Ukrainian forces were battling Russians who had taken an advantageous position making it difficult for the Ukranians to push them out of the town of Vovchansk. To counter that, the Ukrainian resistance had to get innovative. Scavenging the fuel tank from a wrecked Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car, reports the Euromaiden Press, the Ukrainian soldiers improvised a non-nuclear hydrogen bomb. The Russians, who were using an aggregate plant and river as cover, could not be approached by soldiers directly.
The bomb, which weighed more than 200 kilograms (thanks to the large amount of explosive attached to the fuel tank), was coupled to a ground transport drone. Jokingly referred to as a “pizza delivery drone,” though it’s actual use was not stated, the drone was driven over a bridge and into the Russian position. Upon detonation, it had the explosive force of over 200 pounds of TNT.
The news report and correlating X posts (including a video overlaid with heavy rock music) of the incident includes footage of the explosion that disrupted the Russian stronghold.
And it turns out, this isn’t the first time something like this has been done. Ukrainian forces use improvised explosives like this Mirai-based hydrogen bomb regularly. This one just happened to involve a hydrogen fuel cell car and a pizza drone.
Aaron is an automotive journalist living in Wyoming, USA. His background includes technology, mechanics, commercial vehicles, and new vehicle evaluations. Aaron is a member of several automotive media groups and writes for many well-known publications.