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Russia Orders New 122mm Guided Artillery Shells With Unknown Designation
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia has placed an order for 100 guided artillery shells in the 122mm caliber range under the previously unreported index KV122, according to procurement records reviewed by Militarnyi on January 27.
The shells are being manufactured by the Instrument Design Bureau (КБП) based in Tula, Russia. Each round is priced at approximately 5.71 million rubles—around $71,000 at current exchange rates.
The documents do not explicitly identify the munition, but Militarnyi suggests the order likely refers to the “Kitolov-2M,” a laser-guided shell designed for use with Soviet-era D-30 howitzers and 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.
Like the better-known 152mm Krasnopol guided artillery round, the Kitolov-2M relies on semi-active laser guidance. It homes in on targets illuminated by a laser designator and adjusts its trajectory using an onboard passive infrared seeker.
The Kitolov-2M has an effective firing range of up to 12 kilometers and carries a 5.3 kg explosive warhead. By contrast, the Krasnopol has a range of around 25 kilometers and delivers 9 to 11 kg of explosives, depending on the version.
In April 2025, the Kalashnikov Concern, which oversees KBP, announced an increase in the production of precision-guided munitions including the Kitolov-2M. The rounds are now reportedly being assembled on newly launched production lines established in late 2024.
The use of guided 122mm artillery remains rare compared to 152mm systems, but the order suggests an effort to expand Russia’s options for precision strikes using legacy artillery platforms still widely deployed in the war against Ukraine.
Earlier, Army Recognition reported that Russia had begun frontline deliveries of Krasnopol-M2 laser-guided shells, aiming to enhance precision strike capabilities amid Ukraine’s electronic warfare efforts. The 152mm projectiles, less susceptible to GPS jamming, are used in coordination with drones to target Ukrainian positions at distances up to 25 kilometers.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
