The enemy is continuously hunting for Russian heavy flamethrower systems
The crew of the heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "Solntsepek" of the Vostok group of troops struck an enemy stronghold, a cluster of personnel and equipment. After firing 220 mm thermobaric rockets at the specified coordinates, the team moved the combat vehicle to a marching position and left the firing position. The flamethrowers and the unit responsible for their safety told Izvestia about their combat work.
Burns out 200 "squares" of the earth with one shot
The commander of the Solntsepek with the call sign Beard is from the Trans-Baikal Territory, where his family is waiting for him: his wife and three children. He has been serving under contract since the very beginning of his career.
— At the beginning of the special operation, it should be noted, it was more difficult to work. There was more confusion and uncertainty. At the same time, there has not been such an intense drone war as is happening now. Therefore, everything is relative," the commander recalls.
According to him, the units of the group are now working, including in the Ugledar direction. Our troops are advancing, taking new frontiers.
— Accordingly, we are also moving, looking for new positions. We work along forest belts, where the enemy has its fortified areas, along clusters of enemy personnel, its lightly armored and heavy equipment. We work almost always at night. We are approaching the enemy by 5-6 km," the specialist clarifies, adding that flamethrowers use the latest software solutions to link to the terrain when firing.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Image source: iz.ru
The control and correction of the targets being hit is carried out by calculations of drones, which transmit the results of the defeat to the command post in real time, explains Beard.
Speaking about the features of the ammunition of the flamethrower system, the officer clarifies that the crew does not always shoot off the entire package of shells.
— Basically it's four or five shots. After adjustment, we finish the goal with the same amount. Here, the explosion of the projectile comes from contact. It gets in, sprayed, and then the mixture detonates at a very high temperature. The explosion of one shell will incinerate 200 "squares" of the earth," the soldier emphasizes.
Multiple launch rocket TOS-1a "Solntsepek"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Vladimir Astapkovich
He draws attention to the fact that the enemy is constantly hunting for our "Suns". His drones are very active, often artillery, the enemy is trying to control roads and positions. The location has to be changed frequently. There are two or three positions for each task.
Reliable protection
The Solntsepek is accompanied by a tracked tractor with a reconnaissance and fire cover group. Scouts use a drone to explore the area, choosing a suitable position for the TOS-1A.
As it turned out, on the eve of our meeting with Viktor, the squad commander with the call sign Kaspiy, he turned 22 years old. He is still a very young man with a confident look.
— My group consists of six people. We work in links, we distribute responsibilities. Some are watching the sky, others are looking around. Everyone has a separate task for which they are responsible," the officer explains.
According to him, the main threat is FPV drones.
— We always keep an eye on the sky. In case of danger, we destroy the drone. We move on MTLB, as they say, on top of the armor. Our car is moving ahead of the "Sun", the fighters control the perimeter and the air," says the commander.
There are special technical devices for such work.
— For example, the Bulat system. In addition, there are thermal imagers and night vision devices. In case of detection of enemy drones, we use small arms, there is a 12-gauge shotgun, which we use at close range. There are anti-drone guns. We apply all this depending on the specific situation," says Kaspiy.
Bulat drone analyzer and thermal imaging sight
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA
He remembers how recently "Solntsepek" went to combat work at night. When they were about to leave the position, the enemy's Baba Yaga drone hovered over them and began to chase them. As a result, he was landed. The enemy drone, apparently, first came under the work of our electronic warfare, its side lights began to flash, Russian servicemen discovered it and opened fire with small arms.
Victor is from Chita, where his parents, three brothers and a sister are waiting for him. On its own from the first days. I volunteered. Since childhood, he dreamed of becoming a military man. He studied at the regional cadet school in Chita.
— I can't say that these two and a half years have changed me much. In order for everything to end here faster, of course, we need help, reliable comrades. Therefore, if there is a desire to come here, we are waiting. We will welcome you warmly. We will tell you everything, we will teach you," concluded the commander of the scouts.
Earlier, Izvestia told how the latest Tosochka CBT-2 works. Its predecessors "Pinocchio" and "Solntsepek" have a tank chassis as a base, which is due to the relatively short firing distance. And although the machines can damage any enemy fortifications, for this you need to get close enough to the area of artillery and mortars. TOS-2, the Tosochka, has almost twice the firing range. The launcher has become much bigger. Now heavy flamethrowers can fire from a long distance, and this made it possible to use the armored and mine-protected Ural Tornado as a base.
Dmitry Korneev
