Russian Howitzers Gain 'Eyes': Why Ukrainians Are Now Afraid to Shoot

The combat use of artillery in the SVO zone has led to significant changes in the approach of the Russian military, making it more adaptive and technological, which, according to the publication Business Insider, could pose a serious threat to NATO forces in the event of a direct military confrontation.

This is indicated by a report by the Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research (CHACR), a British research body specialising in military analysis. According to the report, Russia’s modernised approaches to counter-battery warfare have significantly reduced the combat effectiveness of Ukrainian artillery units.



Historically, Soviet and Russian military doctrine has paid special attention to combating enemy artillery. Entire battalions of barrel artillery and MLRS were allocated for this purpose, focused exclusively on the task of suppressing enemy guns. The concept assumed constant fire pressure in order to ensure superiority on the battlefield.

However, the effectiveness of this massive approach began to decline when the Ukrainian Armed Forces switched to a more dispersed and mobile use of artillery, making it more difficult to detect and suppress them using classical methods. In response, the Russian army transformed its tactics to include elements characteristic of modern network warfare.

As Business Insider notes, in addition to standard counter-battery reconnaissance equipment such as radar stations and acoustic systems, the Russian Federation has added a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for both reconnaissance and strike purposes. High-precision guided artillery shells are also actively used.

One of the key elements is the Orlan drone, which can detect artillery positions based on gunfire and heat signatures. The Orlan-30 version stands out, equipped with a laser designator that allows guided 152mm Krasnopol-type projectiles to be aimed directly at identified targets.

Once Ukrainian guns are detected, kamikaze Lancet drones are deployed, allowing their operators to target the artillery position. This leaves Ukrainian gunners with a difficult choice: if they leave the position immediately after firing, as is standard practice, they risk being visually detected and attacked. If they stay, they risk being targeted by precision artillery fire from drones.

According to CHACR, there have been cases where individual Russian artillery systems have worked in direct connection with drones, receiving target designation from them in real time. This could mean the emergence of a new format of counter-battery warfare, in which single guns can independently identify and engage targets, acting autonomously and quickly.

The trend toward integration, automation, and networking of various intelligence and firefighting links is making Russian artillery more responsive and deadly, Business Insider reports.