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The Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, Oksana Makarova alleged Russia of using a vacuum bomb. The Russian terrifying invasion of Ukraine is continuous as hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers and peaceful people have lost their lives.

Various reports have indicated that the attack was designed to destroy army bases in Ukraine. Russian forces have destroyed an army base and a bomb blast killed more than 70 Ukrainian soldiers.

However, the use of a vacuum bomb hasn’t yet been independently confirmed. But, a recent report of CNN has confirmed Russian military vehicles carrying thermo-baric (vacuum bomb) rocket launchers near the border of Ukraine.

How does a Vacuum Bomb work?

The thermo-baric weapon (vacuum bomb) works in 2 stages. The first stage includes the release of a massive cloud of flammable material. It normally includes fuel or small flakes of metal supposedly aluminum.

The second stage involves a huge explosion that burns this material to create massive shock waves and fireballs. It is similar to an accidental dust explosion in flour mills or coal mines. The inflammable fragments become more scattered and generate a massive blast after catching fire.

The vacuum bombs or thermo-baric weapons are more destructive because the explosion absorbs all oxygen in the affected area. The explosion leaves victims with the inability to breathe near their surroundings and puts people to death by choking and suffocation.

It is noteworthy that huge pressure from the explosion can potentially wound a person to death. It can also cause critical internal damage to organs in the human body like fracturing or busting the lungs. The vacuum bomb can cause much more destructive and severe effects compared to a conventional bomb.

Vacuum bombs destroy Human Organs

The thermo-baric bomb explosion lasts longer and develops at a much higher temperature. These bombs can destroy large areas of land such as buildings and various solid infrastructures as a result. The explosion can also absorb oxygen from a human body creating extreme heat.

The vacuum bombs often use highly toxic materials and make the bombs used as chemical weapons. These deadly weapons have different variations in size. Its large versions are effective and similar to small strategic nuclear devices.

It is noteworthy that the United States used vacuum bombs in the Gulf war in 1991. Multiple reports had confirmed that those bombs were detonated nuclear weapons because they generated huge explosions with massive destruction.

But the vacuum bombs are not considered more effective against heavy armor targets, so these devices might not be used against tanks. These devices are designed to destroy infrastructure as well as kill civilians and troops.

More Powerful Thermo-Baric Bomb

The recently reported Russian use of vacuum bombs raises critical legal concerns. Makarova said the reported attack of vacuum bombs is a violation of the Geneva conventions.

Moreover, the press secretary of the White House Jen Psaki pointed out that it would be considered a potential international war crime. But it is yet to confirm if the allegations are true about the Russian use of cluster bombs. It shouldn’t be considered the first time the Russian government is operating these devices.

The Human Rights Watch also condemned the use of vacuum bombs from Russia against Chechnya in 1999. These weapons massively killed and injured people in a brutal manner. It is important that Russia also tested the largest ever vacuum (thermo-baric) bomb in 2007 and used it in Syria.