Russia’s Msta-S: The Self-Propelled Howitzer That Destroyed Ukrainian Fortifications?

 Russia's Msta-S: The Self-Propelled Howitzer That Destroyed Ukrainian Fortifications?

In this blog post, I will analyze the recent claim by the Russian Ministry of Defense that it used the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer to destroy Ukrainian fortified positions near the border. I will also compare the Msta-S with other weapons used by both sides in the ongoing war, and discuss the implications for the region and the world.

## What is the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer?

The Msta-S self-propelled howitzer is a 152.4 mm artillery system that was designed by the Soviet Union and entered service in 1989. The Msta-S can fire high-explosive, armor-piercing, cluster, and guided projectiles, and has a maximum range of 30 kilometers. It can also operate in direct fire mode, without preliminary preparation of the firing position.

The Msta-S is mounted on a tracked chassis, and has a crew of five: commander, driver, gunner, loader, and radio operator. The Msta-S has a rate of fire of 6-8 rounds per minute, and can carry 50 rounds of ammunition. The Msta-S is equipped with a fire control system, a laser rangefinder, a ballistic computer, and a navigation system. The Msta-S can also receive target data from drones, satellites, or other sources.

The Msta-S is considered one of the most modern and powerful artillery systems in the world, and has been exported to several countries, such as Algeria, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, and Vietnam. The Msta-S has also been upgraded and modified over the years, with the latest version being the Msta-SM2, which has improved mobility, protection, accuracy, and automation.

## How did Russia use the Msta-S in the war with Ukraine?

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2024, in what it calls a "special military operation" to "liberate the Donbas". Since then, the two countries have been engaged in a fierce and bloody war, with thousands of casualties on both sides. The international community has condemned Russia's aggression and imposed sanctions, but so far, no effective diplomatic solution has been reached.

One of the weapons that Russia has been using in this war is the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer. The Russian Ministry of Defense has released several videos showing the Msta-S in action, claiming that it has destroyed Ukrainian armored vehicles, command posts, and fortifications. The most recent video, which you can watch below, was published on June 3, 2024, and shows the Msta-S firing at targets near a forest belt. The Russian MoD said that the targets were uncovered by Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles, and that the Msta-S inflicted maximum damage on them, including deep concrete enemy fortifications.

[](https://goldpenguin.org/blog/youtube-videos-to-blogs-content-at-scale/)

However, some experts and analysts have questioned the veracity and accuracy of these videos, and suggested that they may be part of a propaganda campaign by the Russian government to boost its domestic and international image, and to demoralize the Ukrainian forces and population. They point out that the videos do not show the actual impact of the shells, nor the aftermath of the strikes. They also note that the videos do not provide any context or location of the targets, and that they may be staged or edited.

## How does the Msta-S compare with other weapons used by both sides?

The Msta-S is not the only weapon that has been used by both sides in the war. The Ukrainian military has also been using the Msta-S, as well as other advanced weapons, such as the Javelin anti-tank missile, the Bayraktar TB2 drone, and the Neptune cruise missile, to counter the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian General Staff has also released its own videos and statistics, showing the damage and losses inflicted on the Russian forces. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, between February 24 and June 2, 2024, Russia has lost about 30,850 personnel, 1,363 tanks, 3,354 armored fighting vehicles, 661 artillery systems, 207 multiple launch rocket systems, 95 anti-aircraft systems, 210 warplanes, 175 helicopters, 2,325 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 521 unmanned aerial vehicles, 51 units of special equipment, and 120 cruise missiles.

[![Ukrainian Msta-S]]

The Msta-S is not the only self-propelled howitzer that has been used in the war. Both sides have also deployed other types of artillery, such as the 2S1 Gvozdika, the 2S3 Akatsiya, the 2S19 Msta-SM, the 2S35 Koalitsiya-SV, the 2S7 Pion, the 2S9 Nona, the 2S31 Vena, the BM-21 Grad, the BM-27 Uragan, the BM-30 Smerch, the TOS-1 Buratino, and the TOS-2 Tosochka. These systems have different calibers, ranges, and capabilities, and have been used for various purposes, such as fire support, counter-battery, suppression, destruction, and intimidation.

[](https://cappuccinoandfashion.com/turn-youtube-video-into-blog-post/)

## What are the implications of the Msta-S and the war for the region and the world?

The use of the Msta-S and other weapons in the war between Russia and Ukraine has significant implications for the region and the world. The war has escalated the tensions and instability in Eastern Europe, and has threatened the security and sovereignty of other neighboring countries, such as Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. The war has also increased the humanitarian and economic crisis in the Donbas region, where millions of people have been displaced, injured, or killed. The war has also strained the relations and cooperation between Russia and the West, and has challenged the role and credibility of international organizations, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The war has also raised the question of the future of nuclear weapons and arms control in the world. Ukraine is one of the few countries that voluntarily gave up its nuclear arsenal after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in exchange for security guarantees from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. However, Russia's violation of this agreement and its invasion of Ukraine have undermined the trust and confidence in the non-proliferation regime, and have prompted some voices in Ukraine and elsewhere to call for the restoration or acquisition of nuclear weapons as a deterrent against further aggression. The war has also highlighted the need for modernizing and updating the existing treaties and mechanisms for regulating and reducing the conventional and nuclear weapons in Europe and beyond, such as the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the New START Treaty, and the Open Skies Treaty.

## Conclusion

The Msta-S self-propelled howitzer is one of the most advanced and powerful artillery systems in the world, and has been used by Russia and Ukraine in the ongoing war. The Msta-S has demonstrated its effectiveness and versatility in destroying various targets, but has also raised doubts and controversies about its accuracy and legitimacy. The Msta-S is not the only weapon that has been used in the war, as both sides have deployed other types of artillery, as well as tanks, missiles, drones, and aircraft. The war has had serious consequences for the region and the world, and has posed challenges and opportunities for the international community to address the issues of security, stability, sovereignty, humanitarianism, and disarmament.