Amid a critical shell shortage as they await shipments from the U.S. military aid package, Ukrainian artillery units are playing a cat-and-mouse game with Russian attack drones. The enemy drones are hunting high-value artillery weapons like German-supplied howitzers, as Moscow pledges to focus its strikes on such weapons.

Donetsk

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian artillery units are engaged in a strategic effort to evade Russian surveillance drones by employing tactics of mobility and concealment. Amid an ongoing shell shortage, and while awaiting further military aid from the United States, these units face intensified challenges on the battlefield. High-value artillery weapons, such as those supplied by Germany, are specifically targeted by Russian forces, illustrating Moscow's commitment to neutralizing these threats.

The artillery units, including the 43rd Artillery Brigade, have reported increased encounters with Russian drones, which have become a significant component of Russia's military capabilities. According to a battery commander identified only by the callsign Lyova, his unit has experienced direct hits from Russian drones on four occasions. These drones, including models like the Privet 82 and various versions of the Lancet, are armed with high-explosive warheads, posing a formidable threat to Ukrainian forces.

The situation is further exacerbated by Russia's deployment of electronic warfare equipment, which hampers Ukrainian efforts to conduct aerial reconnaissance over enemy territory. Senior Battery Officer Andriy Stavnichy highlighted the challenges posed by Russian kamikaze drones, which restrict the mobility and operational capacity of Ukrainian artillery units. The inability to effectively counter these drones significantly impacts the units' effectiveness on the field.

Additionally, the 43rd Artillery Brigade and similar units are confronting a critical shortage of artillery shells, limiting their firepower. The delayed arrival of a $61 billion US military aid package has heightened anxieties among Ukrainian troops. The complexities of battlefield repairs, particularly concerning the scarcity of spare parts and frequent navigation system malfunctions, further hinder the operational capabilities of these units.

Stavnichy emphasized the urgent need for enhanced electronic warfare systems to counteract the Russian drone threat more effectively. The simultaneous resolution of logistical challenges, such as the provision of spare parts and artillery shells, alongside advancements in electronic warfare and surveillance, is deemed crucial for improving the combat efficacy of Ukrainian artillery units.



Ukraine's artillery pinned down by Russian drones

This hulking German-supplied howitzer rumbles out of its forest hideout. It only has a few minutes to fire before slipping back under cover to evade Russian surveillance in the skies above. Ukrainian artillery units are playing a cat-and-mouse game to avoid Russian drones hunting high-value weapons like this self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000. Crews including the 43rd Artillery Brigade Reuters recently visited say they face increasing harassment from enemy drones, now a staple of Russia's arsenal. This battery commander, who goes by the callsign Lyova, says his unit had been directly hit four times by Russian high-tech attack drones. They use a lot more strike drones, like Privet 82. They have different variations of Lancet drones, which were upgraded. They have cumulative high-explosive warheads. There were attacks before, but not the same amount. Now it's really scary. Western-supplied artillery, like the German howitzer, is a priority target for Moscow. It has pledged to focus its strikes on these types of weapons. Senior Battery Officer Andriy Stavnichy. The situation has become more difficult because they have a lot of electronic warfare equipment. They don't allow our birds to fly over their territory, thus it's harder to detect targets and hit them. The other reason are their kamikaze strike drones. They have an abundance of Zala and Orlan drones. Sometimes it happens that there's lots of work for the day, but we can't move because something is always flying above. If these birds could be shot down or jammed, we'd be more effective and could work more. Like other Ukrainian artillery units, the 43rd Brigade faces a critical shell shortage that limits the howitzer's potential, forcing it to fire far fewer shells per day. Ukrainian troops across the sprawling front are anxiously awaiting shipments from a long-delayed $61 billion US military aid package. Repairing the vehicle is also a challenge. The availability of spare parts is limited and the navigation system frequently malfunctions and is difficult to fix on the battlefield. Stavnichy, like many others, is calling for more electronic warfare systems to jam the Russian drones. The main problem here is spare parts and shells. But even if there were parts and shells, you'd have the problem of enemy birds. So everything needs to work together in a system. Electronic warfare and surveillance, artillery, then our hit percentage would be much higher. This is what I think.

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Ukraine Invasion