What Is A Thermobaric Or Vacuum Bomb? - BBC News

Home » What Is A Vaccum Bomb » What Is A Thermobaric Or Vacuum Bomb? - BBC News

Maybe your like

Skip to content
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Innovation
  • Health
  • Culture
  • Arts
  • Travel
  • Earth
  • Audio
  • Video
  • Live
HomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWhat is a thermobaric or vacuum bomb?10 March 2022ShareSaveShareSave
Getty Images Russian Army TOS-1A "Solntsepyok (Blazing Sun)" multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis seen during the annual Army Games defence technology international exhibition. Moscow 2021/08/25Getty Images
Russia's TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launchers at a defence exhibition in Moscow last year

Russia has used thermobaric weapons - also known as vacuum bombs - in Ukraine, says the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Thermobaric weapons are controversial because they are much more devastating than conventional explosives of similar size, and have a terrible impact on anyone caught in their blast radius.

Has Russia used thermobaric weapons in Ukraine?

In a tweet, the MoD said that Russia had confirmed the use of the TOS-1A weapon system in Ukraine.

It said: "The TOS-1A uses thermobaric rockets, creating incendiary and blast effects." The Russian military calls the units "heavy flamethrowers", which can fire rockets up to 9km.

Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, has also accused Russia of using them in its invasion.

How does a thermobaric bomb work?

A thermobaric bomb (also called a vacuum or aerosol bomb - or fuel air explosive) consists of a fuel container with two separate explosive charges.

This can be launched as a rocket or dropped as a bomb from aircraft. When it hits its target, the first explosive charge opens the container and widely scatters fuel mixture as a cloud.

This cloud can penetrate any building openings or defences that are not totally sealed.

A second charge then detonates the cloud, resulting in a huge fireball, a massive blast wave and a vacuum which sucks up all surrounding oxygen. The weapon can destroy reinforced buildings, equipment and kill or injure people.

Graphic showing how thermobaric weapons work

They are used for a variety of purposes and come in a range of sizes - including weapons for use by individual soldiers such as grenades and hand-held rocket launchers.

Huge air-launched versions have also been designed, specifically to kill defenders in caves and tunnel complexes - the effects of this weapon are at their most severe in enclosed spaces.

In 2003, the US tested a 9,800kg bomb, nicknamed the "Mother of all bombs". Four years later, Russia developed a similar device, the Father of all bombs". This created an explosion equivalent to a 44-tonne conventional bomb - making it the biggest non-nuclear explosive device in the world.

Given their devastating impact, and their usefulness against defenders who are dug in to buildings or bunkers, thermobaric bombs have mainly been used in urban environments.

This is significant given developments on the ground in Ukraine, where Russian forces are trying to take control of the capital, Kyiv, and other main cities in the east of the country.

What are the rules of war for thermobaric bombs?

There are no international laws specifically banning their use, but if a country uses them to target civilian populations in built-up areas, schools or hospitals, then it could be convicted of a war crime under the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.

International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan has said his court will investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine.

Where have they been used before?

Thermobaric munitions can be traced back to World War Two, when they were initially used by the German army. They were not widely developed until the 1960s, when the US used them in Vietnam.

Getty Images Smoke rising after bombs explode in the Tora Bora mountains of Afghanistan, 2001Getty Images
US forces used thermobaric bombs in Afghanistan

The US also used them in Afghanistan. First, in 2001 to try to destroy al-Qaeda forces hiding in the caves of the Tora Bora mountains, and in 2017, against Islamic State forces.

Russia used them in its war in Chechnya in 1999 and was condemned by Human Rights Watch for doing so.

Russian-made thermobaric weapons were reportedly used in the Syrian civil war by the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

line

Russia attacks Ukraine: More coverage

  • LIVE: Latest updates from on the ground
  • THE BASICS: Why is Putin invading Ukraine?
  • RUSSIA SANCTIONS: 'If I could leave, I would'
  • UKRAINE: Desperate scenes in Lviv train station
  • IN DEPTH: Full coverage of the conflict
line
Russia-Ukraine warMilitaryUkraineRelated

Russia oil imports 'point of irritation' in India-US ties, says Rubio

More from the BBC36 mins agoComposite image of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian president Vladimir Putin

Russia, Ukraine and US to hold trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi

The meeting between the three countries comes as both Ukraine and Russia say no peace deal can be reached until territorial issues are resolved.

36 mins ago2 days agoJonathan Carley dressed as an admiral gives a salute. He wears a white hat, navy jacket, white shirt and tie. On his chest are a series of medals hung by colourful ribbons.

The secret group exposing bogus veterans like the fake admiral

How a secretive group of ex-services personnel investigate military imposters.

2 days ago2 days agoA missile is shot down over residential buildings in Kyiv

Ukraine's parliament and half of Kyiv with no heating after Russian strikes

President Zelensky says Russia has started using "far more" ballistic missiles in its attacks on Ukraine.

2 days ago3 days agoA man with grey t-shirt and black jacket stands in a church hall. Tables and chairs and candles can be seen in the background.

Used candles turned into stoves for Ukraine

Mark Stevens has supplied thousands of candles to war damaged areas of Ukraine.

3 days ago5 days agoA picture of a number of knitted items. There are different colours, shapes and patterns.

Ukraine baby hat appeal temporarily on pause

The appeal is temporarily on pause due to a logistical issue, bosses say.

5 days ago

Tag » What Is A Vaccum Bomb