TOS-1A: Russian Thermobaric Artillery Is the Ukrainian Army's Worst Nightmare

Russia claims that its TOS-1A Solntsepek thermobaric rocket launcher overpowered Ukrainian forces.
It was also stated that as a result of the TOS-1A Solntsepek attack, a number of Ukrainian soldiers died and caused damage.

Reported by TribunGorontalo.com from military-today.com, the TOS-1A Solntsepek is a heavy flamethrower or thermobaric rocket system intended to support direct fire from advanced infantry and main battle tanks.

The TOS-1A is an improved version of the original TOS-1 heavy flamethrower system. It was adopted by the Russian Army in 2001. Sometimes the system is nicknamed "Solntesepek".

Solntsepek itself is Russian for 'Blazing Sun'.

The TOS-1A was first used by the Russian Army in Chechnya.
Some sources report that this system was used during Russia's military aggression in Ukraine in 2014.

This thermobaric launch system was widely used during Russia's subsequent invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system is intended as direct fire support of advanced infantry units as well as main and mobile battle tanks in their combat command.

This is especially effective against entrenched personnel. The TOS-1A is used to clear buildings, field fortifications, and bunkers.
This weapon is also effective against light armored vehicles.

Heavy flamethrower systems are generally similar to multiple launch rocket systems, but the TOS-1A fires a different type of rocket and has a much shorter firing range.