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​russians Reportedly Send Mini-Solntsepyok to the Front — What's Behind the Name

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Illustrative image showing the system mounted with four launch tubes
Illustrative image showing the system mounted with four launch tubes

russian combat unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) had an unsuccessful debut on the battlefield, but this does not mean that russians have abandoned the use of these robotic platforms

russian propaganda media report that occupying forces will soon begin using a new system on the battlefield, which they call the mini-Solntsepyok. It is reported that at least one such vehicle is moving to the front line. At the same time, it it remains unclear where exactly russians intend to deploy this weapon and in what quantity.

russians Reportedly Send Mini-Solntsepyok to the Front — What's Behind the Name, Defense Express
An UGV fitted with a combat module of single-use rocket launchers

However, The designation mini-Solntsepyok refers to a weapon that is conceptually similar to the TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system. The system is a ground‑based robotic system fitted with a combat module of disposable rocket launchers, designed to fire RPO‑A Shmel.

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russians Reportedly Send Mini-Solntsepyok to the Front — What's Behind the Name, Defense Express
The mini-TOS-1A, developed on the UGV basis. An image from the patent / Credit: BTVT.INFO

This system was developed by the Moscow-based company Robotic Engineering. The system was first reported in August. At that time, the question arose as to whether this was really a new threat from russians or just another "wunderwaffe" for embezzling funds.

In fact, Such a development could find a role on the battlefield. At the same time, its effectiveness can be assessed based on its use by the enemy on the front lines.

The proportion of UGVs equipped with combat modules is significantly lower than that of UGVs used for logistics or evacuation missions.

Earlier Defense Express reported that russia is expanding reservist recruitment along the western border.

Read more: Longer Range, Smarter Swarms: What russia's Drone Advances Mean for Ukraine — The Next Wave of Unmanned Threats