Ukrainian Artillery Destroys Russian 2S43 Malva Howitzer in Precision Strike, Explosion Captured on Video

The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a missile strike on a Russian 2S43 “Malva” wheeled howitzer, marking only the second documented destruction of this artillery system, which only entered mass production in late 2023 according to Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces on March 3.

Fighters from the 140th Special Operations Center identified the camouflaged artillery position during aerial reconnaissance in Russian-held territory. After confirming the presence of a 2S43 “Malva” self-propelled gun, they relayed the coordinates to a Ukrainian artillery unit, which then carried out a precision missile strike.

The first guided projectile hit the howitzer directly, followed by a cluster munition strike that caused fragmentation damage over a wide area. Objective control footage does not show visible flames or an ammunition detonation, but the proximity of the impact suggests significant damage to the gun’s exposed artillery components.

The strike also injured Russian personnel and damaged an ATV used for logistical support.

There is some uncertainty regarding the exact identification of the destroyed installation. While Ukrainian special forces identified it as a 2S43 “Malva,” it may have been the newer 2S44 “Giatsint-K,” a system that shares the same chassis but is equipped with a different artillery gun.

The 2S44 is fitted with a 2A36 “Giatsint-B” long-range cannon, giving it an extended firing range of 30.5 km with conventional ammunition and 33.1 km when using active-reactive shells.

Footage from the strike also revealed Russian forces using updated 152-mm 3OF95 Krasnopol-M guided shells, indicating an effort to improve precision artillery strikes.

This latest development underscores the ongoing shift in battlefield tactics due to the widespread use of reconnaissance and strike drones. Russian artillery units have increasingly resorted to stationary firing positions, buried in the ground, in an attempt to reduce their vulnerability to aerial reconnaissance and missile strikes.

Earlier, Russia prepared to launch up to 500 drones at Ukraine in a single attack, significantly expanding its aerial assault capabilities, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) deputy chief Vadym Skibitskyi told RBC-Ukraine on March 3.