"That's when, as a last resort, they call us!"

How the crews of the Tosochka heavy flamethrower systems destroy the enemy under Coal fire

A new heavy flamethrower system TOS-2 "Tosochka" is successfully used in the SVO zone. It still has no analogues in the world. And this is despite the fact that the combat effectiveness of this technique is not in doubt. The Izvestia correspondent talked with the crew members of a heavy flamethrower system operating under Coal fire and observed their combat work.

In the most difficult areas

It is hot in the Donetsk steppes now and the TOS-2 combat vehicle is covered with a thick layer of dust, which gives it a special front-line charm. Being near the car, you feel the power of "Tosochka" — the affectionate female name that she received from the developers is deceptive. It is not surprising that the crews appreciate and take care of their equipment.

— I need to bring the car to a combat position, make calculations, aim at the target, leave the position in a timely manner so that nothing happens to people and equipment, — says Daniel, the commander of the TOS-2 car with the call sign Bath Attendant.

His crew, which is part of the radiation chemical and biological protection unit of the Vostok group, has worked in many areas.

— The machine is used in the most difficult areas of the front, — says Daniel. — Now it's on Ugledarsky. Such a flamethrower system is used when the enemy has well-fortified positions, when our guys on the front line cannot take strong points. When artillery, mortars and heavy equipment are used, but it does not work. That's when, as a last resort, they call us!

Operation of the Tosochka heavy flamethrower systems

Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan

They are also used if the enemy tries to break through our defenses, he notes.

CBT-2 affects a large area. She uses new ammunition of increased power and range. According to Daniel, the machine is improved, the projectiles are pre-programmed.

"This is fundamentally important, since an increase in the powder charge of missiles leads to a decrease in the warhead," he noted. — But our designers managed to refine both the propellant powder mixtures and the composition of the warhead. We shot at a maximum of 15 kilometers.

As Daniel noted, the flight range of the CBT "Pinocchio" missiles did not exceed four and a half kilometers, "Solntsepek" — six.

Adrenaline "Sunshine"

Daniel had to fight on the CBT-1 "Solntsepek".

— If you compare these two cars, then working on the "Sun", you get more adrenaline. It is necessary to get closer to the goal on it — it is 5-6 km. They can spot the "birds" and cover them with art," the commander notes.

The crew of the TOS-1A "Solntsepek" heavy flamethrower system

Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov

He arrived for the special operation from the Trans-Baikal Territory.

"To be precise, I'm from Chita," he says. — When the war began, I voluntarily arrived at the military enlistment office.

Daniel first joined the infantry and was there for the whole of 2022. After that, I decided to change my specialty and graduated from CBT-1. I worked on it for the whole year 2023. Already this year, he was transferred to CBT-2.

Working on heavy flamethrower systems is special, it requires iron nerves. But our guys are even attracted to it.

— Now there are enough replacements coming to our units, — Daniel notes.

According to him, the newcomers are trying, they are showing themselves well.

"Everyone starts with CBT-1," he explains. — Young guys work well for them.

Daniel says it's very important to get into a good unit.

"The team is important, your responsibilities," he says. — It is necessary that you feel harmony in the complex. It doesn't always happen right away. But if you are patient, wait it out, for sure everything will turn out the way you want. The main thing is to do everything that depends on you.

In his opinion, for successful work on CBT-2, it is desirable to have such a quality as the speed of thinking. You need to count quickly, be able to use special gadgets, know the device and the principle of operation of radio stations.

— Serious equipment is installed in this car. It is capable of targeting itself. But everything must be checked. I repeat, everything must be done very quickly," Daniel emphasizes.

Fast and reliable

Oleg, the commander of the heavy flamethrower platoon, call sign Saratov, clarifies that his duties include communication with fire support, with the crew, with spotters.

— Now we are mainly working in the South Donets direction, — Oleg explained. — We cover our fellow infantrymen, hitting the enemy with the most powerful fire. If you've ever seen how CBT-2 works, you might have noticed that it burns out everything in its path. There is nothing left of the "forest field". Last time we worked on targets in the village of Urozhdnoye. We had a large-scale offensive there. They operated with five vehicles, together with Grads and tanks. The task was completed. The enemy had no chance to survive such a blow. After our work, the infantry came in. The village was taken.

Speaking about the advantages of the CBT-2 over previous models, he notes that the car moves on wheels.

— She's quieter. He doesn't give himself away. Much more mobile than a tracked one. We can work from long distances. For example, if a task arrives in two hours to be in a firing position, we do it on time. The car is very passable. It takes three minutes from the moment of arrival at the firing position to the start of the fire," Oleg says.

Tosochka Heavy flamethrower system TOS-2

Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov

The enemy is constantly hunting for "Tosochki", and our fighters know this.

— We have excellent electronic warfare equipment on our car, which are crushed by enemy "birds", — Oleg explains. — That's why we almost always act without nerves.

The CBT-2 is made on the basis of the Ural, and the fighters like it. It is protected by an armored capsule with a metal thickness of 6-7 cm. Tire pressure in the wheels can be controlled from the comfort of the cab. There is cruise control, air conditioning, heating system helps in the cold. There is a heated battery. In case the battery freezes in winter.

Both commanders say that if the enemy learns about the approach of heavy flamethrower systems, panic begins in its ranks.

— No one wants to be in the center of a red-hot "solar" cloud. And the psychological impact on the enemy of Tosochka is as great as its combat power, they are sure.

The crew of the Tosochka heavy flamethrower system

Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov

Reliable rear

Speaking about successful combat work, Daniel notes that for her, in addition to a friendly, cohesive team, it is important to have a reliable rear. His family is waiting for him at home: his wife and two children.

— I know that a lot of regulations have been adopted now, guaranteeing various kinds of rights and benefits to my relatives. In this regard, I am calm for them. I plan to go on vacation in the near future. I missed my family a lot," he says.

Oleg also does not forget about his family — it helps at the front.

— My wife and son are in Saratov, — he smiles. — Recently, the boy was admitted to kindergarten without waiting in line. It's nice that the state has such an attitude towards us. If there is any doubt whether to sign a contract or not, then I would advise you to sign it. In terms of social guarantees and protection as a participant of your own and your family members, you don't have to worry.

Both commanders say that being a soldier is prestigious and honorable, but that's not why they joined the army. The homeland has found itself in a difficult situation, and they cannot stay away.

Dmitry Korneev