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Russian paratroopers get heavy flamethrowers for first time for Ukraine op — top brass

"A ceremony was held at one of the forward radiation, chemical and biological protection force units in the Saratov Region to hand over TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems to the Russian Airborne Force for the first time," the ministry said in a statement

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russian paratroopers have received TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Scorching Sun) heavy flamethrower systems for the first time for employing them in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

"A ceremony was held at one of the forward radiation, chemical and biological protection force units in the Saratov Region to hand over TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems to the Russian Airborne Force for the first time," the ministry said in a statement.

The ceremony was attended by Chief of the Airborne Force’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force Colonel Alexey Goncharov. The crews departing for the area of the special military operation in Ukraine demonstrated the readiness of the vehicles and the personnel for accomplishing combat objectives, it said.

"You are being handed over formidable weapons that have no rivals in the arsenals of the collective West and cause panic among our enemies. I am confident that their skillful use will bring our victory closer," he said.

The TOS-1A Solntsepyok is a flamethrower system based on the tank’s chassis. The flamethrower fires 220mm rockets with a thermobaric warhead. The Solntsepyok is designated to incinerate and destroy enemy manpower, combat hardware and fortifications with an enhanced blast. Russian forces are actively employing Solntsepyok heavy flamethrowers in the special military operation in Ukraine. The weapons have proven their efficiency in wiping out Ukrainian army strongholds. Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems deliver fire using the latest software, topographic and geodetic mapping.