The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed the use of vacuum bombs in Ukraine. UK Defence Ministry has tweeted that Russia has confirmed that it has used TOS-1A weapon system, also known as vacuum bomb, against Ukraine that it invaded on February 24.
Earlier, Ukraine had also pointed out that Russia was using the thermobaric weapons system.
The TOS-1A uses thermobaric rockets creating incendiary and blast effects. They are capable of vaporising human bodies.
Vacuum bombs suck in oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion. The produce a blast wave of a significantly longer duration than that of a conventional explosive.
Also known as an aerosol bomb, it is a two-stage munition. The first charge distributes aerosols made up of very fine material from a carbon-based fuel. The second charge ignites that cloud creating a shock wave sucking up the oxygen and making a vacuum around its target.
Experts say vacuum bombs could be a very destructive against an apartment complex or other building.