Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumUkraine's 'dragon drones' rain molten metal on Russian positions in latest terrifying battlefield innovation
Ukraine appears to be calling on a fleet of fire-spewing dragon drones in its war with Russian invaders, putting a modern twist on a munition used to horrific effect in both world wars.
A series of videos posted on social media, including on Telegram from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Wednesday, show the low-flying drones dropping torrents of fire actually molten metal onto Russian-held positions in tree lines.
The white-hot mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide, called thermite, burns at temperatures up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius). It can quickly burn off trees and vegetation giving cover to Russian troops, if not killing or disabling the troops outright.
As it falls from the drone, the thermite resembles the fire coming from the mouth of the mythical dragon, giving the drones their nickname.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-s-dragon-drones-rain-molten-metal-on-russian-positions-in-latest-terrifying-battlefield-innovation/ar-AA1q96wC
Lovie777
(14,889 posts)RandySF
(70,400 posts)captain queeg
(11,780 posts)I think they still use them. Nasty stuff.
2naSalit
(92,449 posts)Use white phosphorus on Ukrainians. It's also been used in Gaza.
captain queeg
(11,780 posts)Not sure how it was done. I think it ignites when exposed to air (phosphorous).
2naSalit
(92,449 posts)I just know that it burns everything it touches.
Nictuku
(3,857 posts)I saw this the other day, you had to pick my jaw up off of the ground.
Normally, I would be very much against such a weapon. The destruction of the forests alone. I live in a high fire area and the thought of such a thing around here makes me shiver!
The Russians have already been using this, but they drop it (from a plane?) very high up, and tons and tons of it, covering miles and miles of areas. This weapon is more focused, and it definitely is effective against wooden trench warefare.
I can't imagine the pure terror the Russian soldiers (if you can call them that) must have felt when this thing first showed itself to them.
All I can do is Wish for humans to seek peace instead of war with each other. Sometimes I feel like I belong to a different race. I have a hard time killing bugs when necessary.
*sigh*
EarnestPutz
(2,569 posts)......need to use them, and the Russians already are, we accept it and move on.
Nictuku
(3,857 posts)jrandom421
(1,048 posts)Last edited Sun Sep 8, 2024, 12:58 AM - Edit history (1)
Tell me how thermite is any different than napalm.