Russia’s airborne forces get TOS-1A thermobaric systems, likely for offensive - British intelligence

The British Ministry of Defense reported this on Twitter with reference to intelligence data, Ukrinform saw.

As of April 3 of this year, Russian mass media reported the transfer of the TOS-1A thermobaric multiple launch rocket systems to Russian airborne forces (VDV).

Russia calls the highly destructive systems Solntsepok. The TOS-1A is typically operated by Russia’s specialist Chemical, Biological and Radiological Protection Troops in Ukraine, and has not previously been associated with the VDV, adds the report.

"The transfer (of TOS-1A - ed.) likely indicates a future role for the VDV in offensive operations in Ukraine," intelligence notes.

This is likely part of the effort to “reconstitute” the VDV after it suffered heavy casualties in the first nine months of the war.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in the previous update, British intelligence reported that the Russian army continued to waste significant resources to obtain minimal gains on the battlefield.