Tuesday 9 January 2024

Shoot-and-Scoot Artillery : Russian Akatsiya Crews Keep the Pressure on Ukrainian Troops

Shoot-and-Scoot Artillery : Russian Akatsiya Crews Keep the Pressure on Ukrainian Troops

Shoot-and-Scoot Artillery : Russian Akatsiya Crews Keep the Pressure on Ukrainian Troops











The 2S3 Akatsiya, a tracked 152mm self-propelled howitzer, stands as a testament to Soviet engineering prowess. Developed in the late 1960s and officially accepted into Soviet service in 1971, the Akatsiya (literally acacia flower) has become a formidable weapon in the hands of the Russian military.







At the heart of the 2S3's capabilities lies its 28-caliber-long 152mm howitzer, a development of the D-20 towed howitzer.


With a maximum range of 17.4 km using standard ammunition and an extended reach of 20.5 km with rocket-assisted projectiles, the Akatsiya poses a significant threat on the battlefield.


The artillery system boasts a maximum rate of fire of four rounds per minute and a sustained fire capability of one round per minute. With a total ammunition capacity of 46 rounds carried within the vehicle, the 2S3 has a lasting and imposing presence on the front lines.


The crews operating the Russian Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system employ a strategy of barrage fire to neutralize Ukrainian troops and military equipment.


In executing this tactic, the self-propelled artillery system crew consistently engages in dynamic maneuvers. The personnel swiftly assume a firing position, discharge 5 or 6 shells, and promptly withdraw to seek protective cover.


These precision strikes from the formidable artillery deter the enemy's ability to mobilize reserves — and also provide crucial support for the advance of Russian assault detachments.



Russia Strikes Ukrainian Military Facilities With Kinzhal Missiles - MoD



Russia dramatically ramped up missile strikes targeting Ukraine's energy and military infrastructure in late December, attacking ammunition and fuel depots, airfields, military HQs, and other pertinent targets.


©Sputnik/Russian Ministry of Defense/Go to the mediabank


Russia has launched a new round of strikes against Ukrainian military targets, including military production facilities and a decision-making center, using Kinzhal missiles and other precision weapons, the Ministry of Defense has announced.


"This morning, massed strikes were carried out using high-precision, long-range sea and air-based weapons, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile system, against facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine," the MoD said in a statement Monday afternoon.


The operation included missile, artillery and drone attacks against Ukrainian forces in 108 separate areas and against 113 artillery units and firing positions. They included a strike on a facility known to be used as a meeting place by commanders of Ukraine's 101st Territorial Defense Brigade.


The MoD's report follows reports by Ukrainian media Monday morning of air raid sirens and explosions in Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Khmelnitsky, Krivoy Rog and other cities and regions. Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny confirmed that Russian strikes had hit infrastructure, industrial and military facilities, but did not elaborate on the targets.


Russia dramatically ramped up its strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, military bases, military production facilities, and decision-making centers last month, in the wake of Ukrainian attacks on Russian Black Sea Fleet assets using NATO-provided naval and aerial drones. Kiev responded with terror bombings against cities and settlements in the Donbass and Belgorod, with Moscow firing back with further attacks on targets in Ukrainian rear areas.


Russia first began targeting Ukrainian energy, defense sector, command and communications infrastructure in October 2022 after a Ukrainian attack on the Crimean Bridge, but the military has sought to avoid targeting residential buildings or social infrastructure.



T-80BVM: the 'Flying Fortress' Enters the Scene in Special Op Zone



The T-80BVM, an enhanced version of the T-80BV main battle tank, has recently made its debut on the Zaporozhye front to praise from the military. Unveiled to the public in 2017, the latest model is part of Russia's impressive fleet of approximately 4,500 T-80 main battle tanks.


©Sputnik/Alexey Maishev


The T-80 family earned its moniker the "Flying Tank" by being the first mass-produced tanks with a gas turbine engine, giving exceptional mobility.


The recent T-80BVM upgrade keeps that advantage while adding better armor protection and other advanced features.


The T-80BVM introduces key upgrades, including the Relikt explosive reactive armor (ERA), also seen on the latest T-90 models.


This armor provides robust defense against even tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads, and reduces the penetration of armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds by over 50 percent.


Enhancements extend to rubber side skirts include built-in armor plates, cage armor for the hull and turret rear and a passive countermeasures system.


The T-80BVM builds on the already formidable protection of the T-80 series, earning its reputation as a modern armored fortress on the battlefield.







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