Russia claims ODAB-9000 bomb strike on Vovchansk, media says it's unlikely
Photo: Russia claims ODAB-9000 strike on Vovchansk, but it is unlikely (rosmedia)
A video of an alleged attack by the ODAB-9000 bomb on Vovchansk is circulating online. However, this may be another enemy lie, according to Defense Express.
The video shows an object striking Vovchansk, which eventually causes a huge explosion. The video claimed that this was Russia's first use of the ODAB-9000, the most powerful thermobaric munition available to the Russians. However, the latter is unlikely, as the munition is experimental and has been used only once - in 2007 during a test.
The footage from the test became the basis for a propaganda story. In particular, Russia then claimed that the ODAB-9000 was allegedly more powerful than the American GBU-43/B MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast).
“While GBU-43/B is a high-explosive aerial bomb for destroying complex fortified areas, such as cave shelters, and weighs 9.85 tons, the Russian one is a thermobaric munition with an undisclosed weight. And the name ODAB-9000, which is supposed to indicate the weight, appeared much later and may be an invention of propagandists,” Defense Express adds.
The use of ODAB-9000 by Russian troops, as mentioned above, is questionable. The munition, according to its design, is dropped directly over the target, and the carrier is Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3. This scenario would mean that Russia would have lost its bomber 100%.
In particular, the video shows that it is probably a gliding munition, most likely UMPK, which is produced in Russia for aircraft bombs of 1500 and 3000 kilograms.
In August, Russia used new aircraft bombs during the shelling of the Sumy region.
