Russia Tests World's Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb

Concerns about a new Cold War and arms race heat up as Russia exploded the world's biggest non-nuclear bomb, a thermobaric bomb nicknamed "the father of all bombs." While US authorities knew they had the technology, they had absolutely no idea that Russia would be testing it out, which causes some concern. It is not known when Russia tested the bomb, as no indication was given in the video, and the devices military name was also not revealed.

The bomb was filmed being dropped from a strategic bomber and exploding into a massive fireball. It then showed the after-effects of the bomb's wrath - debris from apartment buildings and armoured vehicles at the testing range, and a huge burnt spot in the ground.

Russia's big bomb is reportedly four times more powerful than the US's Massive Ordnance Air Blast, which is nicknamed the "mother of all bombs." Russia's would be suitable for targeting specific areas more accurately than nuclear bombs, and is considered an immediate threat to "problem" areas such as Chechnya.

A source close to the US National Security Council said it was a "matter of concern" that Russia would develop such a large and deadly weapon at a time when there was no obvious need to do so, adding that the US would ask for an explanation. The source also said that there was "no chance" that the US would become embroilled in a new arms race with Russia, and that the US had no use for any bombs larger than what they already own.

Russia's "father of all bombs", when dropped, would cause deafness within a four-mile range, and kill all human life within three miles. It contains 7 tons of secret explosives, which is equivalent to 11 tons of TNT.

Alexander Rukshin, the Russian deputy armed forces chief of staff, told Russia's state ORT First Channel television:

"Test results of the new airborne weapon have shown that its efficiency and power is commensurate with a nuclear weapon. You will now see it in action, the bomb which has no match in the world is being tested at a military site."

The same report was later shown on the state-sponsored Vesti channel.