Russia's 'Pinocchio' rockets: Devastating but vulnerable
The Russian TOS-1 rocket artillery system, known as "Pinocchio," is a formidable weapon capable of destroying an entire city in seconds, as assessed by Brent Eastwood, a former U.S. Army officer, just a week before the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Has this Russian weapon lived up to its fearsome reputation over the three years of conflict? We explain.
The Russian TOS-1 rocket artillery system, also referred to as "Pinocchio," is one of the most dangerous weapons in Russia's military arsenal. Although it was developed during the Soviet era, it still instills fear with its destructive power. Just before the war in Ukraine began, Brent Eastwood, a former U.S. Army officer, evaluated the TOS-1 as potentially Putin's most powerful weapon that doesn't rely on nuclear technology.
The destructive power of Russia's "Pinocchio"
The TOS-1 system is a rotating launcher capable of firing 30 or 24 rockets with 220 mm warheads. Mounted on a 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 99 pounds of thermobaric explosive material, making it extremely dangerous.
The TOS-1 launcher can, in mere seconds, cover an area of up to 15 square miles with a salvo, which means it can decimate an entire medium-sized city. For comparison, Siedlce covers an area of approximately 12 square miles, and Sopot 7 square miles. The system fires not only high-explosive fragmentation warheads but also incendiary rockets that cause fires similar to napalm.
Controversies surrounding the TOS-1
Brent Eastwood, in his column for the 19FortyFive service, highlighted that the TOS-1 is a weapon that "sucks the life out of anyone in the impact zone." This system is often referred to as a flamethrower, and its use raises significant controversy. Eastwood questioned whether it should be banned due to its destructive power and ability to incite deadly fires. The system's rockets reach their target in just 6-15 seconds. Due to its mode of operation, the TOS-1 has earned the moniker of "a hellish weapon."
The TOS-1A, used by Russians in Ukraine, is particularly effective in eliminating enemy forces from fortifications and buildings. Its operation relies on using thermobaric charges that draw oxygen from the surroundings, creating a vacuum and generating a shock wave. The effects of its explosions are comparable to nuclear weapons, though without radiation.
TOS-1 systems - a key target for Ukrainians
Despite its power, the TOS-1A has significant limitations. Its range is only about four miles, making it vulnerable to attacks from drones and anti-tank missiles. Russians attempt to protect these systems by mounting anti-drone jammers, but the effectiveness of this solution is limited.
The TOS-1A systems are a key target for Ukrainian armed forces, who successfully destroy them using improvised "kamikaze" drones. Damaging one of the rockets can trigger a chain reaction leading to a spectacular explosion. Despite its destructive power, the TOS-1A remains susceptible to attacks, making it both a dangerous and risky weapon to deploy.
