Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine could take a horrifying turn if Vladimir Putin uses thermobaric weapons against the former Soviet territory, worried experts have warned.
Thermobaric weapons are considered to be one of the most brutal war weapons that exist.
The missiles are filled with a highly explosive fuel and chemical mix, which on exploding can cause supersonic blast waves that can obliterate everything in their path, including buildings and humans. They are also known as aerosol bombs or vacuum bombs.
Among the Russian weapons that have been seen moving towards the capital, Kyiv, and other cities are TOS-1 thermobaric rocket launchers. They are not used for precision strikes, but can be deployed for clearing stretches of ground.
Peter Lee, of the University of Portsmouth, explained how these bombs work in 2016, after Russia allegedly used them in Syria.
Recommended Ukraine-Russia latest news: Defiant Zelensky remains in Kyiv What are the issues between Ukraine and Russia? The crisis explained
“Imagine taking a deep breath then submerging yourself in water. Then imagine having all of the oxygen forced instantaneously from your body. Try to inhale again. But instead of cold water filling your lungs, toxic, flammable particles start killing you from the inside out,” he wrote.
Only blasts caused by nuclear attacks are considered worse. Russia has allegedly used these missiles in Chechnya and Syria.
NR Jenzen-Jones, an arms and artillery intelligence specialist, said on Twitter: “Broad range of military equipment seen in RUS [Russian] invasion, including TOS-1 series thermobaric multiple-barrel rocket launchers. Whilst strikes have been relatively limited thus far, the TOS-1 has potential for serious HR [human rights] violations, especially given RUS [Russia] use history (e.g., Chechnya).”
Russian forces have launched coordinated missile and artillery attacks on Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, in Europe’s worst conflict in decades, which was begun by Mr Putin on Thursday. As the world watched events unfold with shock and horror after the Russian president’s announcement of the invasion, leaders condemned the invasion and imposed sanctions on Russia.
Heavy street-fighting against Russian troops was under way in Kyiv by Saturday, as officials urged locals to take immediate shelter. Kyiv was struck by two missiles. As many as 198 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed since the invasion began.
Recommended Ukraine Invasion Coverage Advisory Sorting fact, disinformation after Russian attack on Ukraine BP abandons stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft after Putin orders Ukraine invasion
In his address on Thursday, as he declared war on Ukraine, Mr Putin warned Ukrainians to lay down arms immediately and go home to their families. “All servicemen of the Ukrainian army who comply with this requirement can freely leave the area of military actions and return to their families,” he said.
He followed it with a warning: “Whoever would try to stop us and further create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and lead you to such consequences that you have never faced in your history. We are ready for any outcome.”