Russia used the ODAB-1500 heavy air bomb in Ukraine for the first time – BILD

Russian forces used the ODAB-1500 bomb in Ukraine, namely in the Sumy region, BILD reports.

Enemy troops dropped a heavy volumetric detonating aircraft bomb (ODAB-1500) on the town of Velyka Pysarivka, the Sumy region.

Julian Röpke, BILD's open data analysis expert, showed a 1 km high cloud of smoke in the sky after the bomb's hit.

The bomb is a thermobaric projectile from the Soviet era that releases a flammable liquid in the form of an aerosol about 10 meters before hitting the target and sets it on fire.

"This is called a volumetric explosion. Such a munition has a greater destructive power than the classic one. Previously, the Russian forces used ODABs, of the smallest weight: from 170 to 500 kg."

Röpke called the use of a 1.5-ton bomb in a populated area "a new bottom in Russia's war against Ukrainian cities."

On March 27, Russian troops attacked Kharkiv with a guided bomb that has not been used in the two years since the invasion's start.

The Kharkiv Regional Military Command reported a 30-cm caliber munition can fly up to 90 km.

The attack damaged 14 high-rise buildings and an educational institution, causing a casualty and wounding at least 18, including a child.

Natalia Humeniuk, a military spokesperson said that Russian forces are actively modernizing the aircraft bombs to attack Ukrainian regions, but it does not use them on all frontlines.