Russia-Ukraine War: What Are Thermobaric Weapons? And Why Should They Be Banned
NDTV
Russia-Ukraine War: Devastating thermobaric weapons may have been used. They create an oxygen-eating fireball followed by a deadly shockwave, are far more powerful than most other conventional weapons.
Russian forces in Ukraine may have used thermobaric weapons and cluster bombs, according to reports from the Ukraine government and human rights groups. Those near the ignition point are obliterated. Those at the fringe are likely to suffer many internal, thus invisible injuries, including burst eardrums and crushed inner ear organs, severe concussions, ruptured lungs and internal organs, and possibly blindness.
If true, this represents an escalation in brutality that should alarm us all.
While cluster munitions are banned by international convention, thermobaric munitions – also known as fuel-air explosive devices, or “vacuum bombs” – are not explicitly prohibited for use against military targets.
These devastating devices, which create an oxygen-eating fireball followed by a deadly shockwave, are far more powerful than most other conventional weapons.