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Heavy Artillery: Russia’s Key Weapon in Ukraine and Historical Military Doctrine
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, heavy artillery has emerged as the linchpin of Russian military operations. This reliance on overwhelming firepower highlights a divergence from Western military doctrines, which, for a period, appeared to prioritize precision-guided munitions over traditional artillery barrages.
- Western armies seemingly decreased emphasis on artillery, focusing on precision weaponry.
- Russian military thinkers consider artillery essential for decimating enemy positions and demoralizing defenders.
A survivor’s account from the Battle of Borodino in 1812 vividly illustrates the destructive power of cannon fire: “All this time the formidable artillery of the redoubts in the center of the enemy’s line was working such fearful havoc in our ranks.” This description, penned by Baron Louis-François Lejeune, a Napoleonic staff officer, resonates across centuries. It could equally describe the experiences of soldiers at Stalingrad in 1943 or Bakhmut in 2023, underscoring the enduring role of artillery in warfare.
Artillery as the “God of War” in Russian Military Thought
Joseph Stalin’s famous dictum, “Artillery is the god of war,” encapsulates the Russian military’s long-standing reverence for cannon. This doctrine, deeply rooted in Russian military history, remains pertinent today. In the Ukraine war, artillery, more than specialized forces or advanced aircraft, has been instrumental in Russian advances. It enables tactically less sophisticated infantry and armored units to progress under intense bombardments, sometimes reaching rates of 10,000 shells daily. Estimates suggest Russia deployed approximately 5,000 artillery pieces in Ukraine by February 2024.
Political Significance of Artillery Deployment
The deployment of artillery in Russian warfare transcends mere battlefield effectiveness. As noted by Giangiuseppe Pili, Brett Evans, and Ryder Finn in a Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) essay, “Through history and to the present moment, its deployment has carried direct political meaning, serving as a visible demonstration of Russia’s determination to achieve its objectives, regardless of the level of destruction or civilian casualties involved.” This underscores the strategic signaling inherent in Russia’s use of heavy artillery.
Psychological Impact as a Deliberate Strategy
Russia perceives artillery not only as a tool for destruction but also as a weapon of terror. The RUSI authors contend, “The psychological impact of Russian artillery is not an unintended consequence but a deliberate feature of its warfighting strategy.” This calculated use of overwhelming firepower aims to break enemy morale and resistance.
Historical Roots of Russian Artillery Doctrine
Russia’s affinity for artillery dates back to the 16th century, coinciding with the widespread adoption of cannon on European battlefields. Mirroring trends in other European armies during the 18th and 19th centuries, artillery gained prestige in Russia, surpassing infantry and cavalry in importance. This elevated status stemmed from the need for educated officers with mathematical expertise to operate and direct artillery effectively. Notably, Napoleon Bonaparte himself began his military career as an artillery officer.
World War I and the Evolution of Barrage Tactics
The devastating barrage tactics employed against Ukrainian forces today are rooted in the experiences of World War I. Despite the generally poor performance of Tsarist armies on the Eastern Front, the innovative and massed use of artillery underpinned the Brusilov Offensive of 1916, a rare Russian success in that conflict. This offensive incorporated new techniques, including aerial reconnaissance for fire direction and short, intense barrages to maximize surprise. The sheer volume of shells overwhelmed Austro-Hungarian defenders, breaching defenses and enabling the capture of 26,000 enemy troops in a single day.
Legacy of World War I Artillery Tactics
RUSI highlights the enduring legacy of World War I artillery practices on modern Russian doctrine:
Key Elements of Russian Artillery Warfare
- Reliance on aerial reconnaissance for precise indirect artillery fire.
- Effective use of artillery in psychological operations to demoralize the enemy.
- Utilization of artillery as an obstacle-clearing tool for rapid offensive maneuvers.
World War II: The Pinnacle of Russian Artillery Power
The zenith of Russian artillery prowess was arguably World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. This conflict is heavily memorialized in Russian culture, often depicted with images of Katyusha rocket barrages. During the final Soviet offensive on Berlin in April 1945, the Red Army amassed nearly 10,000 artillery pieces, potentially firing over a million shells on the first day alone.
Firepower Density and Industrial Might
Prior to World War II, Russian military experts advocated for a concentration of 75 to 100 guns per kilometer to breach enemy lines. By the war’s later stages, Soviet firepower density on key fronts reached 150 to 200 guns per kilometer, approximately 320 guns per mile, according to RUSI. This significant increase underscores the Red Army’s reliance on its vast industrial capacity to overwhelm adversaries with destructive artillery barrages.
Artillery in Modern Warfare: Adaptability and Limitations
During the Cold War, Russian strategists envisioned artillery as the primary fire support for a potential advance into Western Europe. However, cannon proved less effective in counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan and Chechnya. Similar to Western militaries in the 21st century, the perceived importance of artillery seemed to diminish with the rise of precision-guided munitions. As RUSI analysts observed, the high regard for artillery prevalent in earlier eras was largely overlooked by the time of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Artillery’s Resurgence in Modern Conflict
While drones and air-launched glide bombs have become essential for contemporary Russian assault tactics, artillery retains critical importance, particularly in adverse weather conditions that limit air operations or when electronic jamming hinders drone functionality. In these situations, artillery becomes paramount.
Russian Artillery Arsenal in Ukraine
Russia has deployed a diverse range of artillery systems in Ukraine, encompassing both Soviet-era and more modern designs. This includes:
Howitzers:
- 2S19 Msta-SM2: A modern self-propelled 152-mm howitzer with a range up to 25 miles.
- M-30 122-mm: Older, towed howitzers dating back to World War II, with a range of approximately 7 miles.
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS):
- Tornado-S: A new truck-mounted MLRS with twelve 300-mm rockets and a range up to 75 miles.
- BM-27 Uragan: A 220-mm rocket system with a range up to 45 miles.
While older MLRS were primarily used for area saturation, modern Russian systems like the Tornado-S can also employ precision-guided munitions.
Artillery’s Enduring Role in Russian Strategy
RUSI concludes, “Artillery is seen as an intermediate weapon between the strategic weapons (such as nuclear missiles) and purely conventional armaments.” This perspective suggests that artillery remains a crucial tool in Russia’s military and political arsenal. “There is no reason to believe that in future wars Russia will not use artillery as a means to exert political and psychological pressure, and express determination, both internally and externally.” The continued emphasis on heavy artillery underscores its enduring significance in Russian military doctrine and its role as a key instrument of power projection.
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