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Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets - OSCE | Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets - OSCE |
(35 minutes later) | |
International monitors say they have found a new type of Russian-made rocket system in rebel-held eastern Ukraine. | International monitors say they have found a new type of Russian-made rocket system in rebel-held eastern Ukraine. |
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) spotted the powerful TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket launcher in Luhansk. | The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) spotted the powerful TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket launcher in Luhansk. |
It came as the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France were discussing the withdrawal of more heavy weapons from the front line. | |
Moscow denies sending troops and heavy weapons to the pro-Russian separatists. | Moscow denies sending troops and heavy weapons to the pro-Russian separatists. |
However, the Kremlin admits that Russian "volunteers" are fighting alongside the rebels. | However, the Kremlin admits that Russian "volunteers" are fighting alongside the rebels. |
Indiscriminate damage | Indiscriminate damage |
The OSCE, which is monitoring the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, said in a statement that it found the Buratino on a military training ground run by the so-called People's Republic of Luhansk in the village of Kruhlyk. | The OSCE, which is monitoring the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, said in a statement that it found the Buratino on a military training ground run by the so-called People's Republic of Luhansk in the village of Kruhlyk. |
The rockets have two types of warhead - either incendiary, which can spread flames over tens of kilometres, or thermobaric, which sucks up oxygen to boost the explosion. | The rockets have two types of warhead - either incendiary, which can spread flames over tens of kilometres, or thermobaric, which sucks up oxygen to boost the explosion. |
A spokesman for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine told the BBC the discovery was particularly significant because of the damage the rockets could cause. | A spokesman for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine told the BBC the discovery was particularly significant because of the damage the rockets could cause. |
"This is a very destructive weapon which is fired indiscriminately," he said. | "This is a very destructive weapon which is fired indiscriminately," he said. |
Russian-made Grad rockets have been used by both sides in the conflict, but the Buratino is a more powerful system. | Russian-made Grad rockets have been used by both sides in the conflict, but the Buratino is a more powerful system. |
TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket system | TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket system |
Sources: Russian Defence Ministry, TV Zvezda | Sources: Russian Defence Ministry, TV Zvezda |
Ukraine crisis: Russia tests new weapons | Ukraine crisis: Russia tests new weapons |
Ukraine 'can't stop Russian armour' | Ukraine 'can't stop Russian armour' |
Ukraine's military previously said the Buratino - nicknamed "scorched earth" in Russia - had been used against government troops in rebel-held eastern Ukraine. | Ukraine's military previously said the Buratino - nicknamed "scorched earth" in Russia - had been used against government troops in rebel-held eastern Ukraine. |
But the OSCE told the BBC the sighting on 25 September was the first it had on record. | But the OSCE told the BBC the sighting on 25 September was the first it had on record. |
Only Russia produces the system, according to defence analysis group IHS Jane's and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. | Only Russia produces the system, according to defence analysis group IHS Jane's and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. |
Russian troops used it in Afghanistan in the 1980s against the Mujahideen and in Chechnya against separatist rebels in 1999-2000. | Russian troops used it in Afghanistan in the 1980s against the Mujahideen and in Chechnya against separatist rebels in 1999-2000. |
Russia has sold a more advanced version - Solntsepyok ("heat of the sun") - to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Iraq. | Russia has sold a more advanced version - Solntsepyok ("heat of the sun") - to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Iraq. |
However, experts say the Buratino was not exported to Ukraine before the conflict in the east of the country broke out last year. | However, experts say the Buratino was not exported to Ukraine before the conflict in the east of the country broke out last year. |
Summit overshadowed | Summit overshadowed |
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday for the first time since they agreed a peace deal for Ukraine in Minsk in February. | Russian President Vladimir Putin met Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday for the first time since they agreed a peace deal for Ukraine in Minsk in February. |
The Normandy Four meeting assessed all elements of the Minsk deal, including the withdrawal of heavy weapons, President Hollande said after the talks. | |
It comes days after Kiev and the pro-Moscow rebels finally agreed to withdraw more weapons from the front line. | It comes days after Kiev and the pro-Moscow rebels finally agreed to withdraw more weapons from the front line. |
However, international concerns about Russia's air strikes in Syria overshadowed proceedings in Paris. | However, international concerns about Russia's air strikes in Syria overshadowed proceedings in Paris. |
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of arming the separatists in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and sending regular troops to help them in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. | Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of arming the separatists in eastern Ukraine with heavy weapons and sending regular troops to help them in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. |
Moscow denies this, but admits Russian "volunteers" are fighting with the rebels. | Moscow denies this, but admits Russian "volunteers" are fighting with the rebels. |