Ukraine uses captured Russian TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launchers to attack Russian troops in Izium

According to information published on the Twitter account of the Ukrainian journalist Victor Kovalenko, the armed forces of Ukraine have used Russian captured TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launchers to annihilate Russian attack formations near Izium city, in the Kharkiv province.
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Ukraine would have captured or destroyed five Russian TOS-1A thermobaric rocket launchers of which three would be in working order. (Picture source Oryx Blog)

According to the latest information published by the Oryx Blog, five TOS-1A heavy flame throwers of the Russian army were destroyed or captured by Ukrainian soldiers. Of the 5 TOS-1A vehicles identified by the Oryx blog, three would be in working conditions.

There is no information about the number of rockets that the Ukrainian soldiers have captured alongside the TOS-1A, but enough to conduct firing operations against Russian troops deployed near Izium city, in the Kharkiv province.

Since the beginning of the war, Russian troops have abandoned some of their tanks and armored vehicles which were seized by Ukrainian armed forces. The Ukrainian Government has also requested people to seize enemy vehicles and deliver them to the Ukrainian army.

The main equipment of the Ukrainian army includes Soviet-made tanks and combat vehicles. Ukrainian soldiers are familiar with the specific features of Russian military equipment. They can therefore easily use captured Russian combat vehicles without any specific training, and most Ukrainians are able to read Russian.

The TOS-1A is one of the most conventional destructive combat vehicles in the world. It uses thermobaric rockets that suck oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion, typically producing a blast wave of a significantly longer duration than that of a conventional explosive. The rockets are able to destroy reinforced buildings, equipment and kill or injure people.

The TOS-1A is based on the T-72 main battle tank chassis. The original turret is removed and replaced by a block launcher unit consisting of three rows of eight 220mm tube launchers able to fire unguided rockets.

The TOS-1A can fire unguided 220mm 30-barrel or 24-barrel incendiary rocket and thermobaric weapon. High-accuracy calculation of firing angle for unguided rockets allocates targets of the impact point on the area in a way that makes it possible to cover a target densely at 6 seconds of full salvo duration at the maximum range of 6,000 m. It allows suppressing enemy active actions for a long time period in considerable areas and 100% destruction of unconcealed enemy personnel at the area of 40,000 square meters.