Ukrainian strikes force russia into bizarre battlefield fixes
For months, Ukrainians have been systematically targeting Russian artillery, creating significant challenges for the Russians in replacing their lost equipment. In response, some Russians have taken matters into their own hands, employing front-line engineering solutions that often take on unusual forms. One example is a towed Howitzer cobbled from scrap metal and parts of a damaged BMP-1.
4:14 PM EDT, July 1, 2024
It's important to mention that both Ukrainians and Russians engaged in improvisation during the conflict. However, Ukrainian projects typically serve a clear purpose, while Russian modifications often appear disorganized and use scrap as armor without much rationale.
Of course, some successful Russian improvisations, such as "armored barns," can resist simple FPV drones. However, the towed howitzer with a 2.87-inch caliber, created by attaching a turret—most likely from a non-combat capable BMP-1 armored personnel carrier (APC)—to nearby scrap does not fit into the category of successful modifications.
Scrap and BMP-1 artillery - such a combination makes no sense
The 2A28 Grom gun, with a 2.87-inch caliber used in BMP-1 APCs, was revolutionary 50 years ago due to its 6-8 rounds per minute firing rate. However, it is now ineffective against armored targets. Automatic cannons are more suitable for taking out infantry hiding in fortifications or buildings. This is one of the reasons the 2A28 Grom cannon was abandoned in the BMP-2.
Interestingly, Ukrainians had started using their BMP-1 APCs as improvised artillery. The artillery has a range of 2.8 miles or slightly more if the turret is angled differently. The rounds used are OG-15V high-explosive fragmentation shells, which have destructive power comparable to mortar rounds.
While this makes some sense for the BMP-1, which can quickly relocate after firing a few shots, the same cannot be said for the Russians' towed howitzer configuration.
Whenever this improvised artillery is fired, it attracts counter-battery fire within minutes. Additionally, the footage reveals that the Russian construction lacks proper stabilization, causing it to shift after firing. This lack of stability makes accurate targeting impossible, resulting in shells landing haphazardly.
