Ukraine's howitzer losses mount as the fourth 2S22 Bogdana destroyed
Ukrainians are experiencing additional losses of some of their most potent howitzers. The long-elusive Ukrainian 2S22 Bogdana units are now being destroyed one after another. This is the fourth documented loss within a week. Here is a reminder of this weapon's capabilities.
A few days ago, a recording was released online showing the alleged destruction of a French CAESAR howitzer in Ukraine. However, it quickly became apparent that it was one of the newest weapons produced by Ukrainians, the 2S22 Bogdana howitzer, whose first documented hit by the Russians only appeared in February 2024.
Russian kamikaze drones destroyed three units of this weapon within a few days. Now, the aggressor's army has added another valuable weapon to the list of losses on the Ukrainian side. Kyiv loses the fourth Bogdana howitzer within a week.
Used to shell Snake Island: the 2S22 Bogdana howitzer
The Bogdana was designed as the first Ukrainian artillery construction adapted to fire standard NATO shells, which are 155 mm in calibre.
Even in 2016, when the Ukrainians decided to build the 2S22, it was considered that Bogdana would replace Soviet-era weapons in the future. Its prototype appeared shortly after construction began in 2018. Tests started a year later and are essentially ongoing today amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The 2S22 Bogdana became famous during the battle for Snake Island, providing fire support.
The Ukrainian defence industry currently allows the production of only a few 2S22 Bogdanas per month. Therefore, these continuously improved (based on front-line experiences) constructions regularly support the defenders' army. Still, the Russians are not leaving these supplies unanswered and are eliminating additional units from combat, obliterating them.
This howitzer, mounted on a KrAZ-6322 (6x6) wheeled chassis, reaches a range of 40 km. The range can be increased by using rocket-assisted shells. In that case, the Bogdana, with its 155 mm calibre barrel and a length of 52 calibres, can shell enemy positions up to 60 km away. It conducts firing at six rounds per minute and can hold a maximum of 20 rounds of ammunition.
The crew does not need support to operate the 2S22 Bogdana. The nearly 30,000 kg construction features an automated loading system, so the small crew does not have to manually load shells, which is not the case with older Soviet-era constructions. The fire control system supplied by Siemens ensures the accuracy of the shelling.
