TechUkrainian volunteers craft impeccable D-20 howitzer decoy to outsmart Russian forces
Ukrainian volunteers craft impeccable D‑20 howitzer decoy to outsmart Russian forces
Photos circulating in Ukrainian media showcase a towed D-20 howitzer replica, a collaborative effort by volunteers from Transcarpathia. Motivated by witnessing soldiers in combat areas improvising artillery decoys with limited resources—often resulting in unconvincing outcomes—these volunteers sought to create a cheap but indistinguishable mock-up of the 152-mm weapon, setting a standard for future decoys.
3:55 PM EST, March 8, 2024
According to its creators, the decoy's striking resemblance to the actual artillery piece is expected to play a pivotal role in outmaneuvering Russian forces.
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The convincing facsimile aims to draw Russian fire, depleting their ammunition reserves more rapidly and exposing the locations of their artillery units.
This tactical advantage is achieved with a decoy costing approximately 200,000 hryvnias (around 8,000 USD)—a modest sum compared to the artillery it imitates. One designer humorously remarked his ultimate goal: for the decoy to be targeted by a Lancet missile, which costs about 40,000 dollars, offering a direct financial blow to the adversary.
Originating in the 1940s within the Soviet Union, the D-20 howitzer's production kicked off in 1955. Throughout the years, this weapon underwent various modifications, with its copies and variants spreading across numerous countries. The D-20 can fire 152 mm caliber shells over a range of 10.5-14.9 miles, depending on the ammunition type.
Weighing in at 6.2 tons and measuring 28.5 feet in length when ready for transport, the howitzer requires a crew of 8-10 soldiers for operation. Its firing capabilities include up to 6 shots per minute and a maximum of 65 shots per hour, standing as a testament to its enduring relevance and potency on the battlefield.
