On November 19, the Russian Armed Forces celebrate the Day of Missile Troops and Artillery. How are these weapons used in the Russian special military operation zone? Sputnik explores.
It’s safe to say that Russian artillery and missile forces currently play an extremely important role in the Ukraine conflict, Alexei Podberyozkin, a military expert and director of the MGIMO University Center of Military and Political Studies, told Sputnik.
“For the Russian Armed Forces, this is the most significant military branch that is being used in the special military operation in Ukraine,” he pointed out.
When asked about the missions this branch of the army implements in the special operation zone, Podberyozkin mentioned: “High-precision weapons that destroy fortified areas” of the Ukrainian troops.
These include enemy infantry hiding in trenches and dugouts, which are wiped out by Russian artillery and missile systems, according to the expert.
He was echoed by Earl Rasmussen, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel and International Consultant, who told Sputnik that he thinks “The Russian artillery and missile capabilities have been exceptional."
Reports by Russia’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) indicate that in the course of the special operation, Russian forces use various types of artillery and missile equipment with the Ground Forces.
These include self-propelled and towed howitzers and mortars, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of all calibers, as well as operational-tactical missile systems (OTMS) fitted with ballistic and cruise missiles.
Cannon Artillery
Also known as non-rocket artillery, it includes the 152 mm howitzers Msta-B, Giatsint (Hyacinth)-B and D-20, as well as the 122 mm howitzer D-30 and the 100 mm anti-tank gun Rapira (Small Sword).
In addition, Russian forces use the self-propelled artillery systems Gyatsint-S, Akatsia (Acacia) and Msta-S of 152 mm caliber, as well as the 122 mm Gvozdika (Pink) and the 120 mm 2S9 Nona systems.
Also in place in the special operation zone are the self-propelled 203 mm 2S7 Pion (Peony) cannons and its modernized version 2S7M Malka, plus the world's only 240 mm self-propelled mortars 2S4 Tulpan (Tulip), which is equipped with 130 kg projectiles and has a range of 18 km (11 miles).
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Podberyozkin touted the Tulpan as a mortar with “fantastic accuracy," saying: “When I used to fire it, I managed to place one funnel next to another.”
MLRS Systems
The multiple launch rocket systems include the 122 mm Grad (Hail) MLRS and its highly upgraded version, the Tornado-G, which has an increased range of 40 km (24 miles). The system also features automated aiming and navigation equipment.
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Podberyozkin told Sputnik that Russian troops stationed in the special operation zone also use the Tornado-S - “A unique and perfect long-range MLRS with a range of 120 km (72 miles).”
Rasmussen, for his part, called the Tornado-S “a little bit more accurate than the [US-made] HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System].”
Apart from the Grad, the Tornado-G and the Tornado-S, Russian troops use the 220 mm BM-27 Uragan (Hurricane) MLRS, which a range of 34 km (21 miles). Also being used in the special operation zone is the 300 mm Smerch (Twister) MLRS with a range of 70 km (43 miles).
OTMS Systems
This includes the Iskander-M mobile short-range ballistic missile system, which is designed to destroy enemy command posts, communications nodes, tactical aircraft parked on airfields and other critical targets at a distance of up to 500 km (310 miles).
©Sputnik/KB Mashinostroyeniya
The system is equipped with two main types of missiles: the quasi-ballistic 9M723 with electronic warfare modules for radio interference and the ability to control the entire flight path, and the cruise missile R-500, capable of automatically sweeping around the terrain when flying at low altitude, which gives it low-vulnerability to enemy air defense systems.
Kinzhal Complex
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Dagger) is a Russian hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, with a range of up to 2,000 km (1,240 miles) and speed of up to Mach 10. The missile can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads and can be launched by the Tu-22M3 bombers or the MiG-31K interceptors.
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“It's a very impressive weapon system,” which is “very accurate, powerful and almost indestructible,” Rasmussen said, adding that thanks to its speed, the Kinzhal is “very difficult to intercept.”
Watch Russian Kamikaze Drones Hit Ukrainian Troops and Equipment
Russian troops used kamikaze drones with high-impact munitions against Ukraine’s manpower and military equipment in the special operation zone.
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released footage showing troops deploying loitering munitions (often referred to as kamikaze drones) against the enemy’s positions in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Kamikaze (or ‘suicide’) drones have increased combat capabilities and are able to carry out high-precision surgical strikes. The drone can passively wait in a target area, looking for its prey, and then attack once the target is identified and located.
Such munitions are also capable of selective targeting, i.e. aborting or re-directing the strike during combat missions.
Russia’s Lancet Drones Become ‘Scourge on the Battlefield’ for Ukraine – Report
The drones are used in the Russian special operation zone to target various Ukrainian military assets, including howitzers, armored vehicles, and multiple launch rocket systems, as well as command and observation posts and troops.
A sophisticated version of Russia’s Lancet kamikaze drone – also referred to as loitering munition – is becoming an increasing threat to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a US media outlet has reported after analyzing a video released by the Russian Armed Forces.
It appears that the newer Lancet's warheads blow up in the air before firing explosively formed penetrators, such as slugs of molten metal, toward the target, something that helps the Russian unmanned aerial vehicle to evade Ukrainian defenses, according to the outlet.
2. Russian Lancet suicide drones hitting Bradley infantry fighting vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine i pic.twitter.com/6nearUhhdC
— cvetko35 (@cvetko35) November 9, 2023
“Russia's Lancet drones have become a scourge on the battlefield in Ukraine, and have been advancing in their range and capabilities.”
An informed source earlier told Sputnik that their ZALA AERO manufacturer had recently unveiled a range of revolutionary upgrades for the Lancet's hardware and software systems.
“These advancements enable the flexible deployment of kamikaze drones even in situations where targets are not directly visible. Separately, new design-related solutions were also used,” the source added.
The Lancets, alongside various other types of drones, are widely used in the Russian special military operation zone to tackle Kiev’s counteroffensive, which Russian President Vladimir Putin called "more of a failure than a stalemate."
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