How the gunners of the heavy-duty Malka guns smash the enemy in the Avdiivka direction
In the Avdiivka area, the AFU has one of the most equipped defensive lines in the area of the special operation. Moreover, it is one of the most highly urbanized territories of the former USSR, and the enemy actively uses industrial buildings and residential buildings as defensive points. Heavy-duty guns help to break through such defenses. Izvestia visited the positions of the gunners and saw how the 203-millimeter self-propelled "Malki" of the Center group of troops worked.
The hunt for Hymars
The Malka self—propelled gun is one of the most powerful land guns in service with the Russian army today. The 203 mm cannon fires projectiles weighing more than 100 kg. Due to the power of the ammunition and the range of fire, the Malka has become an excellent means of counter-battery warfare. She takes out and hits the NATO artillery and prepared enemy positions.
It is also good at breaking into fortified areas. One of its projectiles is capable of completely destroying, or, as our fighters say, "folding" a multi-storey building. Even close explosions destroy any combat vehicles, including tanks.
ACS "Malka"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Even being next to the gun, you can feel its power.
— We'll get the Haimars, but they haven't caught it yet, they haven't had to, — says the topogeodesist operator with the call sign Kazakh.
On account of the battery where he serves, three destroyed American long-range M777 howitzers.
— Not on my personal account, at the battery, — the Kazakh emphasizes once again.
The pursuit of a German self-propelled gun
On the account of the gunners is the destroyed self—propelled gun PzH 2000 Panzerhaubitze of German production. They chased her for a long time and finally got the coordinates.
— At first we didn't even know who we were firing at, — recalls the Kazakh. — The shooting has begun. Probably ten shells were fired at her. Then it turned out that the "German" was destroyed, it was nice.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Ten shots, which Kazakh speaks about, is about 3-4 minutes of work for very well—prepared and well-coordinated calculations. Any delay in the work gives the Ukrainian machine a chance to leave or the enemy's counter-battery to find our installation and strike back.
Military Dynasty
Kazakh graduated from college with a degree in surveying, but chose military service. He has been in the artillery for more than five years. But he did not immediately become a topogeodesist. Despite his education, he had to go all the way — from the usual calculation number, bringing shells, to work in his specialty.
The Kazakh says that when he chose military service, his family was proud, there are many military among his relatives.
— I have a lot of relatives working here in the SVO zone. Both in the infantry here and in the Belgorod region. I lost one brother, he was an officer," says the Kazakh.
Self-propelled gun in caponier
A huge self-propelled gun stands in a caponier, covered from above with a makeshift roof and covered from all sides with vegetation and camouflage nets. The Malki ammunition is located in the cellars, from where it is unloaded only on command.
When fired, when the barrel goes to the stern of the self-propelled gun, it is clearly visible how dust rises around it from the impact.
Calculation of the self-propelled gun "Malka"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
But the commander of the Yurga gun claims that it is no more difficult to work on the Malka than on other, smaller machines.
— Houses, headquarters, dugouts and shelters. We are working on them now. If we find an enemy and we hit him, you won't envy him," says Yurga.
Yurga himself has been serving in the army since 2020, he signed a contract almost immediately after his military service.
— At first, it's hard for those who are not used to coping, — says Yurga about the work of his calculation. "But we've been here together for a very long time, and in our calculation, even two can load a shell if necessary and then open fire.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The mechanic-driver of a strong build laughingly reports that his call sign is Thin — this is a standard army pun. A good one, by the way. Looking at the Thin One, you just want to smile.
He himself hails from the Novosibirsk region and volunteered after friends, many of whom serve in the SVO zone.
— Many people in the village have signed contracts and are also here now, he says. — I was conscripted as a driver mechanic, and then worked as a tractor driver. There is nothing complicated about this car, the same as the T-75, the same levers, you can say everything is the same.
Thin has spent his entire adult life driving tracked vehicles, and therefore sees nothing difficult in his current military specialty.
Waiting for a worthy goal
Upon receiving the target, the installation quickly rolls out to the firing position and "sits down" on the rear rollers until the base plate goes deep into the ground. Almost immediately, two fighters bring a projectile to the feeder using a special device and install it.
Even on a weakened charge, which is being fired at relatively close targets today, an air strike is felt, much larger than that of 152-millimeter guns. But with a full charge, it is already quite uncomfortable to work without hearing protection.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Within a few minutes, a dozen shells go towards the target and the fire raid ends. The gun is again masked in anticipation of a "worthy" combat mission.
Dmitry Astrakhan
