Did the Russian army use "vacuum bombs" in the war against Ukraine?This accusation was made by Oksana Marcarova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, last Monday (28/28/2022).After a meeting with American deputies, Marcarova said: "Today they used a vacuum bomb, which is prohibited under the Geneva Convention."
What are "vacuum bombs"?
Vacancies, which are also called "aerosol bombs", can have a tremendous thermal effect.While most traditional explosive bodies use a mixture of fuel and oxidizing materials to cause an explosion, atmosphere bombs are almost completely made of fuel and depend on the oxygen in the air to cause an explosion, and the micro -fuel atoms are released in the air and then ignited, and after ignition and the resulting pressure result,,The "metal effect" occurs, or more precisely, the negative pressure stage.The explosion absorbs oxygen from the air because the explosive device does not contain its own oxidizing material.
What damage can vacuum bombs be caused?
Vacancies have a terrible destructive power.In this regard, Human Rights Watch cited a report by the CIA about the devastating effects of this type of weapon saying: “Those people close to the ignition point will be destroyed. As for those who are far from it, it is possible that it causesThey have an explosion in many internal injuries and therefore they will not be visible, among them the torn eardrum and severe concussion cases in the brain and the explosion of the lungs and other internal organs, as well as the possibility of blindness.
Are these weapons currently used in the war zone?
The American CNN TV channel reported the vision of a similar weapon on Russian territory in the border region with Ukraine.The channel's correspondent, Frederick Playghan, posted a video of this weapon on Twitter and wrote: "The Russian army released the TOS-1 heavy flame launcher, which launch thermal missiles south of Bulgaroud."
Bilgorod is a Russian city near the Ukrainian border.Frank Zawar from the University of Bondfair (Federal Army) in Munich told DW: "We know that the Russians have similar weapons systems on the spot."
Where is Russia supposed to have used the vacuum bomb?
A vacuum bomb was said to have exploded in the town of Ochrica in the northern Ukraine region.It was said that the photos and videos published on social media channels show the explosion and its results.White House journalist Jane Saki said she had seen similar reports, but she could not yet confirm Russia's use of such weapons."International organizations must now evaluate these matters," she added.
The registration is said to show the destroyed military base near Ochricka in Sumi Oblast
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, also accused the Russian side by using vacuum bombs: Greenfield commented in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, saying: "We have seen videos of the Russian armed forces bringing unusual lethal weapons to UkraineIt should not be present in the battlefield, and these weapons include cluster munitions and vacuum bombs, banned under the Geneva Convention.
What do experts say?
"Based on the pictures coming from Ukraine, I think it is very possible that the air grenades are used there. However, video materials cannot be used to confirm this with certainty," says Frank Zawarab from Bundsfir University in Munich.
And similarly, military expert Gustav Gracel, who was briefed on the illustrated materials provided by DW: "In my opinion, no other weapon, unlike nuclear weapons, will not have this force," adding that "one cannot exclude an explosion," Gracel continues:"But (in this case, a series of bombings would have been likely to be heard."
If reports are confirmed about the use of the vacuum bomb, this will be a war crime and Ukraine can file a case."The possession of weapons systems like this is not prohibited. However, their use in populated areas is a war crime, because these weapons have an impact on vast areas."
Marcus Litke/p.