Thread by @SenftPatrick

There've been numerous sightings of #Russian TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers in #Ukraine, albeit they've not been used yet.

Seeing TOS-1As in the #UkraineWar is significant as they cause immense damage when used in urban warfare - as we have seen in #Chechnya in 1999

A quick🧵

The TOS-1(A) fires 30 (24 A version) 220mm thermobaric rockets. One salvo can "annihilate" an estimated area of 200x400m.

Thermobaric rockets function by dispersing a fuel (powdered tetranite) into a cloud that is then ignited. The resulting shockwave destroys buildings & people

TOS-1s were used to great effect in the 2nd #Chechnya War; in the siege of #Grozny and Komsomolskoye.

To break the defence of Grozny, the TOS-1's area denial capability was used to cover mine-clearing operations, and to combat dug-in troops.

The lessons learned in #Chechnya have been integrated into #Russian urban warfare doctrine. Hence, similar outcomes can be expected when the TOS-1As are used against defenced cities in #Ukraine.

Sources
TOS-1 in Grozny: community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/f…

Russia in Chechnya: rand.org/content/dam/ra…

Technical info on the TOS-1: globalsecurity.org/military/world…
tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/ussr/T…

Picture from:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOS-1#/me…

There are much more competent urban warfare experts out there, follow them! @SpencerGuard, @JaysonGeroux

If the TOS-1A is used in Ukraine these accounts will tell us first, follow them too! @RALee85 , @AbraxasSpa, @UAWeapons