Ukrainian drone destroys two Russia’s most potent self-propelled guns 25 km behind lines

Since the full-scale invasion's outset, Russia lost at least 29 of its 60 valuable Pion SPGs.

Oct 28, 2024 - 04:00
Ukrainian drone destroys two Russia’s most potent self-propelled guns 25 km behind lines

ukrainian drone destroys two russia's most potent self-propelled guns 25 km behind lines dropes munition russian 2s7 pion artillery pieces near horlivka donetsk oblast 27 october 2024 earlier

Ukrainian forces have destroyed two Russian 2S7 Pion self-propelled artillery systems near occupied Horlivka in Donetsk Oblast, the 100th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

The Pion, also known as 2S7M Malka, is considered Russia’s most powerful artillery piece, with a firing range of 37.5 kilometers and shells weighing 103 kilograms. According to the Oryx open-source intelligence project, Russia has lost at least 29 2S7(M) Pion/Malka systems since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As of 2022, Russia had approximately 60 modernized 2S7M in active service and 260 mothballed 2S7, according to Military Balance.

The operation was carried out by the Brigade’s drone battalion approximately 25 kilometers behind enemy lines, using bomber drone strikes. The aerial reconnaissance was coordinated by the National Police’s Lut’ (Fury) Joint Assault Brigade.

The 2S7 Pion, a Soviet-era 203mm self-propelled artillery system has been in service since 1975. It was designed to suppress rear areas, destroying high-priority targets. The gun is capable of firing nuclear ammunition.

Recently, Ukrainian Defense Forces also reported destroying a Buk-M2 air defense radar station and striking a Buk-M3 system on 25 October. The same day, Ukrainian paratroopers revealed evidence of destroyed Russian equipment along what they called a “road of death” in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

Ukrainian forces destroy Russian 2S7 Pion heavy artillery with cluster munition

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. 

We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.

A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.

Become a Patron!