Putin accused of unleashing terrifying weapon on Ukraine's civilians

Russia has been accused by a Ukrainian official of deploying a horrific weapon against civilians, as fears heighten over what lengths Vladimir Putin will go to after a disastrous start to his invasion of Ukraine.

A staunch resistance from the Ukrainian population, as well as overwhelming condemnation and sanctions from the western world, has meant Russia's attack has faced a surprisingly defiant response.

"You can see where the incursions are taking place and the intent of the Russian forces. Clearly, they are frustrated by the resistance on the ground and have underestimated the strength of that resistance," Australia's defence minister Peter Dutton said during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

"As the Russians ramp up their activities, we know from history that Russian troops can be particularly brutal.

"I think people should brace themselves for what we will see out of Ukraine in the coming days and weeks," Mr Dutton continued.

"It's a human tragedy unfolding already and it's only going to compound."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also warned that the Russian president could soon get desperate, saying an "an even more violent response" was possible from the increasingly isolated autocrat.

"Anyone who thinks the Russian government is just going to sit there, I think doesn't understand the intent and the outrageous objectives of president Putin," Mr Morrison said.

Putin accused of using vacuum bomb

Human rights groups and Ukraine's ambassador to the United States overnight accused Russia of attacking Ukrainians with cluster bombs and vacuum bombs.

The horrifying weapons have been condemned by a variety of international organisations. In particular, the horrific vacuum bombs are strongly opposed as they suck all surrounding oxygen into the blast and can cause awful internal injuries, especially to the lungs.

Such weapons typically produce a blast wave of a significantly longer duration than that of conventional explosives and are capable of vaporising human bodies.

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Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, told reporters after meeting with members of the US Congress that Russia had used a vacuum bomb, or thermobaric weapon, in its invasion of her country.

"They used the vacuum bomb today," Ms Markarova said after a meeting with lawmakers.

"The devastation that Russia is trying to inflict on Ukraine is large."

On Tuesday, the White House said it was so far unable to verify the claim.

However CNN reported that one of its teams had spotted a Russian thermobaric multiple rocket launcher near the Ukrainian border early on Saturday afternoon (local time). Unverified footage posted online appears to corroborate the claim while some videos appear to show the use of a vacuum bomb in Ukraine.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said she had seen reports but did not have confirmation Russia had used such weapons.

"If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime," she told a press briefing.

Russia accused of war crimes at the United Nations

Ukraine's ambassador to the UN overnight told a meeting of the group's security council that Vladimir Putin was already committing atrocities.

"Let me say that again, so that you can see this image in your mind. Russia is attacking hospitals, mobile aid brigades and ambulances," he said.

"This is the action of a state with illegitimate security concern, this is the action of a state determined to kill civilians. There is no debate. These are war crimes."

Meanwhile the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has announced that he plans to open an investigation into whether Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine.

with Reuters

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