Ukrainian forces destroys one of Russia's most feared weapons
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian troops destroy Russian Solntsepyok system (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces have destroyed a Russian TOS Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system. The strike took place in the southern direction, Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn reports.
“I want to share positive news. Over the past day, we destroyed an enemy TOS Solntsepyok system,” Voloshyn said.
According to him, the Russian system was detected thanks to Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance.
“This is quite a formidable and expensive Russian weapon. But we tracked it, our aerial reconnaissance found it, and we destroyed it,” he added.
What is the TOS Solntsepyok
The TOS-1A Solntsepyok is a Russian heavy flamethrower system with a 220 mm caliber, introduced into service in 2001.
Its key feature is the use of thermobaric munitions (so-called fuel-air explosive rounds), which create an aerosol cloud of fuel upon impact that instantly detonates.
This produces a powerful blast wave and an area of extremely high pressure and temperature, burning oxygen and destroying everything alive—even in shelters, bunkers, or terrain folds.
Due to its characteristics, the system is often considered one of the most terrifying non-nuclear weapons, as it is extremely difficult to hide from its effects using conventional fortifications.
The system includes:
- a combat vehicle with a launcher mounted on a tank chassis
- two transport-loading vehicles
- unguided rockets
According to unofficial data, Russia has about 55 TOS-1A Solntsepyok systems in its ground forces, with three more used by airborne troops.
Previous destructions of Solntsepyok
Ukrainian forces have destroyed this costly system multiple times before.
In December, National Guard drones destroyed a Solntsepyok valued at around $8 million.
On November 26, the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps reported destroying another system in the Lyman direction.
Drone operators had detected and struck the system despite Russian attempts to hide it dozens of kilometers from the front line.
Earlier, Ukrainian border guards also destroyed a Solntsepyok in the Kharkiv region. The strike was carried out by drone pilots from the Phoenix reconnaissance and strike UAV unit.
