Ukrainian partisans have discovered a location in the Simferopol region of Crimea where Russian forces are reportedly stockpiling their weapons. The findings include D-20 or D-30 howitzers, positioned near civilian buildings, raising concerns about the implications of such an action.
The revelation of Russian weaponry in Crimea is attributed to the Ates partisan movement. This group has also highlighted recent unsettling activities of Russian forces in Kakhovka, a city in the Kherson region of Ukraine, including the deployment of Pantsir-S1 systems in the area, as detailed on their Telegram profile and covered by sources like.
Russian howitzers spotted at a railway station
The Ates group has reported the sighting of approximately 11 military trucks and D-20 or D-30 howitzers near a railway station. The partisans suggest that the placement of military hardware in such areas serves as "evidence that the Russian army is positioning military equipment within transport infrastructure to potentially blame Ukrainian forces for attacks on civilian sites." This strategy appears to be a calculated provocation by Russian forces against Ukraine.
It's worth noting that the D-20 howitzer, a 152 mm caliber weapon developed in the 1940s and beginning production in 1955, has undergone various modifications over the years.
The D-20 howitzer, weighing approximately 12,346.5 lbs and requiring a crew of 10 for operation, can extend to nearly 28.5 feet in length, with the barrel alone measuring 17 feet. It can fire different types of ammunition, including fragmentation-high-explosive shells, concrete-piercing shells, and shaped charge projectiles, with a standard shell range of about 11.2 miles and a fire rate of up to six shots per minute.
The D-30 howitzer, a later model with a 122 mm calibre, began production in 1963. This version features a three-legged carriage enabling a full 360-degree firing range, unlike the D-20's two-legged carriage. The D-30 can launch fragmentation-high-explosive and shaped charge projectiles over a distance of approximately 9.6 miles and boasts a higher firing rate of up to eight shots per minute, illustrating advancements in artillery design and capabilities.
