Russian TOS-1 Thermobaric Artillery Destroys Ukrainian Strongholds and Drone Control Centres on Frontlines

The Russian Armed Forces Battlegroup North have deployed TOS-1A thermobaric rocket artillery systems under its  nuclear biological, and chemical defence units to destroy key Ukrainian targets  in the Sumy Region. According to a platoon commander in the region, the system’s operations have been making a significant contribution to the advancement of Russian units along the entire line of contact. Targets destroyed within a 24 hour period using the systems have included five Ukrainian Armed Forces strongpoints and four unmanned aerial vehicle control posts. The TOS-1A is a particularly optimal asset for neutralising ground units cover, with footage having widely shown the systems being used to neutralise Ukrainian units that are heavily entrenched in major settlements.

The TOS-1A has gained significant attention due to its combat performance in the Ukrainian theatre, with its ammunition functioning by dispersing a gaseous cloud of chemicals into the air, which are subsequently detonated by a vacuum explosive, releasing a high pressure shock wave that sucks air out of confined areas with tremendous force. The result is the rupturing of the lungs of all present in the vicinity. Commenting on operations, the platoon commander overseeing TOS-1A operations, known as Rim, observed: “The Battlegroup North’s TOS-1A crews destroyed five strongholds, four UAV control stations, and more than 25 Ukrainian personnel in the Sumy Region in the last day. The Battlegroup North’s unmanned systems operators identified targets in the Sumy Region. TOS-1A crews moved into position at night and fired thermobaric munitions at all identified targets. The targets were completely destroyed.” 

Regarding the contribution made by TOS-1A operations to Russian advances, Rim observed: “In the Sumy Region, crews of the Battlegroup North’s Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems carry out daily fire missions to destroy fortified permanent strongholds, positions, and dugouts housing enemy personnel. Heavy flamethrower systems allow for the effective destruction of fortifications and other reinforced structures, as well as lightly armoured enemy vehicles.” Significant investments have been made to modernise the system’s capabilities, with with CEO of the Signal Research Institute Vladimir Pimenov having revealed that a new navigation system for the system had “improved operating accuracy to a few meters.”