Ukrainian brigade dismantles fearsome Russian TOS‑1A in Avdiivka: a closer look at the 'poor cousin of nuclear weapons'

Though the Ukrainians have moved out of Avdiivka, there are still ongoing battles in its outskirts. The hunt for perilous targets, such as the TOS-1A systems, continues. These systems, capable of firing potent rockets with thermobaric warheads, obliterate every living organism at the impact site and are certainly among these dangerous targets.

The Russian TOS-1A systems, which were initially introduced into the Russian army's armament during the Soviet's involvement in Afghanistan, are perfectly designed to wipe out living forces over vast regions, be they in field fortifications or buildings.

Mounted on a T-72 tank chassis is a launcher for 24 unguided rockets, each with a calibre of 220mm. These rockets each carry approximately 99.6 lbs (45kg) of thermobaric explosive charge, providing them with formidable striking power.

Unlike traditional explosive charges, thermobaric charges do not have oxygen within their structure. Instead, they utilise it from the surrounding air. As a result, they can contain considerably more active agent at the same weight than traditional explosives. Prior to the explosion, the thermobaric charge disperses in the air as an aerosol, and the detonation of the explosive mixture happens with a delay.

A staggering temperature of up to 5432 degrees Fahrenheit can be produced during the explosion at the "zero zone". Concurrently, all surrounding oxygen is used up, causing a vacuum. Accompanying this effect is a sizeable shockwave, even capable of damaging aircraft skin. Additionally, the vacuum causes the shockwave to rebound, inducing pressure fluctuations that can reach even several hundred kilograms per square centimetre.

Such pressure fluctuations can cause significant damage to soft tissues, such as the lungs. As a result, anyone who is in the blast zone and survives the initial explosion is likely to experience slow and agonising death. The destructive effect is even more severe in closed spaces, as the waves resonate.

Thermobaric weapons share similar effects with nuclear weapons, though they do not emit radiation, earning them the description "poor cousin of nuclear weapons". However, the TOS-1A system's effectiveness is somewhat hindered by its maximum range of approximately 3.7 miles (6km). This limited range leaves it vulnerable to destruction, with a large-scale explosion likely to result from detonation of a single rocket by an FPV drone or artillery shrapnel.