Russia has said that it has fired on Ukrainian military positions in the South-Donetsk direction using TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” capable of using thermobaric warheads.
The footage purports to show Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” manoeuvring into position before it can be seen deploying its deadly ordnance and firing it into the sky at unseen targets.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, 30th August, along with a statement claiming: “TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” crews of RKhBZ units continue to successfully carry out combat missions in the South-Donetsk direction of the special military operation.
“Crews of heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” of the units of radiation, chemical and biological protection of one of the motorized rifle formations of the group of troops (forces) ‘Vostok’ continue to successfully carry out the tasks of destroying manpower, strongholds and firepower of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the South Donetsk direction of a special military operation.
“The strongholds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a cluster of armoured vehicles are burned out by the flames of two-point thermobaric shocks. The defeat of the target is fixed by the means of objective control. For the calculation of the combat vehicle, this is a signal for a secret withdrawal to a safe area.
“The advantage of the ‘Sun’ is in the principle of inflicting fire damage. The destruction of the enemy does not occur with fragments, but with the highest temperature and blast wave. A fallen projectile creates a zone of high pressure due to a special mixture inside the ammunition, which ignites and burns everything around.
An unnamed commander of the TOS-1A Solntsepyok combat vehicle with the call sign ‘Selenga’ has been quoted as saying: “We can work both on area targets and on individual enemy strongholds. For mortar batteries, artillery batteries.”
An unnamed driver of the TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” with the call sign ‘Jida’ is quoted as saying: “They gave the command, went to the target …. The commander gave the command – worked out. After that, we immediately left the position …”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 553rd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 30th August 2023, Russia had lost about 262,410 personnel, 4,423 tanks, 8,596 armoured combat vehicles, 5,476 artillery units, 733 multiple launch rocket systems, 500 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 316 helicopters, 4,395 drones, 1,419 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 7,953 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 825 units of special equipment.
Russian officials reported that unmanned aircraft attacks occurred in several regions, including Pskov, Bryansk, Kaluga, Orlov, and Ryazan, as well as in the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.
According to the Associated Press, the assault on six Russian regions is thought to be the most extensive attack on Russian territory since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, has unveiled a fresh military assistance package aimed at supporting Ukraine.
This package encompasses supplementary mine clearing equipment, air defence missiles, artillery ammunition, high bar systems, and a supply of over three million rounds of small arms ammunition, as outlined in Blinken’s statement.
On Wednesday, Kyiv experienced a devastating attack with the most formidable onslaught of missiles and drones since spring, according to authorities.
Tragically, this attack resulted in the reported deaths of two individuals.
Simultaneously, Russia asserted that it had successfully eliminated four Ukrainian vessels in the Black Sea, claiming they were transporting up to 50 soldiers.
General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, reported that Ukrainian air defences successfully intercepted all 28 Russian missiles and 15 out of 16 drones launched overnight across Ukraine.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s office, has confirmed that Vladimir Putin will not attend the G20 summit scheduled to take place in India next month.
Instead, Russia will be represented by its foreign minister.
