Deadly Russian Weapon System Equipped With Thermobaric Warheads Spotted In Ukraine

A Russian "TOS-1 Buratino" multiple rocket launcher fires during the "Russia Arms Expo 2013" 9th international exhibition of arms, military equipment and ammunition, in the Urals city of Nizhny Tagil, September 25, 2013. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

Reuters: Deadly Russian rocket system spotted in Ukraine for first time

International monitors say they have spotted a new kind of Russian weapons system in rebel-held Ukraine this week, possible evidence of Moscow's continued interest in Ukraine even as it focuses on Syria.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is monitoring a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, reported that its monitors had seen a mobile TOS-1 'Buratino' weapons system for the first time.

The Buratino is equipped with thermobaric warheads which spread a flammable liquid around a target and then ignite it. It can destroy several city blocks in one strike and cause indiscriminate damage.

Update #1: Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets - OSCE -- BBC
Update #2: Russia moves thermobaric warheads that INCINERATE targets into Ukraine while world's attention is on Syria -- Daily Mail

WNU Editor: The world is focused on the Middle East .... so the attention and analysis that this deployment deserves from the global media is not there. As to what is my take .... I believe these weapon systems are a gift to the rebels (with strings attach) where Moscow is telling them that they will continue to support them but they cannot  "make any waves" .... and the reason being is that all of Moscow's attention is on the Middle East right now. It is also a message to Kiev .... where Russia is telling them that even though Moscow is preoccupied with the Middle East, the crisis in Ukraine is still a priority.