Everything You Need to Know About, Thermobaric Weapons.
On February 28, Ukraine's ambassador
to the United States, Oksana Markarova,
accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons. .
On February 28, Ukraine's ambassador
to the United States, Oksana Markarova,
accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons. .
The so-called vacuum bombs suck oxygen
from the air to trigger a massive explosion
and cause immense destruction. .
According to NBC, thermobaric weapons
are a type of two-stage munition launched
via a rocket or artillery shell. .
The first charge spreads an aerosol similar
to vaporized gasoline over an area. .
The second charge then ignites the aerosol,
which creates a huge, fiery blast and
generates a massive wave of pressure.
Finally, a destructive vacuum is formed as oxygen
from the surrounding air rushes in to fill the gap. .
NBC reports that vacuum bombs are particularly
devastating to human life, as victims can be killed by
the blast, the shockwave or the subsequent vacuum. .
Though widely condemned by nongovernmental organizations, there are no international laws banning the use of thermobarics in warfare. .
According to NBC, the devastating weapons
have been in development since the 1970s. .
They were used by Russia against Chechnya
in the '90s and most recently by the
United States against Afghanistan in 2017. .
They were used by Russia against Chechnya
in the '90s and most recently by the
United States against Afghanistan in 2017. .
NBC points out that it has yet to be confirmed that
thermobaric weapons have been used in Ukraine. .
However, the accusations add to concerns that Russia has conducted indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas that could constitute war crimes.
