Russia resorts to "Frankenstein" artillery amid shortages
The Russians involved in the fighting in Ukraine are facing increasing shortages of artillery equipment. This is especially obvious with towed guns and certain self-propelled models, whose diminishing inventories are compelling the invaders to resort to unconventional designs.
Experts and observers of the war in Ukraine frequently highlight that artillery has been the primary driving force of the Russian offensive since the conflict began. In recent months, Putin's army has encountered issues with ammunition (due in part to Ukrainian strikes on large depots situated within Russian territory) and shortages of certain self-propelled artillery systems.
Russians are feeling shortages of towed artillery
The Defence Express portal, which specializes in military affairs, notes a similar situation with some towed artillery.
Data from the report The Military Balance 2024 indicates that at the beginning of last year, the Russian army had 550 Hyacinth-B towed howitzers and 250 Msta-B towed howitzers. This is a significant decrease from 2022, when the army had 1,100 Hyacinth-B units and 750 Msta-B units.
Hyacinth-B and Msta-B are artillery pieces that use 152 mm calibre shells, standard for post-Soviet artillery. They were developed in the early 1970s and 1990s, respectively. They can strike targets approximately 25 kilometres away with basic shells, but with rocket-assisted shells, the range extends to about 35 kilometres.
Shortages are forcing Russians to improvise
The continuing challenges for the Russians are leading them to adopt unconventional solutions that likely would not have been pursued if not for the ongoing conflict and the losses sustained. These involve "Frankenstein" constructions.
Defence Express notes that in December 2024, images surfaced online showing a Hyacinth-B gun mounted on a chassis used in the self-propelled Malva artillery, originally intended for Msta-S or possibly Msta-B guns. It is unclear whether the Russians plan to produce only a few of these units or if it will become a broader initiative.
