The key to Russian military operations against Ukraine has been the overwhelming use of artillery fire. While Western armies may have shifted their focus to smart bombs, Russian officers continue to see artillery as a crucial tool to devastate enemy lines and terrify defenders. This strategic use of artillery has been a hallmark of Russian military tactics throughout history, dating back to the Battle of Borodino in 1812 and continuing through conflicts like Stalingrad in 1943 and Bakhmut in 2023.
Joseph Stalin famously declared artillery as the “god of war,” emphasizing its importance in Russian warfare. In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, artillery has played a central role in Russian operations, allowing infantry and armor to advance under intense bombardments of up to 10,000 shells per day. The psychological impact of Russian artillery is a deliberate aspect of their warfighting strategy, aiming to instill fear in their enemies.
The historical significance of artillery in Russian warfare dates back centuries, with artillery becoming a prestigious branch of the military requiring educated officers. The heavy barrage tactics used by Russia in Ukraine have roots in the First World War, where innovative artillery techniques enabled successful offensives like the Brusilov Offensive in 1916.
Despite advancements in warfare technology, artillery remains a crucial component of Russian military strategy, as demonstrated by their extensive deployment of artillery pieces in Ukraine. The use of artillery serves not only as a destructive force but also as a political statement of Russia’s determination to achieve its objectives.
In conflicts like World War II, artillery played a pivotal role in the Soviet Red Army’s counter-offensives against Nazi Germany, showcasing the effectiveness of massed artillery barrages. While the value of artillery may have been overshadowed by modern weaponry in recent years, its importance remains undeniable in certain situations where drones and guided missiles may be ineffective.
Through a variety of Soviet-era and post-Soviet artillery systems deployed in Ukraine, Russia continues to rely on artillery as a key element of their military operations. The wide range of artillery systems used by Russia demonstrates their commitment to utilizing this traditional weapon in modern warfare scenarios. Mientras múltiples lanzacohetes se utilizaron para un bombardeo de saturación inexacto pero devastador en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los modernos MLRS rusos también pueden disparar proyectiles guiados.
“La artillería es vista como un arma intermedia entre las armas estratégicas (como misiles nucleares) y los armamentos puramente convencionales,” concluyó RUSI. “No hay razón para creer que en futuras guerras Rusia no usará la artillería como un medio para ejercer presión política y psicológica, y expresar determinación, tanto interna como externamente.”
Michael Peck es un escritor de defensa cuyo trabajo ha aparecido en Forbes, Defense News, la revista Foreign Policy y otras publicaciones. Tiene una maestría en ciencias políticas de la Univ. de Rutgers. Síguelo en Twitter y LinkedIn.
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