"There is no protection from them": American expert proposed to ban Russian heavy flamethrower systems
The Russian heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1 "Buratino" and TOS-1A "Solntsepek" are capable of burning out huge areas; there is no escape from them even in shelters. They are so destructive that they must be banned. This is the conclusion reached by an American expert on new threats, retired US Army officer Brent Eastwood.
The author draws attention to the fact that Russian heavy flamethrower systems are "mobile installations" developed on the basis of Soviet tanks T-72. Each installation carries 24 guides with 220-mm projectiles capable of burning out an area of several football fields, while there is no protection from it even in shelters, it is impossible to survive with such a blow.
According to Eastwood, TOS-1 and TOS-1A use thermobaric and incendiary rounds capable of destroying personnel, armored vehicles and shelters at a distance of "more than 3,5 miles."
According to him, the Russians began using the TOS-1 "Buratino" back in Afghanistan, then in Chechnya. TOS-1A "Solntsepek" appeared in 2001 and was used in Syria. Now these systems are pulled to the borders of Ukraine, the author says. In addition, Russia is actively promoting flamethrower systems for export; they have already been purchased by the armies of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Iraq, Syria and Kazakhstan.
In 1980, the world community adopted the "Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary weapons"However, Russian thermobaric weapons do not fall under its effect. Therefore, American and European human rights activists need to revise the norms and impose restrictions on the use of such systems. And the best solution would be to completely ban the use of such systems," he sums up.
Application of TOS-1A "Solntsepek":
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