Operators of Ukraine's Rarog 427th Regiment successfully identified and destroyed russian TOS‑1A Solntsepyok multiple launch rocket system during a night operation. The rare strike targeted one of the most feared, yet infrequently used, thermobaric weapons in russian arsenal.
The TOS‑1A is a heavy flamethrower system that launches incendiary and thermobaric munitions. Its firepower can devastate fortified positions and enclosed spaces, making it especially dangerous in urban or trench environments. However, due to its limited range, only a few kilometers, the system is rarely deployed near active combat zones where it becomes highly vulnerable to return fire and surveillance.
Read more: Ukrainian Drone Unit Guides the HIMARS Strike That Destroys North Korean Koksan SPG
This vulnerability became clear once again when Ukrainian drone operators spotted the TOS‑1A system moments after it launched a salvo. The system had exposed itself just long enough for its thermal and visual signature to be detected and tracked by drones.
First to engage was an FPV kamikaze drone, which struck the TOS‑1A system and disabled its mobility or defense systems. Following the initial hit, drone teams deployed the Vampire UAVs equipped with explosive payloads. Precision-dropped munitions from these drones completed the destruction, reducing the system to scorched metal debris.
The elimination of the TOS‑1A system is both a tactical and psychological victory. These systems are often used by russia to terrorize frontline units and civilians, especially due to the intense heat and pressure created by thermobaric blasts. Removing one from the battlefield limits the occupiers' ability to inflict mass casualties or suppress Ukrainian troop positions.
While the TOS‑1A system is heavily armored and designed for harsh battlefield conditions, it is not invulnerable. Its reliance on proximity to the front and limited firing range leaves it exposed, a weakness Ukrainian drone operators have repeatedly exploited with growing precision and coordination.
The use of combined drone tactics, FPV for disabling strikes and payload drops for final destruction, showcases the evolving flexibility and lethality of Ukrainian UAV operations. These tactics allow for real-time engagement and confirmation of targets that would otherwise require riskier or slower ground-based responses.
As Defense Express previously reported, the Kryma reconnaissance group from the 14th Separate UAV Regiment successfully located and coordinated the HIMARS strike on North Korean-made Koksan self-propelled gun, resulting in its complete destruction. The strike also eliminated six russian crew members operating the artillery system. The operation was conducted as part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to dismantle enemy firepower on the most contested front lines.
Read more: russian Buk System Destroyed, Armor Crushed: Ukrainin Drones Strike Through the Noise
