Russia's continued use of the Tochka-U missile despite its alleged retirement is allowing it to publicly deny attacking civillian areas in Ukraine.
Tochka-U systems were filmed being shipped on a train in Gomel. Russia claims that this video merely shows BAZ-5937 or BAZ-5921 generic 6 wheeled transporters, which could transport a number of systems such as the SA-8 Osa SAM.
However, comparing the vehicle designs show that these vehicles are configured for Tochka-U missiles. Note the "doors" in the top center of the rear, part of a larger panel that opens to expose the Tochka missiles. Credit: Trucksplanet
In contrast, the generic vehicles that Russia claimed was filmed have different designs. Below are the backs of two BAZ-5937 models, one with an SA-8 Osa SAM on it. The rears of these vehicles do not match the known Tochka-U vehicle designs, whereas the ones filmed earlier do.
The analyst in thread even more evidence that the vehicles were Russian given the "V" markings seen in the video, and adds some reasoning as to why it is plausible that Russia used the Tochka given their greater experience with it.
Many countries retire weaponry but keep it in storage just in case they need to field it. The United States keeps its retired F-117 fleet in Type-1000 storage, which is a state that they can be recalled to duty on short notice.
It is possible the Russian Tochka-U systems were placed in a similar state. #Belarus was seen firing its #Tochka-U missiles in Feburary during their Allied Resolve exercise with #Russia prior to the #Russian invasion of #Ukraine.
Russia has since deleted its video denying responsibility for the attack on #Kramatosk and blaming civillian deaths on Ukraine (or had its video removed). Regardless, we hope as OSINT analysts you can hold them accountable for crimes they commit.
