Russia moves warheads that INCINERATE targets into Ukraine amid Syria airstrikes

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International monitors have spotted TOS-1 Buratino system for first time
Buratino features thermobaric warheads, which create waves of pressure
Can destroy several city blocks in one hit, causing indiscriminate damage
Lethal system 'was not exported to Ukraine before the conflict broke out'
World's attention remains on Syria, where Russia is conducting airstrikes
President Vladimir arrived in Paris today to speak with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine in new push for peace in eastern Ukraine

By Sophie Jane Evans for MailOnline and Reuters

Published: 06:25 EST, 2 October 2015 | Updated: 10:02 EST, 2 October 2015

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Russia has moved a new weapons system equipped with thermobaric warheads into rebel-held Ukraine while the world's attention remains on its airstrikes in Syria, international monitors say.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe - which is monitoring a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine - reports its monitors have seen a mobile TOS-1 Buratino system for the first time.

The Buratino features thermobaric warheads which spread a flammable liquid around a target and then ignite it. It can destroy several city blocks in one strike, causing indiscriminate damage.

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Deadly: The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe - which is monitoring a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine - reports its monitors have seen a mobile TOS-1 Buratino system (pictured) for the first time

Discussions: The OSCE's findings come as President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Paris to speak with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine in a new European push to bring peace to eastern Ukraine. Above, Putin is pictured alongside French President Francois Hollande as the talks begin at the Elysee Palace today

Only Russia produces the system and it was not exported to Ukraine before the conflict broke out, according to IHS Jane's Group and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Its sighting is possible evidence of Moscow's ongoing interest in Ukraine even as it focuses on Syria.

The OSCE's findings are embarrassing for the Kremlin, which has turned down its rhetoric on Ukraine and shifted attention to Syria, where it has begun a series of deadly air strikes.

They come as President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Paris to speak with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine in a revived European push to bring peace to eastern Ukraine.

Putin was pictured shaking hands with French President Francois Hollande as he arrived at the capital's Elysee Palace this morning ahead of the long-awaited summit, which has been overshadowed by international concerns about Russia's military intervention in Syria this week.

Concern: Today's long-awaited summit in Paris has been overshadowed by international concerns about Russia's airstrikes in Syria this week. Above, smokes rises after airstrikes by jets in Homs Province

Aftermath: This image, posted on the Twitter account of Syria Civil Defence - also known as the White Helmets, a volunteer search and rescue group - shows the aftermath of one of the airstrikes in Talbiseh, western Syria

It remains to be seen whether he will be quizzed on the Buratino sighting in eastern Ukraine.

The Russian defence ministry did not reply to written questions from Reuters about whether Ukrainian rebels were supplied with the lethal weapons system or where it had been exported.

Russia denies its military is even in Ukraine. But there have been numerous signs that Moscow backed the rebels with troops and equipment.

Last year, reporters spotted two burnt-out tanks which military experts identified as Russian army tanks in rebel-held territory.

Alexander Hug, deputy chief monitor of the OSCE monitoring mission to Ukraine, told Reuters by phone that monitors had spotted the Buratino at a rebel training area in the village of Kruhlyk.

Greeting: Putin was pictured shaking hands with Hollande as he arrived at the Elysee Palace this morning

Leaders: The two leaders are among those making a revived push for peace in rebel-held eastern Ukraine

'We saw the weapon on that training ground,' Hug said.

'Both sides agreed a year ago to withdraw heavy weaponry from the line of contact. Having them near the line of contact is of course a concern as this weapon should be in storage and not be used.'

Hug said the weapons system was 'indiscriminate and very destructive'.

Having them near the line of contact is of course a concern as this weapon should be in storage and not be used

Alexander Hug, OSCE

Meanwhile, the Popular Mechanics website called TOS-1 'hell on earth' for anyone it targeted.

According to IHS Jane's and the Stockholm Institute's unofficial arms transfers database, Russia has only exported the system to Azerbaijan, Iraq and Kazakhstan.

Ukraine said it did not possess the Buratino.

'We have not got them and we have never had it in service,' Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military, told Reuters.

'The Russian army has it. It was used against us in the area of Donetsk airport.'

The Ukrainian defence ministry said on its website in March that the separatists had used seven TOS-1 Buratino systems and that one of them had been destroyed by its forces.

Welcome: French President Francois Hollande welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the palace

In good spirits: Hollande and Merkel, both aged 61, are pictured chatting outside the palace as a band plays

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed more than 8,000 people since it flared in mid-April 2014.

But violence has ebbed in recent weeks to its lowest level since a ceasefire was signed in February, even though Western diplomats say the 12-point peace plan is far from fulfilled.

Rebel leaders this week signed an agreement to extend a withdrawal of weapons to include tanks and smaller weapons systems.

A rebel representative said on Wednesday the agreement could mean an end to the conflict.

Meeting: Left to right, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius hold talks at the Elysee Palace