Ukraine changes tactics of using artillery: Peculiarities
Photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces explained the features of the new tactics of artillery use (Getty Images)
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have changed the tactics of using artillery at the front. It now has its peculiarities, says Serhii Musiienko, deputy commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Rocket and Artillery Forces.
“We have changed the tactics of artillery use in general,” he noted.
According to the colonel, the main tactical unit of artillery, according to the artillery's combat manual, is a division, the main firing unit is a battery, and the battery is 4-6 guns. They are deployed in combat order on the field at intervals of about 50 meters and simultaneously perform tasks such as firing or firing on a target.
“The platoon commander, a senior battery officer, controls all the guns of the battery at the firing position. But now such an arrangement is impossible on the field because all of them will be detected and destroyed,” the soldier explained.
According to Musiienko, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have dispersed artillery first of all.
“We are not standing in combat formations, now each gun acts as a separate firepower, it is autonomous, has its communication, and performs tasks in cooperation with another gun that is located at a distance,” he said.
Izium operation example
According to the Deputy Commander, during the Izium operation, he first noticed that Russians deployed artillery in a classic combat formation - in divisions, in a line. It was enough to hit the ammunition truck, not their guns, with even one gun to wreak havoc on the position.
“According to their rules of engagement, ammunition trucks are located somewhere in the area of 200-300 meters from the guns. If these 5-6 vehicles start burning, detonating, exploding, it was much more effective, and their entire division is unable to perform the task,” he said.
Now, according to Musiienko, the Russians have also moved to a cannon position, although they did not do it immediately because they did not have a means of communication.
“When the Russian occupiers came in, they didn't even have cell phones. They used ordinary radios that allowed us to listen to them. That's why they were all grouped in directions and we could hit them. These are the first 4-5 months when they suffered huge losses during the advance,” he explained.
Rare types of Russian artillery at the front
Russia has started using a rare 122-mmD-74 cannon at the front. Russian occupiers have never had it in their warehouses.
North Korea has these D-74s, and the same artillery systems under the Type 59 index were once produced by China.
