Everything You Need to Know About, Thermobaric Weapons.<br />On February 28, Ukraine's ambassador <br />to the United States, Oksana Markarova, <br />accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons. .<br />On February 28, Ukraine's ambassador <br />to the United States, Oksana Markarova, <br />accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons. .<br />The so-called vacuum bombs suck oxygen <br />from the air to trigger a massive explosion <br />and cause immense destruction. .<br />According to NBC, thermobaric weapons <br />are a type of two-stage munition launched <br />via a rocket or artillery shell. .<br />The first charge spreads an aerosol similar <br />to vaporized gasoline over an area. .<br />The second charge then ignites the aerosol, <br />which creates a huge, fiery blast and <br />generates a massive wave of pressure.<br />Finally, a destructive vacuum is formed as oxygen <br />from the surrounding air rushes in to fill the gap. .<br />NBC reports that vacuum bombs are particularly <br />devastating to human life, as victims can be killed by <br />the blast, the shockwave or the subsequent vacuum. .<br />Though widely condemned by nongovernmental organizations, there are no international laws banning the use of thermobarics in warfare. .<br />According to NBC, the devastating weapons<br />have been in development since the 1970s. .<br />They were used by Russia against Chechnya <br />in the '90s and most recently by the <br />United States against Afghanistan in 2017. .<br />They were used by Russia against Chechnya <br />in the '90s and most recently by the <br />United States against Afghanistan in 2017. .<br />NBC points out that it has yet to be confirmed that <br />thermobaric weapons have been used in Ukraine. .<br />However, the accusations add to concerns that Russia has conducted indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas that could constitute war crimes.
