There have been recent rumors suggesting that Russia may have used the “Father of All Bombs,” the ODAB-9000, in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Apparently able to produce an explosion equivalent to 44 tons of TNT, this bomb is thought to be the most potent non-nuclear weapon in Russia’s arsenal. It can cause a gigantic shockwave that can completely destroy big areas. A video uploaded on Telegram purports to show the bomb striking the village of Vovchansk, causing anxiety, according to the Ukrainian news agency InsiderUA.
Nevertheless, contradicting data has surfaced. A pro-Ukrainian channel denied the use of the ODAB-9000, suggesting that it was likely the smaller ODAB-3000 thermobaric bomb instead. The matter has become more complex due to the dissemination of false material purportedly from Russian sources. The International Review of the Red Cross states that the deployment of thermobaric bombs, commonly referred to as “vacuum bombs,” in civilian areas may be considered a war crime because they burn oxygen to produce powerful explosions.
The claims were refuted by Colonel Vitalii Sarantsev, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Kharkiv Operational and Tactical Group, who stressed that such a bomb as the ODAB-9000 would require a strategic bomber like the Tu-160 and this has not been identified in the region. He urged the media to verify information before spreading Russian propaganda, warning that what happened in Vovchansk might be just a smaller munition explosion.
Ukrainian officials have already denied the allegations claiming that the use of ODAB-9000 is marking its first combat deployment, considering such allegations part of the information war aimed at creating fear and confusion among the populace. To date, the only confirmed footage of an explosion for an ODAB-9000 goes back to the year 2007, the current claims remain unverified.