One of the most feared Russian weapons in the world is the thermobaric bomb. During the invasion of Ukraine, this bomb was brought by Russia to Ukraine.
Quoted from The Guardian on Sunday (27/2/2022), in a video recorded by CNN crew, Russia can be seen transporting a heavy TOS-1 launcher system towards the Ukrainian border, Saturday (26/2/2022).
There is also a video on Twitter of a TOS-1A carrying a thermobaric weapon passing through Tokmak, southern Ukraine.
The TOS-1 has the nickname Buratino, the Russian version of Pinocchio, because of its large nose. The dual launch system is mounted on the chassis of the T-72 tank which is capable of firing thermobaric rockets using oxygen from the surrounding air to produce high-temperature explosions.
The TOS-1 was first used by the Soviet military in Afghanistan, and most recently in Syria. The deployment of the thermobaric bomb comes as Russian forces and their separatist allies have deployed the BM-21 Grad dual-propelled rocket system in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Thermobaric bombs were also seen deployed in the vicinity of Kharkiv, where photos of the destroyed BM-21 and the death of a Russian soldier appeared. What is a thermobaric weapon?
Quoted from ABC Australia on Sunday (27/2/2022), thermobaric weapons come in a variety of sizes, from rocket-propelled grenades for close combat, to large versions that can be used from aircraft.
Thermobaric weapons -- also known as air bombs, fuel bombs, and vacuum bombs -- are said to be much more powerful than conventional explosives. Its burning time is longer, thus increasing its destructive capacity.
Due to their explosive nature, thermobaric bombs are effective in open areas as well as confined spaces such as bunkers, caves and urban areas. The Russia vs Ukraine war took place in urban areas, so there was a possibility of using a thermobaric bomb.
So, what is Russia's new weapon thermobaric bomb?
Not. The idea of making this weapon has been around since World War II, but it was only recently that it was deployed. American troops also used thermobaric weapons in the Vietnam War, as they were more effective than napalm at clearing forests to land helicopters.
The US also used thermobaric weapons in Afghanistan after the 9/11 incident while hunting for Osama bin Laden in the caves of the mountainous region of Tora Bora.
The thermobaric bomb as a Russian weapon was deployed in the Chechen conflict more than 20 years ago.
