Ukraine Spots One of Russia’s Main Self-Propelled Guns—and Takes It Out Almost Immediately

Ukrainian drone operators needed only minutes to locate and destroy a Russian 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, with released footage showing the artillery system bursting into flames before its ammunition began detonating.

The strike was carried out by pilots from the Northern Eagle drone unit of Ukraine’s 151st Separate Mechanized Brigade, the brigade reported on August 11.

According to the unit, Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance first detected the Russian artillery system before strike drones were immediately sent to engage it. Only several minutes passed between the initial sighting and the destruction of the vehicle.

Footage released by the brigade shows the Msta-S being hit and catching fire, followed by secondary detonations from inside the vehicle.

The 2S19 Msta-S is one of the Russian military’s main 152mm self-propelled artillery systems and is regularly used to strike Ukrainian defensive positions, logistics routes, and settlements near the front line.

The system entered service in 1989 and was developed at the Uraltransmash plant to replace older Soviet self-propelled artillery. It uses a tracked chassis incorporating components from both the T-72 and T-80 tank families and is powered by a V-84A diesel engine.

Its steel armor is designed to protect its five-person crew from small-arms fire and artillery fragments.

The Msta-S is armed with a 152mm 2A64 rifled gun equipped with a semi-automatic loading mechanism. When firing ammunition stored onboard, the system can reach a rate of fire of up to eight rounds per minute.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

Russia Sent a Massive Tank Column. Ukraine Left 9 Tanks and 3 BM-21 Rocket Launchers Burning

Jul 24, 2026 16:49

The vehicle carries as many as 50 artillery rounds.

Its ammunition options include high-explosive fragmentation, smoke, illumination, radio-jamming, and other specialized 152mm projectiles. The system can also fire Krasnopol laser-guided precision ammunition.

With conventional high-explosive shells, the Msta-S can engage targets at ranges of approximately 24.7 kilometers, or about 15 miles. Rocket-assisted ammunition can extend that reach to roughly 29 kilometers, or 18 miles.

For close-range protection, the vehicle also carries a remotely operated 12.7mm machine gun mounted on top of the turret.

Previously, Ukrainian FPV drone operators tracked down and destroyed a Russian BM-21 Grad carrying a full ammunition load, triggering an explosion so powerful that only a single wheel was left behind.

Help Ukrainian Units Hold the Drone Line

Download APP