Vacuum bomb: Ukraine’s latest worry in fight against Russia

Vacuum and cluster bombs are being used by Russian forces in their invasion of Ukraine, according to Kyiv’s ambassador to the United States. Multiple human rights groups — including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch– also joined Ukraine to make similar claims. 

What is a vacuum bomb?

Vacuum bombs, also commonly known as thermobaric weapons, create a high-temperature explosion when detonated and can easily be fatal to humans. According to various media reports, the bomb sucks in oxygen from the surrounding area, increasing the blast wave’s duration.

Such bombs can also vaporise a human body, according to reports from Reuters.

According to the United States Defense Intelligence Agency, a vacuum bomb can severely burn a victim, who may “also inhale the burning fuel”, Business Today reported. “What kills is the pressure wave, and more importantly, the subsequent rarefaction, which ruptures the lungs, the report added.

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Why is Russia being criticised for its alleged use?

Amnesty International has laid out multiple allegations against Russia for its choice of weapons and targets in Ukraine. A recent report claimed that Russia used cluster munitions in a pre-school in northeastern Ukraine while civilians took shelter inside.

The use of indiscriminate weapons like cluster munitions has been prohibited by international humanitarian law, according to reports from Amnesty International. The human rights group further claimed that such use against civilians is considered to be a war crime.

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How is the world reacting?

The international community currently awaits confirmation on the use of vacuum bombs as Russian authorities have maintained silence on the matter. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said if the allegations are true “it would potentially be a war crime.”

Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States that “the devastation that Russia is trying to inflict on Ukraine is large.”