For those who don’t know, towed artillery, despite being ancient, remains crucial in modern warfare. It’s essential, especially in Ukraine, where it’s used extensively by both sides. Russia has been producing newer, more accurate, and capable pieces, such as the 2A36 and 2A65, built in the 1970s and 1980s. These are often replaced with older, less capable ones, like the 1940s-1950s built D1 and D20, which are being withdrawn or sold for spare parts.

Currently, Russia has around 6,134 pieces of towed artillery, down from the original 14,488 pieces. If we exclude mortars, the number drops to 11,876. There’s a massive disparity in the types of artillery being used, with over 50% of the remaining pieces being smaller and medium-sized, while only about 1% of the larger ones are left. These larger pieces are newer and more accurate, so their loss will significantly impact Russian artillery’s effectiveness in the battlefield.

As Russia is rapidly depleting its larger artillery, it’s likely to start relying on older, less capable pieces, resulting in a drastic decline in its artillery’s performance. This is a critical issue, as Russian military doctrine emphasizes the importance of heavy artillery in modern warfare. The Ukrainian War may not last long enough for Russia to fully adapt to this new reality, with its artillery capabilities potentially becoming less effective.

The situation is dire, with some analysts warning of a real crisis in Russian artillery stockpiles. It’s crucial to monitor the situation closely, as it may lead to some significant consequences on the battlefield.