Russia has said that it has hit Ukrainian military positions using a TOS-1A ‘Solntsepyok’ near Kupiansk, as these images purport to show.
The footage shows the Russian war machines manoeuvring into a forested area before it is loaded with ordnance by Russian soldiers.
The TOS-1A ‘Solntsepyok’ then manoeuvres into position and opens fire, unleashing its deadly arsenal into the sky.
The images then cut to a number of explosions on the ground, purportedly the Ukrainian positions being hit.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 12th April, along with a statement claiming: “The crews of the TOS-A1 ‘Solntsepek’ of the ‘West’ group of troops destroyed the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction.”
The Russian MoD added: “Units of the NBC protection forces of the ‘West’ group, consisting of crews of the TOS-1A ‘Solntsepek’ heavy flamethrower systems, continue to support the actions of motorized rifle and tank units of the group of forces in the Kupyansk direction of the special military operation.
“During the combat work, the crews of the flamethrower systems destroyed fortified long-term strongholds, positions and dugouts with armoured vehicles and manpower of Ukrainian militants. The launches carried out at a distance of more than five kilometres [3.1 miles].
Ukrainian Forces Take Out Russian Soldiers And Destroy Military Positions
“Monitoring and adjustment of target fire carried out by crew operators of the group’s unmanned aerial vehicles in real-time.”
The statement quotes the commander of the TOS-1A ‘Solntsepek’, with the call sign ‘Almaz’ as saying: “There are three people in the crew.
“This is, respectively, the vehicle commander, gunner and driver. We fire thermobaric charges. Range up to approximately six kilometres [3.7 miles].
“Artillery systems hit ground targets more, and TOS can hit targets in closed shelters, for example, in dugouts or in some kind of bunkers. Its principle is such that when a projectile explodes, a wave is created, and increased pressure is created in it.
“And with this pressure, it turns out, it can enter the room through doors or through some cracks, and the excess pressure affects the personnel. We hit targets, cause significant damage to the enemy, and also hit equipment and personnel.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
