The British delegation to the Europe’s OSCE watchdog are demanding an answer regarding how a Russian missile system has ended up in the hands of separatist forces in Ukraine.

The TOS-1 “тяжёлая огнемётная система” in Russian (English: Heavy Flamethrower System) is a multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed for defeating enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport.

The organisation had previously come under criticism in the Russian–Ukraine conflict. During the War in Donbass, an OSCE observer allowed Russian separatists to use the organisation’s marked vehicle, the organisation issued a statement regretting the incident.

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The UK’s Delegation to the OSCE said in a statement:

“The OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission observed on the 25th September at a separatist-controlled training area in Kruhlyk, a heavy multiple launch thermobaric rocket system, TOS-1 Buratino. This weapon system, which spreads and ignites a flammable liquid over its target, causes indiscriminate and terrible damage. The Buratino is produced in Russia and has never been exported to Ukraine.”

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world’s largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control and the promotion of human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections. It employs around 400 people in its secretariat in Vienna, Austria, 200 in its institutions and 2,100 field staff. It has its origins in the 1975 Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe held in Helsinki, Finland.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

20 COMMENTS

    • Incorrect. The organisation European Geostrategy rate the United Kingdom as a global power, they define this as:

      “A country lacking the heft or comprehensive attributes of a superpower, but still with a wide international footprint and [military] means to reach most geopolitical theatres, particularly the Middle East, South-East Asia, East Asia, Africa and South America.”

      The British Armed Forces comprise the Royal Navy, a blue-water navy with a comprehensive and advanced fleet; the Royal Marines, a highly specialised amphibious light infantry force; the British Army, the UK’s principal land warfare force; and the Royal Air Force, with a diverse operational fleet consisting of modern fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

      The country is a major participant in NATO and other coalition operations and is also party to the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Recent operations have included Afghanistan and Iraq, peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Cyprus, intervention in Libya and again operations over Iraq and Syria.

      Overseas defence facilities are maintained at Ascension Island, Belize, Brunei, Canada, Diego Garcia, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Kenya, Bahrain and Cyprus.

      The UK still retains considerable economic, cultural, military, scientific and political influence internationally. It’s a recognised nuclear weapons state and its defence budget ranks fifth or sixth in the world.

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