This is a major find. In a video published on Facebook and relayed by the Ukrainian media Defense Express, the Ukrainian army showed images of the seizure by Ukrainian artillerymen of the 24th brigade of the 2S5 Giatsint-S system, a Soviet-designed cannon. According to the brigade, this artillery weapon 152 mm had previously been usurped to another sector of the front, before being put back into service against Russian forces during the fighting that was raging à Chasiv Yar, dans l’oblast de Donetsk. This area is one of the major hotspots in eastern Ukraine where Russian troops have been trying to advance for months.
In the published video, we see the brigade preparing the cannon, loading the ammunition and firing several shells towards the Russian positions. The 2S5 Giatsint-S cannon – which could also have been dismantled to recover the spare parts – was renamed «Kraken» by Ukrainian fighters, thus symbolizing his new role in the hands of the Ukrainians. Tear “is now turning against its former owners”declared the representatives of the brigade.
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A formidable $4 million weapon
Évalué à more than 4 million dollars (around 3.4 million euros) according to The Parisianthe 2S5 Giatsint-S is a Soviet self-propelled artillery system with one of the longest spans. Designed for deep shooting missions, it is equipped with a powerful 152 mm cannonable to reach targets at several tens of kilometersdepending on the type of ammunition used. “This system remains a formidable weapon thanks to its firepower and its range”and despite its age (in service since 1978), specifies Defense Express.
Last week, Ukrainian drone operators reported having destroyed a Russian self-propelled artillery system 2S5 Giatsint-S simple grace FPV attack drones. In a video posted on its Facebook page on May 6, the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukraine expressed its pride by revealing images of the strike on the Giatsint-S, even going so far as to evoke a “gift for Infantry Day”. Last April and February, kyiv had already neutralized two Russian aircraft of this type, also hidden in the woods.
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