Ukraine Struck Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” Flamethrower Hidden 25km From Frontline, Video

Operators from Ukraine’s 413th “Raid” Battalion identified and precisely struck a Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” heavy flamethrower system, which the Russians had attempted to hide in a tree line 25 kilometers from the front lines, shows a video, released by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces on March 31.

The TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” is a multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) that fires thermobaric munitions, creating a massive blast wave capable of obliterating everything within its strike radius. Russian forces have been using these systems against Ukrainian defensive positions and civilian infrastructure.

Despite being kept far from the front and heavily camouflaged, Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance operators successfully detected and targeted the system, marking a significant victory in countering Russian firepower.

“The Unmanned Systems Forces continue to eliminate enemy MLRS, stripping the occupiers of their firepower advantage,” the Ukrainian military stated.

What Is the TOS-1A “Solntsepyok”?

The TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” is a Russian heavy flamethrower system mounted on a T-72 tank chassis, designed to launch thermobaric and incendiary rockets that generate intense blast waves and fireballs.

Firing 220mm thermobaric rockets, each weighing approximately 217 kg and measuring 3.7 meters in length, the TOS-1A has a limited range of around six kilometers, requiring it to be deployed dangerously close to the battlefield.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, these lethal weapons have been used to target Ukrainian positions and civilian areas.

Earlier, operators of the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Aerial Systems struck a rare Russian TOS-2 “Tosochka” flamethrower system.

According to Militarnyi, this potentially could be the second TOS-2 lost by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.