The weapons Russia is using and how Ukraine is countering them

The Russo-Ukraine war has been going on for a month.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Thursday that Russia used phosphorus bombs that killed “adults and children”. As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Russia is using more and more dangerous and deadly weapons to succeed in an attack launched almost a month ago. The Ukrainian military is also vigorously resisting the Russians using weapons provided by the West. Some of these weapons caused serious damage to Russian artillery and tanks.

A look at the weapons used in the Russo-Ukraine War:

phosphorus bomb

The phosphorus bomb produces a large amount of smoke.
photo credit: rep/Reuters

Phosphorus is a substance used by armies around the world to make smoke, light, and incendiary weapons. When exposed to air, it burns rapidly and produces a large amount of smoke. Phosphorus is used to mark enemy positions and create a smokescreen to hide troop movements. Zelensky said today that the phosphorus used by the Russian military severely burned the targets when ignited.

kinjal missiles

Russian fighter plane with Kinjal missile.
photo credit: AFP

These are hypersonic missiles used by Russia I Ukraine War. According to the BBC, the Russian Kinzel for “Dagger” was launched from the air by a MiG-31 warplane. Hypersonic missiles can travel at five times the speed of sound or more than Mach 5. According to Russia, Kinjal has a range of 2,000 km. The length of the missile is 8 meters.

9K720 Iskander ballistic missile

Iskander missile used by Russia in Ukraine
photo credit: AFP

These short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) are leading Russian attacks in Ukraine. Iskander has the capability to hit targets 500 km away. These missiles have destroyed homes, hospitals and schools in many cities of Ukraine. The Iskander is a multi-purpose device that comes in different versions – Bunker Buster, Smart Submunition, Thermobaric and even EMP.

“vacuum” bomb

Thermobaric bombs are one of the most brutal war weapons.

Also called thermobaric weapons, these are one of the most brutal war weapons that exist. The bombs are filled with an explosive and chemical mixture, which upon detonation causes supersonic detonation waves. These waves can destroy everything that comes in their way. They are also called vacuum bombs because these explosives suck oxygen from the surrounding air to produce a powerful explosion. Several videos have been posted by Ukrainians showing Russian thermobaric bombs destroying major structures in cities.

cluster bomb

Cluster bombs scatter small bombs over a wide area.
photo credit: representative photo

Russia has been accused of using cluster bombs in an attack on a Ukrainian preschool in which a child was killed. These bombs scatter small bombs over a wide area, which can result in a large number of casualties. They can pose a great danger to the citizens present in the area. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other rights groups have claimed that these bombs were used by Russia in the civil war in Syria. Although an international treaty bans the use of these cluster bombs, Russia is not a signatory.

war plane

Fighters have destroyed Ukrainian airbases and other bases.
photo credit: Reuters

According to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, the Russian military has used 75 fixed-wing bomber aircraft to target Ukrainian airbases and other targets. These aircraft are capable of firing air-to-surface missiles or cluster bombs to cause quick and significant damage to Ukrainians. Apart from these, there are also reports of the use of Mi-8 helicopters.

spear missile

Ukraine’s military has received Javelin missiles from the West.
photo credit: Reuters

US-made anti-tank missiles are in high demand in Ukraine. These weapons are giving the numerically inferior Ukrainian military a chance to wreak havoc on their attackers. The Javelin has been developed by Lockheed Martin, which states on its website that the missile guides itself to the target after launch (a “fire and forget” system), allowing the gunner to take cover and avoid counterfire, or a missile strike. Allows loading of new missiles.

Bayraktar TB2 Drone

Turkish-made Bayraktar drones have been used extensively by Ukrainians.

Another weapon used by the Ukrainian military against the Russians. This is a Turkish-made drone that can stay in the air for 27 hours.

Next Generation Light Anti Tank Weapon (NLAW)

NLAW is very effective in destroying enemy positions at short range.

Weighing just 12.5 kg, the NLAW is a portable, shoulder-launched system that can be used by a single operator. Its armor-piercing weapon can destroy heavily protected modern battle tanks with one shot, and the system is effective at ranges between 20 and 800 metres.

surface-to-air Stinger missile

Ukraine’s military has received Stinger missiles from the US.
photo credit: AFP

The biggest reason why Russia still does not have air superiority in the skies over Ukraine is that this weapon system is supplied by the West. It has taken out several Russian helicopters and has a range of up to 8 km.