The Ukrainian counteroffensive is going slower than many in the West anticipated.
In 32 days of combat, the Ukrainian forces have progressed along several axes of advance in the Donbas and southern Ukraine but have yet to achieve an operational breakthrough. Kyiv is betting a lot on its summer counteroffensive and would ideally want to push as far as the Crimean Peninsula to strengthen its negotiating position.
The fighting on the ground is fierce, with the Russian forces using in-depth defenses to stall the Ukrainian attacks.
After the initial push, the Ukrainian military has adjusted fire and is now deliberately weakening the Russian forces with long-range fires. The Ukrainians have been specifically looking for the Russian artillery.
Hundreds of Artillery Pieces Destroyed
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the Russian forces have lost hundreds of artillery pieces and rocket launchers since the Ukrainian counteroffensive began in early June.
More specifically, the Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed approximately 800 artillery pieces since the Ukrainian counteroffensive began. That is an extraordinarily high number of losses for the Russian military. And although claims from either side should be viewed with a critical eye, Western intelligence services and militaries have largely backed the Ukrainian claims.
Some of the destroyed Russian artillery pieces and multiple rocket launchers include 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm self-propelled howitzers, heavy 2S7M Malka 203mm self-propelled howitzers, BM-21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launchers, and 2B26 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launchers.
Footage from the ground shows that the Ukrainian military is even using its M142 High Mobility Artillery Systems, or HIMARS, and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, or MLRS, to take out Russian artillery. Using these highly precious munitions against single units of Russian artillery signifies the priority that the Ukrainian military leadership has given to the neutralization of Moscow’s long-range fires in the area of the counteroffensive.
By targeting and destroying the Russian artillery, the Ukrainian forces are trying to suppress one of the most significant threats on the battlefield. Even in 2023, artillery remains the single-deadliest weapon on the ground, and both sides have suffered great losses by artillery fire.
Russian artillery is also playing a key part in the defense against the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Russian commanders use it to destroy Ukrainian units that have been pinned down in the extensive minefields.
Ukrainian Long-Range Fires Superiority
When it comes to long-range fires, the Ukrainian military has better weapon systems than its Russian adversary.
Courtesy of the West, the Ukrainian military has in its arsenal some exceptionally capable weapon systems, including the M142 HIMARS, M270 MLRS, M-777 155mm howitzer with the M982 Excalibur precision-guided munition, Pzh2000 155mm self-propelled howitzer, Caesar 155mm self-propelled howitzer, Archer 155mm self-propelled howitzer, AS-90 155mm self-propelled howitzer, and M-109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.
In addition, the Ukrainians have potent counter-battery radar capabilities that allow Ukrainian artillery troops to triangulate the direction of Russian artillery tubes and destroy them with accurate fire.
When it comes to reconnaissance and fire control, both sides are using a plethora of unmanned aerial systems.
A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
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