Russia Has Lost at Least 138 Thermobaric Rocket Launchers in Ukraine War

Russia has lost at least 138 heavy thermobaric missile systems since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after Ukrainian forces neutralized another launcher on November 2, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported This list includes several variants of the Russian heavy flamethrower system family: TOS-1 "Buratino", TOS-1A " Sun Chain", TOS-2 "Tosochka" and the newer TOS-3 "Dragon". Despite the Russian definition of heavy flamethrower systems, these are rocket launchers designed to fire thermobaric and incendiary munitions.

This weapon is designed to create a powerful blast wave and extreme temperatures over a relatively large area, making it particularly dangerous to personnel, fortified positions, shelters, and lightly armored vehicles. Russia has repeatedly used TOC systems to support assault operations against Ukrainian positions, where their destructive effect helps suppress or destroy fortified defenses before advancing infantry. This also makes the launchers high-priority targets for Ukrainian forces. According to the General Staff, each TOC system withdrawn from the battlefield reduces the amount of concentrated thermobaric firepower that Russian troops can use during assaults.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukrainian forces had destroyed the latest Russian TOS- 2 "Tosochka" heavy flamethrower system near Pokrovsk. Footage taken by the Russian military shows a destroyed launcher after being hit by an unknown weapon The system was used against Ukrainian defense forces before it was neutralized. The attack occurred in the village of Petrivka, Pokrovsky District, approximately 10 km from the city. Russia officially recognized the use of its newest TOS-2 system in Ukraine in October 2023.

Developed as a modernization of the TOS-1 " Buratino" and TOS-1A "Sunset", the TOS-2 system was created at the defense enterprise "NVO Splav". Unlike its predecessors, which are based on the chassis of the T- 72 and T-90 tracked tanks, the TOS-2 is built on the basis of the Ural-63706 truck with a 6x6 wheel arrangement, which makes it more mobile and economical. Its armored cabin provides additional protection for the crew from small arms fire. The TOS-2 "Tosochka" is also equipped with a mechanized ammunition loading unit, which allows the crew to load missiles without the need for a transport-loading vehicle. This

allows the crew to reload the launcher after firing. The system is also capable of firing developed ammunition with an extended range, exceeding the 6-kilometer limit of the TOS-1A. Earlier, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian RBU- 6000 Smerch-2 naval bomber in the Lymansky direction using drones. The RBU-6000 "Smerch-2" is a Soviet naval rocket launcher developed in the 1960s for the USSR Navy. It was originally designed as an anti-submarine defense system to neutralize submarines, attacking torpedoes, and underwater sabotage threats.