Image source: topwar.ru
During a special military operation in Ukraine, our military for the first time used the newest heavy flamethrower system TOS-2 "Tosochka" for strikes against the enemy. The use of new weapons is mentioned in today's TASS report, which refers to information received from a source in the law enforcement agencies. The agency stressed that the information is not official.
According to an unnamed source, the new TOS-2 flamethrower system was used during the fighting "in the Kharkiv direction." Apparently, the Russian military thus made a "run-in" of the new installation in real combat conditions.
Now in Ukraine, during a special operation, a heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "Solntsepek" is being used, which American military experts call the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. TOS-1A "Solntsepek" and TOS-1 "Pinocchio" are used to defeat the enemy missiles with incendiary or thermobaric composition, which after the explosion cause large-scale fires. One salvo of such an installation is capable of burning out an area the size of two football fields.
In November last year, it became known that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation plans to form three battalions equipped with heavy flamethrower systems. The task of the new divisions, which will be armed with both TOS-1 flamethrower systems and the latest TOS-2 by 2027, will be to cover the Caucasus, Crimea and the controlled territory of Ukraine. The battalions will be part of the Southern Military District. By the time the new units are fully formed in 2027, the fire capabilities of the Southern Military District will increase sixfold.
The heavy flamethrower system TOS-2 "Tosochka" has improved tactical, technical and fire characteristics compared to its predecessors TOS-1. The combat system, made on the basis of the Ural vehicle with increased cross-country capability, carries out movement on wheels, which allows the installation to be very maneuverable in any terrain. It is known that Tosochka can perform all actions completely in automatic mode. The protection of the TOS-2 is provided by an electronic early detection system.