​Several photos that appeared on social networks indicate that the Ukrainian military has started using a type of ammunition that is currently not produced anywhere in the world.

Ukrainian military personnel fire from 2S7 “Pion” self-propelled guns.Photo: Justin Yau / ddp USA / Profimedia Images

In the photos published by the soldiers of the 43rd Artillery Brigade, it can be seen that they started using 53-Г-620Ш projectiles of caliber 203 millimeters to fire at one of their 2С7 “Pion” self-propelled guns.

These high-explosive shells, capable of penetrating concrete, were developed for use with the old M1931 howitzers (designated by NATO countries “B-4”) of the Soviet Army. This type of howitzer was produced by the arms industry of the USSR from 1932 to 1945, but less than 1000 units were produced in total.

However, the Pion self-propelled gun is a more modern weapon that was produced between 1975 and 1990. Ukraine is believed to have removed about 99 units from long-term storage since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.

Introduced in 1975, only 8 countries in the world still have such 203 mm heavy artillery guns: Angola, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, North Korea, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Videos that appeared on social media last summer showed that Russia also removed Pion guns from military warehouses.

Ammunition problems for the Ukrainian army?

The administrators of the Ukraine Weapons Tracker page note that the use of ammunition made for the M1931 howitzer may indicate that the Ukrainians have a problem with large-caliber ammunition, since no country in the world produces 53-Г-620Ш rounds.

“2S7 Pion guns were widely used in this war. Ammunition stocks are not unlimited for both sides. Replenishment capacity is limited, as very few countries are already using it. Therefore, such solutions can be used to extend the service life of these systems,” Ukraine Weapons Tracker notes.

One possibility is that the 53-Г-620Ш shells were used by Ukrainian gunners to try to destroy the fortified “dragon’s teeth” positions they had built in many areas of the front, as well as far behind the contact lines of the two armies. .

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