What Is Vacuum Bomb? Ukraine Accuse Russia Of Using Vacuum Bomb

Vacuum bom, also known as thermobaric weapon, aerosol bomb, or fuel air explosive, is a type of explosive that uses oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion.

In practice, the blast wave typically produced by these weapons lasts significantly longer than that of a conventional condensed explosive.

Russian forces have been accused of using the widely banned and dangerous weapons known as vacuum bombs that “obliterate” their victims.

Amnesty International accused Russia of using vacuum bombs, or thermobaric weapons, to attack a preschool in northeastern Ukraine while civilians took shelter inside.

Reports showed that one of its teams had spotted a Russian thermobaric multiple rocket launcher near the Ukrainian border.

Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, told reporters after meeting with members of the U.S. Congress on Monday that Russia had used a thermobaric weapon.

“They used the vacuum bomb today,” Markarova said after a meeting with lawmakers. “The devastation that Russia is trying to inflict on Ukraine is large.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said she had seen reports but did not have confirmation that Russia had used such weapons. Psaki added that if it’s true, “it would potentially be a war crime.”