Russia itself has stated that it used so-called thermobaric weapons during the war in Ukraine.

On Thursday, The Times reported that the Ukrainian military seized one of the Russian weapon systems and then used it against the Russians.

- I do not doubt that for a second, says Rein Pella.

The weapons system, which is not illegal under the Geneva Convention, was developed in the 1980s by Russia.

It can be used in several different forms, such as armor shots, grenade launchers, anti-tank robots and artillery.

- The artillery pieces are extra evil because it is a large surface target weapon that has a hundred times greater explosive power than the individual rocket rifles, says Rein Pella.

Creates a vacuum

The weapons are very effective against targets located in or around buildings.

This is because the pressure wave that occurs in an efficient way enters difficult-to-reach spaces.

The rockets are filled with an explosive charge and a combustible powder.

- When you blow up the center explosive charge, you heat up the powder so that it spreads out.

Because it is so hot, it starts to burn in the air.

Then you get a very large heat and a large pressure wave, says Rein Pella.

- When the pressure wave itself disappears, a vacuum arises.

This is what makes them called vacuum bombs.

You are exposed to a negative pressure that can cause damage to the lungs and eardrums.

Surprised by the use

Images from the war often show how the thermobaric rockets are fired via the TOS-1A mobile weapons system.

But its use in Ukraine surprises Rein Pella.

- The rocket artillery is more of a breakthrough weapon to attack through a line of defense.

Then you line up a number of pieces and shoot so that you destroy the position, then you can attack with armored units through the hole you hit, he says.

- Here they have chosen to distribute a carriage to each unit.

The union leaders probably do not even know what this is.

In all the pictures you can see that a carriage is advancing itself.

They have certainly succeeded in terrorizing people with it, but they have certainly not gained any decisive importance.

The weapon has been used completely incorrectly.