This footage, provided by the 36th Marine Brigade, shows a Ukrainian crew using a 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled howitzer to fire on Russian troops in the Kharkiv region in June, 2024. The 2S1 is a ubiquitous Soviet design in used by both sides of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.

Ukraine has a roughly estimated 125 2S1 systems, versus the Russians who have literal thousands of them stockpiled. This means we more frequently see them as drone and counter-battery targets from the Ukrainian perspective, but the Gvozdika (translation: carnation) featuring more as a target than an attacker should not imply that it can’t put in the work. Essentially a marriage of the vaunted D30 howitzer to a tank chassis, these things are built on a timeless recipe for taking a beating and distributing hate.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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