Russian troops accidentally incinerate themselves with flamethrower: 'Supporting Ukraine'
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has been left red-faced after Russian troops accidentally incinerate their own men with a flamethrower, according to reports.
Russia: Military test TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system in 2020
Ukrainian sources claimed that Russian troops fired a Zantsepek heavy flamethrower system at a position occupied by their own men. It is so far unclear as to how many casualties took place as a result of this “friendly fire” as Russia has not acknowledged this incident. But in a Facebook post, Ukraine's 97th Infantry Battalion posted an ironic “thank you” message to Russian forces over a devastating strike.
The message read: "The leadership of the 97th Infantry Battalion expresses its satisfaction with the actions of the Russian occupiers, who today, using the heavy Zantsepek flamethrower system in the Zaporizhzhya direction, used it against their positions and actually burned the occupiers from Ukrainian soil.
"Such actions are positively perceived and supported in every way by the Ukrainian military."
Since the start of the invasion, Russian forces have used TOS-1 rockets as well as thermobaric flamethrowers in Ukraine.
The TOS-1 Buratino, a 30-barrel launcher mounted on a T-72 tank chassis, can deliver thermobaric warheads which lay a rolling field of fire that can eliminate large enemy troop formations in a matter of seconds.
The 97th Ukrainian infantry battalion issued a thank you letter for the Russian unit which on May 8 opened friendly fire on its own positions. The Russians annihilated their positions with troops & armor with thermobaric flamethrowers TOS-1A Sunblaze in #Zaporizhzhya province. pic.twitter.com/HPc0kSBIsC
— Victor Kovalenko (@MrKovalenko) May 9, 2022
In March, Eliot Higgins, from the investigative journalism group Bellingcat, tweeted that the TOS-1A 'Flamethrower' thermobaric rockets were fired near Mariupol, which has endured constant bombardment from Russian forces.
Later on in the conflict, it was reported that Ukrainian forces had captured at least one Buratino and had used it against the Russians.
The TOS-1 is a lethal weapon that had been developed by the Soviet Union, primarily for use in Afghanistan.
However, the latest versions that were captured by Ukrainian troops have 24 barrels and an impressive range of more than six miles.
READ MORE: Russia WIPES OUT satellites and tries to shut down West
The thermobaric warheads are capable of producing a destructive explosion with a blast radius much bigger than conventional weaponry.
Upon impact, missiles disperse an incendiary aerosol into the air which then catches fire immediately, creating a massive fireball that absorbs oxygen from the atmosphere.
However, the invasion of Ukraine, and the intense resistance put up by Ukrainian forces, have made experts question the competency of Putin’s armed forces.
Prior to the invasion, experts, including those in the US, believed that Russian forces could steamroll Ukraine and capture Kyiv in days.
DON'T MISS:
Royal Navy's new £30bn nuke subs can launch 12 separate missiles [REPORT]
Solar storm warning: Earth set for 'glancing blow' in HOURS [REVEAL]
Ukraine war: UK's 'significant' contribution laid bare with £450m arms [INSIGHT]
However, over two months, Ukrainian forces have held on thanks to Western military aid, and even pushed Russian forces back in some regions.
There have been claims that demoralised Russian troops have been vandalising their own vehicles so they cannot be sent into battle.
The Zaporizhzhia Military Administration posted on Telegram: "According to local residents, Russian troops have shelled 20 of their own vehicles in Polohy in order to avoid going to the front line; they blamed the shelling on [Ukrainian] resistance fighters in the temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia."