Of great concern are the growing allegations that Russia is using thermobaric and cluster bombs in Ukraine, weapons that have been condemned by many international organizations.
According to Reuters, both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have complained that Russian forces appear to have used the widely banned cluster bombs. Amnesty International even points out that the Russians also attacked a kindergarten in north-eastern Ukraine in which civilians had taken refuge.
Video circulating online allegedly shows a thermobaric bomb exploding in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian media:
Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oxana Markarova denounced to a reporter after meeting with members of the US Congress that Russia used a thermobaric bomb during its invasion of her country.
"They used the thermobaric bomb today (yesterday, Monday), which is prohibited under the Geneva Convention," Markarova said, adding that "the destruction that Russia is trying to cause in Ukraine is great."
That Russian forces dropped a thermobaric bomb was also stated on Monday by the mayor of the city of Oktirka, Pavlo Kuzmenko. As reported by the Kiev Independent, this type of weapon is known as the deadliest non-nuclear bomb, which causes explosions that produce enormous temperatures.
According to Reuters, the thermobaric bomb "sucks" oxygen from the air in order to cause a very high temperature explosion, which usually produces a shock wave much longer than conventional explosives and is capable of disintegrating human bodies.
At present, it has not been officially confirmed that thermobaric weapons have been used in the conflict in Ukraine. The White House spokeswoman, however, pointed out that if the allegations are eventually proven to be true, the use [OF THESE WEAPONS] may constitute a war crime.
Source.gr
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