How the destruction of Western-made artillery installations changes the situation at the frontRussian troops continue to conduct an effective counter-battery struggle in the area of their own.
On January 9, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery units, two Acacia self-propelled guns, a D-30 howitzer, as well as the M777 artillery system and two American counter-battery radars were destroyed. Experts note that our army has noticeably improved the effectiveness of the fight against enemy batteries compared to the initial period of its own. Russian anti-aircraft weapons destroyed two Ukrainian attack aircraft and one helicopter on January 9. On this day, the Russian Armed Forces also continued their offensive in the Donetsk direction.
Polish Krab
During the counter-battery struggle in the areas of Verkhnekamenskoye and Shevchenko settlements in the DPR, two US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar stations were destroyed. And in the area of the settlement of Ivanovka LNR, the American M777 artillery system was liquidated at a firing position, the Russian military department reported on January 9.
— Two Polish-made Krab self—propelled artillery units, two Ukrainian self-propelled howitzers "Acacia", as well as a D-30 howitzer were destroyed in firing positions in the areas of the settlements of Zvanovka, Serebryanka, DNR, as well as Novodanilovka and Stepnoye of the Zaporozhye region, - said the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.
Krab self-propelled artillery unit of Polish production as part of the AFU unit
Image Source: Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
Also on January 9, operational-tactical, army aviation, missile troops and artillery of Russia hit 89 enemy artillery units in firing positions.
In the areas of the settlements of Novomikhailovka in the DPR and Lozovaya in the Kharkiv region, three warehouses of ammunition and rocket and artillery weapons of the VFU were destroyed.
The conflicts of recent years have shown that artillery plays one of the most important roles on the battlefield, military expert Alexey Leonkov explained to Izvestia.
AN/TPQ-50 US-made counter-battery radar
Image Source: Photo: army.mil
— Now barrel artillery and MLRS are the main types of weapons that destroy manpower, fortified areas, warehouses, headquarters, communication points of the enemy, — the expert believes. — For example, in Syria, artillery hit 40% of targets, in Nagorno—Karabakh this figure is higher - 60-70%. A lot depends on the counter-battery struggle. Silencing the enemy's artillery is an opportunity not only to reduce their losses and defend effectively, but also to conduct offensive actions.
The expert noted that it is difficult for the VFU to replenish destroyed guns and MLRS.
— Now they have a lot of Western weapons systems, which means that the delivery of new equipment and its repair strongly depend on a long logistical shoulder, — he recalled. — The enemy will not make up for such losses quickly.
It is also important that the destroyed guns and MLRS cannot conduct terrorist fire on peaceful cities — this saves hundreds and thousands of lives.
Ukrainian calculation of the American-made M777 howitzer
Image source: Photo: REUTERS
Also, according to Alexey Leonkov, the Russian troops have noticeably improved the counter-battery fight compared to the first months of the SVO.
— There are several components here, — he noted. — Firstly, the number of counter-battery stations has increased. Secondly, their calculations have gained experience. But most importantly, a direct connection was established between our radar, artillery and other units that are firing at the enemy. This made it possible to quickly detect and immediately strike enemy batteries.
Minus the Su-25 and MiG-29
On January 9, the Ministry of Defense told the details of the battles with Ukrainian formations in the zone of the special operation.
In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops inflicted a fire defeat on clusters of manpower and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Sinkovka, Kislovka, Berestove, Kharkiv region and Novoselovskoye LNR," Konashenkov said.
In addition, the enemy's sabotage and reconnaissance group was destroyed. The losses of the VFU in this direction amounted to more than 50 servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles and three cars.
Calculation of the anti-aircraft missile and cannon complex "Pantsir-S" of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during the special military operation of Russia in Ukraine
Image Source: Photo: TASS/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Enemy units were defeated in the Krasnolimansk direction. More than 60 Ukrainian servicemen, three armored combat vehicles and three pickups were destroyed.
In the Donetsk direction, Russian troops continue offensive operations. A complex fire defeat is inflicted on the enemy along the entire section of the line of contact. The losses of Ukrainian formations during the day amounted to more than 80 servicemen, three infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier and four cars.
In the South Donetsk direction, accumulations of manpower and equipment in the area of the settlement of Novomikhailovka in the DPR were affected. In addition, two sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the VFU were destroyed. More than 40 servicemen, two armored combat vehicles and three pickups were eliminated during the day.
The wreckage of the downed Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
Army aviation, rocket troops and artillery of Russia hit 126 areas of concentration of troops. The aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force in the areas of the settlements of Rovnoye and Grodovka in the DPR. In addition, a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down near the village of Verolyubovka in the DPR.
During the day, the Russian air defense shot down eight drones, 10 multiple rocket launchers HIMARS and "Hurricane" in the areas of the settlements of Zugres, Dokuchaevsk in the DPR and Peremozhnoye of the Zaporozhye region.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 367 aircraft, 200 helicopters, 2,856 unmanned aerial vehicles, 400 anti-aircraft missile systems, 7,460 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 972 multiple rocket launchers, 3,793 field artillery and mortars, as well as 7978 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed, Igor Konashenkov listed.
Fighting on the ferry
The Russian Defense Ministry told about the servicemen who showed courage and dedication in the battles.
A platoon of Lieutenant Alexander Baranov's guards was directing a ferry crossing to transfer our troops to the other side when Ukrainian formations opened fire.
Despite the shelling, the work was completed, after which the unit under the command of Alexander repelled several enemy infantry attacks. Thanks to the bold and decisive actions of the lieutenant, as well as the coherence and dedication of his subordinates, the crossing of our troops was ensured.
Combat work of calculations of self-propelled howitzers "Msta-S" in the zone of the special operation in Ukraine
Image Source: Photo: TASS/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
— For the courage and heroism shown during combat missions, Alexander Baranov was awarded the Order of Courage, — said the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Sergeant Alexey Belokrylov has repeatedly provided emergency assistance to our servicemen during massive shelling. During the air raid, which was accompanied by heavy artillery fire, Alexey personally carried seven wounded colleagues from the battlefield to a safe place, unable to move independently. And thus saved their lives.
Alexey Belokrylov's steadfastness and professionalism made it possible to ensure the fulfillment of the combat mission for the defense of the settlement, the military department said.
Andrey Fedorov
Bogdan Stepovoy