Russia has dropped thermobaric bombs in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian ambassador in Washington, Oksana Markarova, after meetings in the United States Congress to explain the situation in her country in the midst of the Russian invasion.
The use of this type of weapon demonstrates, Markarova assures, the “devastation” that Moscow seeks in the neighboring country, although He has not given details about where they would have been used.
The diplomat has remarked that this type of weapon “are prohibited by the Geneva convention” so his employment underlines that the “devastation” that Russia is seeking in Ukraine is “great”, according to statements collected by the US network Fox.
Markorava has therefore requested more weapons and military assistance after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Saturday the approval of $350 million in additional equipment for Ukraine, including Javalin man-portable anti-tank missiles. After the meeting, the US senators stressed Washington’s commitment to Ukraine.
“Proud to speak with Ambassador Markarova and tell her that the Senate will continue to support and accelerating lethal assistance to Ukraine, and keeping up the pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to end this unjustified war,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.
What are thermobaric or vacuum pumps?
These are explosives that can have devastating effects on the civilian population, since they generate a large shock wave that consumes oxygen and can cause death by suffocation.
Specific, generate a cloud of fuel that mixes with oxygen and, when detonated, the combustion consumes the oxygen, creating a high-temperature explosion.
This type of weaponry has already been used by Russia in other previous armed conflicts, although they are prohibited by the Geneva Conventionsthe four international agreements that regulate international humanitarian law.
After months of tensions, Russia launched five days ago a military operation in Ukraine which has left at least 102 dead and 304 civilians injured, according to the United Nations Office for Human Rights, although the Ukrainian authorities raise the death toll to 352.
In addition, 422,000 Ukrainians have had to leave their country, to which must be added more than 100,000 internally displacedaccording to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Source: Lasexta
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