Russia, which started a large-scale ‘operation’ within the borders of Ukraine on the night of February 23 to February 24, caused a great destruction in Ukraine. This war, in which thousands of soldiers and Ukrainian civilians lost their lives on both sides, does not progress according to the laws of war, according to the newly shared information.
Many images from Ukraine showed Russia deploying the TOS-1 weapon system, which launches thermobaric rockets, which it is forbidden to use under normal circumstances. While it was suspected that this weapon system was used against Ukraine, a statement confirming the suspicions came today.
Russia uses weapons illegally:
According to the post by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, the Russian Ministry of Defense states that the TOS-1A weapon system is used in Ukraine confirmed. In addition, the Ministry also shared a video showing how this weapon system has a place within the framework of the rules.
Russia is prohibited from using these weapons under current conditions:
- Russian TOS-1A weapon system, which is said to have been captured by the Ukrainian army
Thermobaric rockets, which cause a very high temperature explosion by taking advantage of the oxygen around them, are not actually weapons that are illegal to use. However, its legal uses are very limited. According to the laws of war, these weapons cannot be used against any military target if the lives of civilians are in danger. Likewise, weapons cannot be used if the damage they cause is greater than the military advantage gained or if they cause unnecessary pain.
So what effect does this weapon system have?
Thermobaric weapon, which is a type of weapon operating with heat-based pressure, can create a destructive power equivalent to a small atomic bomb with the pressure it creates. As a result of the explosion occurring in the air, a very high temperature is produced. The rocket first releases an explosive substance into the air where it falls, and then this explosive substance is activated with the second explosion. This weapon type
- has a longer detonation time than conventional detonation,
- Causes extensive damage and serious injury and death, especially in confined areas,
- Can destroy infrastructures ,
- May cause great damage to internal organs,
- Even if the bomb does not detonate, it causes severe burns and inhalation of burning fuel with flammable material emitted around.
- Kills especially with pressure wave,
- Tears lungs with vacuum effect,
- It can cause effects such as rupture of eardrums, crushed inner ear organs, severe concussion and blindness,
- Because the shock and pressure waves cause minimal damage to the brain tissue, the people around him may not lose consciousness from the explosion and may feel the pain in full for a few seconds or minutes. (DIA – US defense intelligence organization)
- Literally turns those close to the point of explosion into steam. (CIA)
Russia is not the only country to use this weapon illegally
About four years ago, the UK Ministry of Defense announced that it had ‘accidentally’ used thermobaric bombs in Syria via its drones. It was also claimed that Apache-type helicopters of the United Kingdom Air Force used such weapons in Afghanistan.
Test video showing how terrifying the effect of TOS-1