Ukraine Punishes Russian Positions With Captured 'Blazing Sun' Rockets
- By RFE/RL
Kyiv's forces on the front line near Kreminna, in eastern Ukraine, have been using a captured Russian TOS-1A Solntsepyok ("Blazing Sun") heavy thermobaric rocket launcher to devastate Moscow's forces as the Ukrainian counteroffensive continues.
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Ukrainian forces fire a TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy thermobaric rocket launcher toward Russian positions near Kreminna, in the Luhansk region, on July 7. The Ukrainian Army's Da Vinci Battalion captured the weapon.
Fierce battles are occurring in multiple locations on the front line as Kyiv continues its counteroffensive in the south, the military said on July 10.
Fierce battles are occurring in multiple locations on the front line as Kyiv continues its counteroffensive in the south, the military said on July 10.
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A Ukrainian soldier prepares the captured unit. The words "Da Vinci" are written on it in honor of the battalion commander, Dmytro Kotsyubaylo, who was killed in battle.
Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Ukrainian forces were consolidating gains made in the southern directions of Melitopol and Berdyansk, where "hot battles" are under way.
Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Ukrainian forces were consolidating gains made in the southern directions of Melitopol and Berdyansk, where "hot battles" are under way.
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A Ukrainian soldier keeps watch near the captured hardware.
"Our troops conduct aerial reconnaissance and demining of the area, employing artillery fire on identified enemy targets," Malyar said on Telegram.
"Our troops conduct aerial reconnaissance and demining of the area, employing artillery fire on identified enemy targets," Malyar said on Telegram.
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The launcher is mounted on the chassis of a T-72 main battle tank or a similar armored vehicle. It contains 24 launch tubes that can fire 220mm unguided rockets that are filled with a high-explosive thermobaric mixture.
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The effective range of the unit is approximately 6 kilometers. The combination of intense heat, blast, and shock wave produced by the thermobaric rocket is especially potent against entrenched positions.
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A Ukrainian policeman is reflected in a window as the unit prepares to fire toward Russian positions near Kreminna.
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A Ukrainian policeman pets a cat at the front line near Kreminna.
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In addition to the heavy flamethrower, Ukrainian soldiers were also firing a D-30 cannon at a Russian position near Kreminna.
Deputy Defense Minister Malyar added that in the eastern region of Donetsk, Russian forces were on the defensive in Bakhmut, while heavy fighting was also under way in Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka, where the General Staff reported more than 30 combat clashes over the previous 24 hours.
Deputy Defense Minister Malyar added that in the eastern region of Donetsk, Russian forces were on the defensive in Bakhmut, while heavy fighting was also under way in Lyman, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka, where the General Staff reported more than 30 combat clashes over the previous 24 hours.
