A deadly new weapon has taken to the skies in the Russia-Ukraine war. Both sides have posted visuals of drones appearing to rain down fire — earning this weapon the moniker of “dragon drone”.
About Dragon Drones:
Dragon drones essentially release a substance called thermite — a mixture of aluminium and iron oxide — developed a century ago to weld railroad tracks.
Working
When ignited (usually with the help of an electrical fuse), thermite triggers a self-sustaining reaction that is quite difficult to extinguish.
It can burn through almost anything, from clothes to trees to military-grade vehicles, and can even burn underwater.
On humans, it causes severe, possibly fatal, burns and bone damage.
Combining thermite with high-precision drones that can bypass traditional defences makes dragon drones ‘highly effective’ and ‘dangerous’
In recent times these dragon drones are believed to have been first deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war around September.
International regulation
The use of thermite in war is not prohibited under international law.
However, the use of such incendiary weapons against civilian targets is barred under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons — Cold War-era guidance issued under the auspices of the United Nations.
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