Russian forces have allegedly used catastrophic thermobaric warheads to blast Ukrainian positions - and the defending military is now calling for NATO to urgently supply it with similar weapons.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the Russians used a TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher to strike at Ukrainian targets near Novomykhailivka in the eastern region of Donetsk Oblast.
The horrendous 30-barrel or 24-barrel multiple rocket launcher is capable of firing thermobaric warheads, a type of explosive that uses oxygen in the surrounding area to generate a high-temperature blast.
Ukraine has described Moscow's invasion the "largest and most horrific war of the 21st century" and appealed to NATO to supply its forces with similar Multiple Launch Rocket Systems as a matter of urgency.
Speaking on Friday, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry said: "Russian TOS-1s shelling Ukrainian positions near Novomykhailivka, Donetsk region.
"This is what the largest and most horrific war of the 21st century looks like. Ukraine is ready to strike back. To do this, we need NATO-style MLRS [Multiple Launch Rocket Systems]. Immediately!"
Dr Marcus Hellyer, senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the thermobaric weapons were effective at their "specific purpose" of "primarily destroying defensive positions".
Speaking to the Guardian, he added: "They are not illegal even though their effects can be pretty horrific, because of that effect of creating a vacuum and sucking the air out of the lungs of defenders."
As his barbarism heats up, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that makes it easier for Ukrainians in occupied areas to become citizens of Russia.
The Kremlin has also done away with the upper age limit for contractual service in its military in a bid to sign more of its citizens up to fight in Ukraine.
Since February 24 the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 29,600 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,315 tanks, 3,235 armoured fighting vehicles, 617 artillery systems, 201 multiple launch rocket systems, 93 anti-aircraft systems, 206 warplanes, 170 helicopters, 2,225 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 502 unmanned aerial vehicles, 47 units of special equipment, and 114 cruise missiles.
In other developments, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces have attacked over 40 towns in the eastern Donbas region.
They added that five civilians died, 12 were wounded and 47 civilian sites were destroyed or damaged in the latest attacks.
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