Russia's reliance on vintage artillery reveals critical shortages
The Russians are experiencing increasing equipment shortages, and older equipment is being deployed to the front. It has been observed that the Russians are using old M-30 howitzers against the Ukrainians. These howitzers were used during World War II, including in the capture of Berlin. Here's a look at what else this historical artefact can offer.
Due to losses and inadequate production capabilities for artillery system barrels, the Russians are resorting to progressively older solutions. It is noteworthy that in post-Soviet depots, 122 mm and 152 mm calibre towed howitzers can often be seen on new satellite images without barrels, which are compatible with more valuable self-propelled options like the 2S1 Gvozdika or 2S3 Akatsiya.
In the meantime, towed artillery is being substituted with artefacts like M-46 or D-74 cannons, most likely originating from North Korea. Moreover, equipment reserves dating back to the capture of Berlin, such as M-30 howitzers, are being mobilised. In the video below, a relic at an artillery position is shown being struck in the barrel by an FPV drone.
M-30 howitzer - main artillery of the Red Army
The M-30 is a howitzer produced from 1939 until the late 1950s. Its calibre is 122 mm, but due to its short barrel length of 22 calibres (2.7 metres), its range today is not particularly impressive, reaching a maximum of 12 kilometres. It is worth noting that some mortars used by NATO countries can shoot at such a distance.
However, for the Russians, even such artillery is better than none at all and can pose a problem for Ukrainian soldiers without counter-battery support, as this relic can fire up to six shells per minute. Each shell contains about 3.7 kilograms of explosives, and its lethal radius is about 30 metres.
Nonetheless, suppose the Ukrainians possess good reconnaissance in a given region, along with strike-capable FPV drones or "Baba Jaga" and real-time paired artillery. In that case, the M-30 and its crew are, at most, targets in today's battlefield.
