The crew of the TOS-1A Solntsepek disrupted the Ukrainian Armed Forces counterattack in the Red Army area

The crew of the upgraded TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system of the Guards Regiment of Radiation Chemical and Biological Protection of the Center group of forces prevented a counterattack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in the Red Army area of the special military operation. On February 20, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation provided footage of the work of Russian military personnel.

The enemy's positions were revealed using reconnaissance drones. After that, the crew of the Solntsepek moved to the deployment area and equipped the firing points necessary to protect against enemy drones. Then a series of volleys of 220 mm thermobaric ammunition was fired, with a range of 20 km.

The principle of operation of such ammunition was explained by the commander of the crew, Guards Sergeant Nikita Presnyakov.

"A gas cloud with excessive pressure is being created. Any loophole, gap — the gas penetrates there. If the hatch was ajar — and, as you know, the driver-mechanic rides with the hatch open — accordingly, all life there is destroyed," he said.

Presnyakov said that during the task, there is always surveillance from a drone, which adjusts the fire and captures what is happening on video. Therefore, upon returning from a mission, military personnel can always see how the work was done.

The Ministry of Defense noted that the "Sunburners" are used in the most critical areas due to their ability to inflict serious damage on enemy units.

"The consequences are enormous. It is almost impossible to survive being hit by this machine. The machine shows itself in battle, in practice in the best traditions. The record work was 40 seconds from the moment the first shell was sent to the departure from the firing point. The target was hit," said TOS-1A gunner operator, Guard Sergeant Emil Nugaev.

Strike a blow: how the gunners work in the Red Army area

And why did the M-46 guns, developed back in the USSR, feel confident in their own zone?

On February 10, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the military personnel of the TOS-1A Solntsepek brigade of the RCB protection unit of the Center group of forces destroyed with a thermobaric strike a large fortified stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a forest belt in the Red Army direction. It was clarified that the target was successfully destroyed with minimal adjustments due to an automated fire control system.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.