Ukraine's Battle Against Russian Artillery: Historical Echoes and Modern Battles

The intersection of modern and historical battle tactics has never been more evident than in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. From the experience of World War II to the current day, the inefficacy and strategic flaws of Russian artillery reveal a pattern of lack of coordination, poor communication, and a failure to capitalize on artillery. This article explores these issues, drawing from historical records to understand the current challenges faced by Ukrainian forces.

Historical Lessons from World War II

Colonel Illarion Avksentevich Tolkonyuk, in his report to Marshal of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin, highlighted the fundamental weaknesses in Russian artillery tactics. Tolkonyuk stated that artillery units were often deployed based on the number of guns per kilometer of the front, rather than the actual ammunition needed. This oversight resulted in ineffective use of artillery and left the advancing infantry vulnerable to enemy fire.

Another critical error was the lack of proper reconnaissance and planning. The narrow front of the breakthrough and the dense artillery fire by the defending forces led to heavy losses for advancing units. Additionally, the wasteful expenditure of resources on minor objectives instead of a decisive blow hampered overall effectiveness.

Modern Applications: Futility of Russian Artillery

In Ukraine, the same historical echoes can be heard. Lack of coordination among units, failure to effectively utilize artillery, and coordination challenges between infantry and artillery have become evident. This is perhaps most starkly demonstrated by the areas where Russian artillery has the upper hand, with the infantry often being slaughtered by enemy fire.

The Russian artillery, despite its reputation for being powerful, has not proven to be a decisive factor. Russian 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, while formidable, face similar issues of coordination and effective deployment. General Oleg Syromyatnikov, deputy head of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, has struggled to coordinate these units effectively, leading to their inefficacy.

Strategic Solutions

For Ukrainian forces, a strategic shift is needed. The lessons learned from historical battles suggest that effective artillery tactics involve:

Improve Coordination: Better communication and coordination between infantry and artillery can significantly enhance overall battlefield efficiency. Proper Reconnaissance: Thorough pre-battle reconnaissance and detailed planning can minimize losses and improve the effectiveness of artillery support. Effective Use of Resources: Prioritizing significant objectives and utilizing resources more effectively can yield better results than minor actions that provide little strategic advantage.

Ukrainian forces must also adapt to the modern battlefield, leveraging advanced technology and improved training to overcome these historical challenges. This includes:

Enhanced Communication Systems: Deploying advanced communication systems to ensure real-time coordination between units and artillery. Targeting Accuracy: Utilizing sophisticated targeting systems to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of artillery fire. Advancing Armament: Incorporating more advanced artillery systems and mortars to enhance the firepower and range of Ukrainian forces.

Conclusion

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is not just a battle of modern armaments but a testament to the enduring importance of historically proven tactics. By studying past failures and adapting to the modern battlefield, Ukrainian forces can find effective ways to mitigate the impact of Russian artillery. As Colonel Tolkonyuk highlighted decades ago, lessons from the past are crucial in shaping the future of any military strategy.

This analysis provides a comprehensive look at the strategic and tactical challenges faced by Ukrainian forces in the current conflict, emphasizing the importance of historical lessons and advancing modern techniques to counter Russian artillery superiority.