Ukrainian National Guard wipes out Russia’s $8M thermobaric launcher

"In a recent operation, drone pilots from the National Guard’s Lasar’s Group strike UAV unit burned another Solntsepyok system that had been firing on Ukraine’s Defense Forces positions," he wrote.

Pivnenko said the Russian system was detected while operating, after which aerial reconnaissance from the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade fixed the target. Once the coordinates were confirmed, Lasar’s Group heavy bomber drones struck the system.

He explained that the TOS-1A Solntsepyok is a heavy flame thrower system that fires thermobaric munitions, designed to destroy lightly armored vehicles, automotive equipment, buildings, and fortified structures.

The estimated cost of a single Solntsepyok system is about $8 million.