Russian "Pinocchio": Terrifying force or vulnerable target?
The Russian TOS-1 rocket artillery system, known as "Pinocchio," is a formidable weapon capable of devastating an entire city in moments, evaluated Brent Eastwood, a former U.S. Army officer, a week before the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Has the Russian weapon proved as feared in the three years of conflict? We explain.
The Russian TOS-1 rocket artillery system, also referred to as "Pinocchio," ranks among the most dangerous weapons in Russia's arsenal. Although it was developed during the Soviet era, it continues to instil fear with its destructive power. Just before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Brent Eastwood, a former U.S. Army officer, assessed that the TOS-1 might be one of Putin's most powerful non-nuclear weapons.
The destructive power of the Russian "Pinocchio"
The TOS-1 system is a rotary launcher capable of firing 30 or 24 rockets with 220 mm calibre warheads. Mounted on T-72 or T-90 tank chassis, the system was developed in the 1970s and first saw combat during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. Each rocket contains approximately 45 kilograms of thermobaric explosive, making this weapon extremely dangerous.
The TOS-1 launcher can cover an area of about 39 square kilometres in seconds, meaning it can decimate an entire medium-sized city. For comparison, Siedlce covers roughly 31 square kilometres, and Sopot about 18 square kilometres. This system launches not only fragmentation warheads but also incendiary rockets which cause fires similar to napalm.
Controversies surrounding the TOS-1
Brent Eastwood emphasised in his column on the 19FortyFive website that the TOS-1 is a weapon that "sucks the life out of anyone in the impact zone." This system is frequently likened to a flamethrower, and its use is controversial. Eastwood pondered whether it should be banned due to its destructive power and its capability to cause deadly fires. Additionally, the rockets reach their target in merely 6-15 seconds. Owing to its operational characteristics, the TOS-1 system has also earned the moniker hellfire weapon.
The TOS-1A, employed by Russians in Ukraine, is particularly effective at eliminating personnel from fortifications and buildings. Its operation utilises thermobaric charges, which draw oxygen from the environment, creating a vacuum and generating a shockwave. The effects of the explosion are comparable to nuclear weapons, though without the accompanying radiation.
TOS-1 systems - a key target for Ukrainians
Despite its power, the TOS-1A has significant limitations. Its range is only about 6.5 kilometres, making it vulnerable to attacks using drones and anti-tank missiles. The Russians attempt to protect these systems by installing anti-drone jammers on them, yet the effectiveness of this measure is limited.
TOS-1A systems are a principal target for Ukrainian armed forces, which successfully destroy them using improvised "kamikaze" drones. Damage to one of the rockets can trigger a chain reaction, leading to a dramatic explosion. Although its destructive power is formidable, the TOS-1A remains vulnerable to attacks, making it both a powerful and risky weapon to utilise.
