Everything You Need to Know About, Thermobaric Weapons.br On February 28, Ukraine's ambassador br to the United States, Oksana Markarova, br accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons. .br On February 28, Ukraine's ambassador br to the United States, Oksana Markarova, br accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons. .br The so-called vacuum bombs suck oxygen br from the air to trigger a massive explosion br and cause immense destruction. .br According to NBC, thermobaric weapons br are a type of two-stage munition launched br via a rocket or artillery shell. .br The first charge spreads an aerosol similar br to vaporized gasoline over an area. .br The second charge then ignites the aerosol, br which creates a huge, fiery blast and br generates a massive wave of pressure.br Finally, a destructive vacuum is formed as oxygen br from the surrounding air rushes in to fill the gap. .br NBC reports that vacuum bombs are particularly br devastating to human life, as victims can be killed by br the blast, the shockwave or the subsequent vacuum. .br Though widely condemned by nongovernmental organizations, there are no international laws banning the use of thermobarics in warfare. .br According to NBC, the devastating weaponsbr have been in development since the 1970s. .br They were used by Russia against Chechnya br in the '90s and most recently by the br United States against Afghanistan in 2017. .br They were used by Russia against Chechnya br in the '90s and most recently by the br United States against Afghanistan in 2017. .br NBC points out that it has yet to be confirmed that br thermobaric weapons have been used in Ukraine. .br However, the accusations add to concerns that Russia has conducted indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas that could constitute war crimes.