Topline

Russia has confirmed the use of a thermobaric weapon system in Ukraine, according to the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense, but it wasn’t immediately clear how the devastating weapons—illegal when used against civilians—are being used in the war.





The TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Sunheat) heavy flamethrower system fires during a show at a shooting range ... [+] in Alabino, outside of Moscow, on June 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)


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Key Facts



The Ministry of Defense tweeted Wednesday afternoon its Russian counterpart had confirmed use of the Russian TOS-1A Heavy Flamethrower weapon system in Ukraine.




The system allows rockets with thermobaric warheads to be launched from tanks, which suck oxygen from surrounding air to create a high-temperature explosion upon detonation.




Thermobaric weapons can cause significantly more damage over a much broader area than conventional weapons.





It was known Russia had deployed the weapon system into Ukraine, but it was not certain before Wednesday that it had actually been used.







Crucial Quote

"The impact of the TOS-1A is devastating," the Ministry of Defense said in a video. "It can destroy infrastructure, and cause significant damage to internal organs and flash burns, resulting in death to those exposed."






Key Background

The use of thermobaric weapons is not banned but is heavily regulated under international law. Use against civilians, or military targets that could endanger the civilian population, is banned under the Geneva Convention. It's believed Russia used thermobaric weapons in its campaign against the Chechen capital Grozny in late 1999 and early 2000, and also in Syria. Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region have also been accused of using thermobaric weapons since declaring independence from Ukraine in 2014.



Further Reading

Russia’s TOS-1 Heavy Flamethrower Lobs Brutal Thermobaric Rockets At Close Range (Forbes)

Source: Forbes

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