What are thermobaric weapons, and does Russia have them in Ukraine?
Also known as “vacuum bombs”, they are fearsomely destructive when used indiscriminately
SINCE RUSSIA invaded Ukraine on February 24th, Ukrainian officials and human-rights organisations have raised the alarm over the possible use of thermobaric weapons or “vacuum bombs”, with horrifying accounts of how they suck the air out of victims’ lungs. On March 9th Britain’s defence ministry said that Russia had confirmed it is using the weapons in Ukraine. How does a thermobaric weapon work, and what role might they play in the war?
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