MOSCOW (Agencies): A Russian 2S5 Giatsint-S self-propelled artillery unit has emerged victorious against a formidable adversary: the M777 howitzer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The clash unfolded in the contested Gulyaypole area, where both sides sought to assert their dominance in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
The US had pledged to provide Ukraine with a total of 90 howitzers, formidable weapons capable of delivering devastating blows across vast distances. These long-range artillery pieces were part of the international effort to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. However, recent events have cast a shadow over this commitment.
According to a senior US defense official, more than 85 of the promised howitzers have already been delivered to Ukraine. Additionally, over 110,000 ammunition rounds were dispatched to support these artillery systems. Ukrainian soldiers underwent rigorous training, with 310 troops mastering the operation of the howitzers, and another 50-plus currently in training. A new two-week course focused on howitzer maintenance has also commenced.
Yet, the Russian Defense Ministry claims a significant development. Their rocket troops and artillery successfully targeted a Ukrainian battery of recently acquired US-made howitzers. The precision strike underscores the escalating tensions and the strategic importance of these weapons on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the Russian Army is pushing the boundaries of artillery technology. Their own long-range howitzer, reportedly the world’s longest-range variant, fired a shot that traveled an astonishing 43.5 miles (70 kilometers) using an M982A1 Excalibur guided artillery shell. While the American counterpart boasts accuracy, the Russian gun’s firing rate of 16 rounds per minute far surpasses its Western competitors, which manage only 3 to 10 rounds per minute.
As the conflict rages on, the spotlight remains on these powerful weapons. German-built howitzers have also played a crucial role, pounding Russian targets and forcing their artillery to retreat from the front lines. The crews skillfully concealed their weapon systems among trees and broken branches, evading Russian drones and maintaining their effectiveness.
In this high-stakes showdown, the clash of artillery echoes across the Ukrainian landscape, shaping the course of the war and testing the limits of military technology.