New Delhi: Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated once again, with a senior Russian official hinting at the potential use of the world’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb, the “Father of All Bombs” (FOAB), against Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, issued the threat amid growing concerns that Ukraine could soon receive long-range missile capabilities from its Western allies.
Medvedev warned that Moscow could retaliate with devastating force if Ukraine’s allies, including the US and Britain, approve the use of Western long-range missiles against Russian territory. Writing on his Telegram channel, Medvedev cautioned, “You can test someone’s patience only for a short time,” suggesting that Russia could respond with overwhelming military power.
The FOAB, officially known as the Aviation Thermobaric Bomb of Increased Power (ATBIP), weighs approximately 7,100 kg and has an explosive force equivalent to 44 tonnes of TNT. First introduced in 2007, the bomb is regarded as one of the most destructive conventional weapons in existence, often compared to nuclear bombs in its potential for devastation. The bomb’s thermobaric design makes it especially dangerous, as it detonates in the air, maximising its destructive impact over a wide area.
Russia developed the FOAB in response to the United States’ Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), dubbed the “Mother of All Bombs.” Medvedev’s comments are seen as a direct response to reports that Western nations are considering allowing Ukraine to use their missile systems for strikes inside Russia, which has sparked fears of further escalation.
Medvedev may have been referring to the RS-28 Sarmat missile, also known as “Satan II,” which can carry a payload of up to 10 tonnes and is capable of striking targets across international borders. The combination of the Sarmat missile and the FOAB warhead could, according to Medvedev, compel Ukraine to surrender quickly.
While Medvedev’s threats signal a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict, many experts are cautious about the potential fallout of such an attack. The use of the FOAB would likely result in mass destruction, but Moscow appears to be framing it as a proportionate response to potential Ukrainian strikes on Russian cities using Western-supplied missiles.
The conflict, which has already seen immense destruction and loss of life, could reach even more dangerous levels if these threats turn into action, with the international community closely monitoring the situation. As Western allies debate granting Ukraine more advanced weapons, Russia’s warnings indicate that the stakes in the conflict are continuing to rise.
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