Ukrainian Forces Destroy Russian Solntsepek Near Dvorichna in Kharkiv Region

In the Kharkiv region, close to the settlement of Dvorichna, Ukrainian servicemen conducted a successful operation that resulted in the destruction of a Russian heavy flamethrower system, the TOC-1A Solntsepek. This was reported by the 16th Army Corps, which published a video showcasing the moment of the equipment's destruction.

The operation to eliminate the Solntsepek was carried out by drone operators from the 129th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on April 4. According to military sources, the kamikaze drones detected the enemy equipment that was preparing to shell Ukrainian positions, a feat made possible by the coordinated efforts and high qualifications of the Ukrainian military.

It is important to note that Solntsepek systems are typically under enhanced protection from electronic warfare (EW) assets, making their detection and destruction challenging. However, despite these difficulties, Ukrainian servicemen managed to strike directly at the munitions of the system, leading to its destruction. "The result is yet another destroyed unit of heavy enemy equipment. Under the first rays of the spring sun, the Russian Solntsepek turned into a pile of scrap metal," commented the 16th Army Corps.

The TOC-1A Solntsepek is a 220-mm multiple rocket launcher system consisting of 24 launch tubes mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. It is designed to target personnel, fortified positions, and lightly armored vehicles with thermobaric munitions. The system was adopted into service in the early 2000s as an upgrade to the earlier TOC-1 Buratino model. The Solntsepek provides salvo fire at a range of up to 6 kilometers, creating a powerful explosive and incendiary effect over a large area.

In recent months, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have repeatedly struck such systems using FPV drones. For instance, in December 2025, the special operations unit “Lazarus Group” destroyed one Solntsepek system, and in February 2026, fighters from the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporizhians struck and eliminated a TOC-1A directly on Russian territory in the Belgorod region for the first time during the full-scale invasion.

This operation near Dvorichna serves as further confirmation of the high effectiveness of Ukrainian military forces in combating Russian aggression. The destruction of heavy enemy equipment is a crucial element in ensuring the safety of Ukrainian positions and reducing threats to the servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.