Abstract <p>The problem of melting of an ice layer with inclusions in the form of bubbles with a radiation-absorbing gas has been solved numerically. The problem statement is radiative-conductive heat transfer in a two-phase semi-transparent medium with selective absorption of radiation with a first-order phase transition. The radiative transfer equation was solved by the modified mean flux method with taking into account a wide range of optical properties of the two-phase medium and the radiation source. The temperature fields and the density field of the resulting radiation flux during the melting of the ice layer have been calculated, as well as the melting rate, versus various optical parameters of the medium. The effect of anisotropic scattering by the medium and strong absorption of radiation by the gas on the heating and melting of the ice layer was studied.</p>