Ukraine appears to be using a flotilla of flamethrowers " ;dragon drones" in the war with Russia. A series of videos posted on social media, including a clip on the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Telegram channel on Wednesday, showed low-flying drones raining down a barrage of fire on positions of Russian forces nestled in trees. In fact, it is about molten metal, CNN reported.
The red-hot mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide, called "thermite", burns at temperatures up to 2200 degrees Celsius. It can quickly incinerate trees and other vegetation used for cover by Russian forces, as well as directly kill or incapacitate soldiers.
When the molten metal is released from the drones, it looks like fire spewed by a dragon, hence the nickname "dragon drones".
"The Termite" it can easily burn almost anything, including metal. It was discovered by a German chemist in 1890 and was originally used to weld railroad tracks. Its usefulness in military operations soon became apparent. It was used by Germany in World War I when it was dropped in the form of Zeppelin bombs over Britain. In the Second World War, it was already used by both sides in the conflict. The use of "termite" with drones, however, is defined by experts as innovative. The American army used "termite" in grenades.
According to the British anti-war organization Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), Ukraine has previously used "thermite" with drones to destroy Russian tanks. The mixture is dropped directly through the hatches of the armored vehicles, where it quickly ignites and destroys everything inside.
The UN disarmament office says incendiary weapons can cause serious destruction and environmental damage. The fires they cause are difficult to predict and contain.
Under international law, "the termite" it is not prohibited for use in combat during war, but its use against civilian targets is not allowed because of the terrible damage it causes to the human body.