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

Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed a Russian 2S7 Pion self-propelled artillery system using a cluster munition, according to a video shared by the Special Kherson Cat observer on their X account. The strike, which occurred during an ammunition resupply operation, resulted in the elimination of the gun, its crew, and a substantial amount of ammunition. No location or date of the operation was disclosed.

Despite drone dominance along the front line, artillery remains the primary source of firepower in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Last winter, Ukraine faced a critical shell shortage due to a six-month delay by US Congress Republicans in approving aid funding, alongside the EU’s failure to supply the pledged number of shells. This shortage provided Russia with a battlefield advantage, accelerating gains in eastern Ukraine – a process that continues to this day.

According to Militarnyi, the artillery strike was guided by specialists from the Nebesna Kara (“Heavenly Punishment”) drone battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Mazepa. The timing of the attack proved crucial, as it coincided with the arrival of a truck carrying ammunition, which detonated following the strike.

The destruction of the 2S7 Pion was confirmed by X user 4emberlen, who published a corresponding photograph of the destroyed artillery piece. Given the use of cluster munitions and the subsequent detonation of the ammunition, it is likely that the crew of the 2S7 was either completely eliminated or lost its combat capability.

ukrainian forces destroy russian 2s7 pion heavy artillery cluster munition destroyed self-propelled piece — Destroyed Russian 2S7 Pion heavy self-propelled artillery piece. Screenshot: X/4emberlen

The 2S7 Pion (“Peony”) is a Soviet-era self-propelled artillery system designed for destroying high-value targets and fortifications. It features a 203mm 2A44 gun with a maximum rate of fire of 1.5 rounds per minute and a carried ammunition load of 4 rounds. Depending on the type of ammunition used, the 2S7 Pion has a firing range of 13 to 47 kilometers.

2S7 Pion 203mm self-propelled gun. Image via Militarnyi

According to the OSINT resource Oryx, Russian forces have lost at least 27 2S7 Pion systems (including possible modernized 2S7M Malka versions) to destruction, damage, or capture since the beginning of the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war.

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