Crews operating TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems with Russia’s Sever Group of Forces are using decoy equipment and false firing positions to make it harder for Ukrainian forces to locate the real launchers. The crews also regularly change deployment areas, routes and reloading points after carrying out fire missions.

A heavy flamethrower platoon commander with the call sign Klen told RIA Novosti that Ukrainian units closely monitor the Solntsepek systems and attempt to track both their movements and firing locations.

To disrupt that surveillance, the crews avoid remaining at the same sites for long. They rotate firing and standby positions, coordinate with electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups, and deploy mock-ups alongside specially prepared false positions.

According to Klen, the systems strike concentrations of personnel, fortified firing points and areas where Ukrainian forces are gathered on a daily basis, reducing their combat capability.

Over the past week, TOS-1A crews from the 6th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Sever Group of Forces destroyed more than ten Ukrainian positions and strongpoints in the Kharkov Region, the commander said.

Russian units of the Sever Group of Forces continue combat operations in the Kharkov Region, tightening the encirclement and destroying Ukrainian formations inside it.