WAR IN UKRAINE: Russian Thermobaric Multiple Rocket Launcher Tank Fires At Ukrainian Targets With Devastating Effect

Story By:  Ana MarjanovicSub-EditorMichael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

These images purport to show a Russian thermobaric multiple rocket launcher that is mounted on a tank chassis firing at Ukrainian targets with devastating effects.

The footage shows the TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” vehicle, which has a multiple rocket launcher mounted on a T-72 tank chassis, being deployed somewhere in Ukraine and reportedly firing thermobaric warheads at Ukrainian targets.

The vehicle can be seen sporting a white ‘Z’ daubed its side. The ‘Z’ is one of the symbols, as well as the letters ‘V’ and ‘O’ that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

The footage then cuts to an aerial view, reportedly showing the missiles exploding as they hit the ground. The video then shows missiles being fired at night before the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) along with a statement on Friday, 24th June, saying that they show “the combat work of the crews of heavy TOS-1A “Solntsepek” systems of the Western Military District to destroy fortified, long-term strongholds and positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

The Russian MoD added that drones assisted the vehicle with targeting.

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

The MoD also said: “After completing the combat mission, the crews of the TOS-1A ‘Solntsepyok’ in the shortest possible time carry out a change of combat positions and promptly reload the installations.

“There are 24 thermobaric projectiles in the package. They are capable of covering an area of ​​up to 40 thousand square metres, while destroying lightly armoured vehicles and fortifications.

“It is impossible to hide from the Solntsepeka volley even in trenches and dugouts: after a 200-kilogramme projectile hits the target, the thermobaric mixture dissipates in the air and explodes under tremendous pressure, creating a temperature of 3,000 degrees. Even steel armour melts in such an inferno.”

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 121st day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 24th June, Russia had lost about 34,530 personnel, 1,507 tanks, 3,637 armoured combat vehicles, 759 artillery units, 241 multiple launch rocket systems, 99 air defence systems, 216 warplanes, 183 helicopters, 622 drones, 137 cruise missiles, 14 warships, 2,553 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 60 units of special equipment.

On Thursday, 23rd June, the European Union approved Ukraine’s application to become a candidate for admission to the bloc, which is currently made up of 27 countries. The decision has been hailed in both Brussels and Kyiv as a “historic moment”, with President Zelenskyy saying that “Ukraine’s future is in the EU”.

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, warned Russia may stop supplying gas to Europe this winter. Several European countries have already received less Russian gas than expected in the last few weeks, with European imports of natural gas from Russia dropping from approximately 40 per cent to 20 per cent.

Germany has taken a step closer to gas rationing after a drop in supplies from Russia.

British intelligence has estimated that the pro-Russian, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has lost 55 per cent of its original forces.

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

US intelligence has revealed that Russia is mining the Black Sea ports of Odesa and Ochakiv to throttle Ukraine’s ability to export grain.

Russia is now thought to control all of the eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk, apart from the Azot chemical plant.

Russian Foreign Ministry press secretary Maria Zakharova has said that Moscow’s response to Lithuania banning the transit of goods, sanctioned by the EU, to Kaliningrad will not only be diplomatic but also practical.

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

But Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has accused Russia of lying over the blockade, saying that people are still able to travel between Russia and Kaliningrad and that the blockade only affects 1 per cent of goods.

Russia conducted an anti-ship missile exercise in the Baltic Sea amid escalating tensions with NATO member Lithuania after the country blocked the transit of some goods to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, has urged locals in the Kherson region to evacuate, to help Ukrainian forces “deoccupy” the area.

Combat work of Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on the positions of UAF in Ukraine. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

Ukrainian officials have said that there are currently no safe towns for civilians in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as fighting in the area intensifies.