Ukraine's strategic offensive: Taking down russian 2S7 Pion
Ukrainians are systematically working to eliminate Russian support weapons such as defence systems, anti-aircraft systems, radars, and self-propelled artillery. One hazardous system is the 2S7 Pion howitzer, known for its massive destructive power. Here’s what Russian atomic artillery can achieve and how it fares in modern combat.
In the Luhansk region, a Ukrainian drone identified the location of a 2S7 Pion howitzer. They waited to attack with a GMLRS M30A1 rocket until an ammunition vehicle arrived with a fresh supply of shells and propellant charges.
Only then did the Ukrainians launch the rocket, which detonated above the target, raining a characteristic hail of tungsten fragments. These fragments impacted the exposed crew and ignited the ammunition, leading to a significant explosion.
2S7 Pion — a nuclear relic of the Cold War crucial for the Russians
The 2S7 Pion howitzers were developed in the Soviet Union during the 1970s as a heavy, long-range artillery system. Their primary role was to destroy critical targets such as fuel or ammunition depots. Additionally, they could fire shells equipped with a small thermonuclear warhead.
The Russian requirements were met by the 203 mm calibre howitzer mounted on a T-80 tank chassis. This created a self-propelled artillery system with substantial destructive power capable of striking targets over more than 31 kilometres. This was an advancement compared to the 2S1 Gvozdika howitzers of 122 mm calibre, with a range of up to 14 kilometres, or the 2S3 Akatsiya of 152 mm calibre, with a range of 18 kilometres for standard shells.
The 2S7 Pion can fire standard projectiles weighing slightly over 100 kilograms at a rate of up to 1.5 rounds per minute at a distance of 35 kilometres. When using rocket-assisted projectiles, this range increases to around 50 kilometres. Currently, these distances are achievable by modern NATO artillery systems of 155 mm calibre provided to Ukraine. The Russians have brought old Pions out of storage to maintain the capability to reach such distances.
It is worth mentioning, however, that despite their impressive range and immense destructive power, these systems are very vulnerable to attack. Their preparation for firing is time-consuming and requires a crew of up to 14 soldiers. Interestingly, both Russia and Ukraine have exhausted their ammunition for this artillery, and Pions are currently firing American ammunition for M110 howitzers. In Ukraine’s case, they received shells from the USA, while Russia acquired them from Iran.
