The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the Russian 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannon

2 August, 2023 2S7 Pion ACS. The photo is illustrative The Armed Forces of Ukraine hit a Russian 2S7 Pion self-propelled 203mm cannon in the Donetsk region with high-precision weapons.

The video was published on social media. The Ukrainian air reconnaissance unit discovered the camouflaged position of the Russian 2S7 Pion cannon near occupied Makiyivka. The cannon was probably shelling Avdiyivka, which is eight kilometers away from this position.

After detection and identification of the target, the Russian self-propelled cannon was hit with high-precision weapons, which hit the self-propelled vehicle and caused the fire of the ammunition stored nearby. In addition to shrapnel damage from the close approach of the artillery ammunition on the howitzer, the fire from the detonating ammunition also spilled over.

Such damage allows categorizing this combat unit as destroyed. It was possible to geolocate the location of the artillery of invaders (here). It is a few kilometers north of occupied Makiyivka, Donetsk region.

The position of the destroyed 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannon, August 2023.

Photo credits: DeepState map

The destruction of eight Russian units of the 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannons has been documented during the entire time since the beginning of the Russian invasion, and this should be the ninth. Damage and capture of two more vehicles were also recorded.

2S7 Pion

The 2S7 Pion is a Soviet 203mm self-propelled gun, designed to destroy especially important objects and enemy fortifications. The main weapon is the 2?44 203mm gun, which has a maximum firing rate of 1.5 shots per minute.

The undercarriage of the 2S7 is made on the basis of the ?-80 MBT and consists of seven pairs of double charred support rollers and six pairs of single support rollers. It is possible that the cannon recorded on the video is a version of the Soviet-era 2S7M Malka modernized in the Russian Federation.

2S7 Malka of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The photo is illustrative

As part of the 2S7M modernization project, the mobility of the self-propelled guns was increased, and operation was simplified.

A new V-84B diesel engine with a capacity of 840 hp with the possibility of using different types of fuel is installed in the engine compartment of 2S7 Malka. The howitzer was also equipped with a more modern fire control system and other systems. Their use allowed reducing the crew of the howitzer from 7 to 6 people.

The firing rate of fire has also increased to 2.5 shots per minute.