Russian flamethrowers pound Ukrainian positions (MOD VIDEO)
The Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday released a new video showing heavy thermobaric TOS-1A Solntsepyok systems striking alleged Ukrainian positions at an unspecified location on the frontline.
The system, belonging to Russia’s ‘West’ troop grouping, apparently obliterated a Ukrainian platoon-sized entrenchment, the military has said. The nighttime video shows the launcher firing multiple projectiles, with the strike observed by a surveillance drone. The strike appeared to be very accurate with multiple explosions concentrated in a relatively small area, footage shows.
TOS-1A systems are designated as heavy flamethrowers and operated primarily by the Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces (RKhBZ). Despite its designation, the system is effectively a conventional multiple rocket launcher system, mounted on a tank chassis and designed to fire heavy 220mm thermobaric projectiles.
The munitions, colloquially known as vacuum bombs, disperse a cloud of highly explosive liquid or gas that is then ignited, producing a powerful air blast with extreme pressure and temperatures. The projectiles are extremely effective in targeting personnel, including soldiers taking cover in trenches, pillboxes, or light armor.
The systems have seen extensive action during the Ukraine conflict, proving to be an important heavy-hitting, albeit arguably short-range, tool. A lighter, wheeled version of the system, known as TOS-2 Tosochka, has also been introduced during the conflict and used against Kiev’s troops on numerous instances.
