Ukrainian AS‑90 howitzer survives six Russian attacks, proves resilient

One of the Ukrainian AS-90 self-propelled howitzer crews can talk about immense luck. The Russians attacked this nearly 50,000 kg vehicle, whose features we describe, at least six times, but despite this, they failed to destroy it.

Although the conflict in Ukraine is often referred to as a drone war, experts and soldiers emphasize the significant role of artillery systems. Ukrainians pointed out the shortage of shells for these systems as one of the reasons for the loss of Avdiivka.

AS-90 is one of the weapons that Ukrainians received as part of the West's support. These are British artillery systems using a 155 mm calibre gun adapted for standard NATO shells. The designers from the VSEL corporation opted for a gun with a barrel length of 39 calibres. It provides a range of up to about 24 kilometres using standard shells and up to about 30 kilometres using rocket-assisted shells.

The AS-90 crew consists of five soldiers. The British howitzer weighs nearly 50,000 kg. It is self-propelled equipment, using tracked traction and a Cummins VTA 903T-660 engine, and it can reach speeds of nearly 60 km/h. As the latest reports from the front best prove, it is also very durable.

Forbes described an exceptionally unusual case that was caught among reports from the front. It concerns a recording showing Russian aerial reconnaissance detecting a Ukrainian AS-90 howitzer and the subsequent massive attack on it.

First, the Russians shelled the AS-90 using artillery. However, they did not hit directly, so they decided to target it with FVP drones carrying explosive charges. When these also did not destroy the AS-90, artillery shelling was carried out again, followed by a Lancet drone. After six more attacks, the Ukrainian AS-90 was seriously damaged but did not explode or burn. The crew had a chance to escape from inside and flee.

"In a short period, the Russians attacked the 50-ton vehicle at least six times—damaging but not destroying it. That the crew may have survived is partly a matter of chance. But it also underscores the importance of artillery fortifications in a war where the side with the most—and most durable—howitzers usually wins a battle," was written in Forbes.

It is estimated that the Russians have lost about one-third of their artillery systems since the beginning of the war. Ukrainian losses related to this type of weapon are estimated at half the units they possessed. It must be remembered, however, that the invaders initially had significantly larger resources.

The Ukrainians initially had to rely on post-Soviet systems but quickly began receiving Western artillery. In addition to the British AS-90, the French CAESARs, German Panzerhaubitze 2000, and Polish AHS Krab also operate on the front.