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138 and Counting—Russia Keeps Losing Its Deadly Thermobaric Rocket Launchers in Ukraine
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Russia has now lost at least 138 heavy thermobaric rocket systems since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after Ukrainian forces neutralized another launcher on November 2, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on November 3.
The tally includes several variants of Russia’s Heavy Flamethrower System (TOS) family: the TOS-1 Buratino, TOS-1A Solntsepyok, TOS-2 Tosochka, and newer TOS-3 Dragon.
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Despite their Russian designation as “heavy flamethrower systems,” these are rocket launchers built to fire thermobaric and incendiary ammunition.
Their weapons are designed to generate an intense blast wave and extreme temperatures across a relatively large area, making them particularly dangerous against personnel, fortified positions, shelters, and lightly armored vehicles.
Russia has repeatedly used TOS systems to support assault operations against Ukrainian positions, where their destructive effect can help suppress or destroy fortified defenses before infantry moves forward.
That also makes the launchers high-value targets for Ukrainian forces.
According to the General Staff, every TOS system removed from the battlefield reduces the amount of concentrated thermobaric firepower Russian forces can bring to bear during assaults.
Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine’s forces have destroyed Russia’s latest heavy flamethrower system, the TOS-2 “Tosochka,” near Pokrovsk.
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