Ukraine has developed a new weapon known as “dragon drones” that may be used to spew molten metal on Russian forces.
Several films circulating on social media platforms, including one shared by the Ukrainian defence ministry on Telegram, depict the low-flying drones dumping torrents of fire actually molten metal over Russian-held positions in wooded regions.
Thermite, a white-hot combination of iron oxide and aluminum powder, burns at temperatures as high as 2,200 degrees Celsius (4,000 degrees Fahrenheit). According to a CNN story, it has the ability to quickly burn trees and other foliage that gives Russian forces cover, if not actually killing or crippling them.
Metal is among the almost everything that thermite can burn through with ease, leaving little resistance.
During World War I, the Germans utilized thermomite bombs thrown from zeppelins over Britain. During World War II, thermite was utilized by both Germany and the Allies in their aerial bombs. It was also used to destroy captured artillery pieces by melting the weapon from the inside out by inserting the thermite into the breech.
Incendiary weapons come in various forms; some examples are napalm and white phosphorus, among others, like thermite.
“Incendiary weapons are weapons or munitions designed to set fire to objects or cause burn or respiratory injury to people through the action of flame, heat, or combination thereof, resulting from a chemical reaction of a flammable substance such as napalm or white phosphorus,” United Nations Office for Disarmament website says.
The website further says, “The use of incendiary weapons is heavily interlinked with concerns over the respect of international humanitarian law, particularly the prohibition of weapons that cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering and regulations to protect civilians from the effects of hostilities.”
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