Russian weapons capable of inflicting mass casualties spotted in Ukraine

With Ukraine troops and reservists offering fierce resistance to Russian invaders, Russian leader Vladimir Putin appears to be ordering a new, deadlier phase of his war with multiple sightings of thermobaric rocket launchers, according to reports.

A Russian thermobaric multiple rockets launcher was spotted near Belgorod near Russia’s border with Ukraine on Saturday afternoon, CNN reported. The weapons are capable of launching so-called “vacuum bombs” that suck out the oxygen in the area where they are deployed in order to create a powerful explosion.

“Those near the ignition point are obliterated,” according to a CIA study on the effects of the weapons. “Those at the fringe are likely to suffer many internal, thus invisible injuries, including burst eardrums and crushed inner ear organs, severe concussions, ruptured lungs and internal organs, and possibly blindness.”

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In addition to the thermobaric warheads, intelligence officials cited by Britain’s Independent newspaper said they have seen a 27M Malka 203mm heavy self-propelled howitzer and 2S4 Tyulpan 240 mm heavy self-propelled mortars which can be used on large buildings to inflict maximum damage.