Russian army uses thermobaric bombs to attack enemy military targets

According to the released video, the ODAB-1500 thermobaric bomb hit a building where Ukrainian soldiers were believed to be stationed. According to estimates by the Russian Defense Ministry, the massive explosion caused by the bomb destroyed at least 5 pieces of military equipment in the area and killed more than 40 Ukrainian soldiers.

The ODAB-1500 is a fuel-air explosive (FAE) bomb developed by Russia in the 1980s. These bombs are also known as thermobaric weapons and are designed to create a highly destructive explosion. The bomb works by dispersing a cloud of flammable gas, which then ignites and creates a large explosion. This explosion consumes all available oxygen in the surrounding area, creating a vacuum that can cause an equally destructive secondary explosion.

ODAB-1500 is designed to target fortified positions, tunnels, trenches and buildings or heavy combat vehicles.

ODAB-1500 has a diameter of 0.5 m, a length of 4.5 m and a weight of about 1,500 kg. The bomb can be deployed from aircraft such as the Su-24 or Su-34. It approaches the target using a combination of inertial and laser guidance systems.

The Russian Aerospace Forces began deploying ODAB-1500 bombs equipped with the UMPC universal and correction module, which helps convert conventional bombs into high-precision guided bombs, in the special military operation in Ukraine since the beginning of this year.

UMPCs were initially used with smaller high explosive bombs such as the FAB-250 or FAB-500, but they later began to be fitted to specialized bombs, including the ODAB-1500 thermobaric bomb and the RBK-500 cluster bomb.

This year, these modules have been adapted to accommodate larger munitions, such as the FAB-3000 bomb weighing up to 3 tons.

Quynh Nhu

According to RT