Russia used vacuum bomb in Ukraine
Russia used a vacuum bomb in Ukraine on Monday. The Ukrainian ambassador to the US said this on Monday after a meeting with members of the US Congress. She pointed out that the use of these types of bombs is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions.
A vacuum bomb is a so-called thermobaric weapon, in which oxygen is sucked from the environment to generate an extremely hard explosion and pressure wave. Russia is said to have used this type of bomb before during the war in Chechnya and in Syria.
Meanwhile, according to the US, Russia has deployed about three quarters of the troops previously gathered on the border with Ukraine. Ukraine’s airspace is still said to be out of control of the Russians and many military vehicles have been abandoned due to fuel shortages. Also, the resistance of the Ukrainian army is said to be greater than expected, causing Western intelligence services to according to the BBC fear of heavier attacks in the coming days, with possible more civilian deaths.
Zelensky wants no-fly zone over Ukraine after Russian missile strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Zelensky said during his daily press conference on Monday, reports Reuters news agency. The president did not specify which country should ensure that the no-fly zone is complied with.
“We should consider closing the airspace completely to Russian missiles, planes and helicopters,” Zelensky said. He called the no-fly zone a response to the massive Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv earlier on Monday. According to the president, Russia has carried out 56 missile strikes and fired 113 cruise missiles at targets in Ukraine since the invasion began.
The United States has reacted negatively to Zelensky’s proposal. “A no-fly zone would require implementation,” said White House spokesman Jen Psaki. U.S. military personnel could potentially be deployed to enforce the no-fly zone, which Psaki said could lead to “direct conflict, and potentially war with Russia.”
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