Ukrainian border guards received new ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns

2 January, 2024 ZU-23-2 (ZU-23-2CP) anti-aircraft gun of Ukrainian border guards. January 2024, Ukraine. Frame from the SBGS video

The units of the State Border Service of Ukraine were reinforced with new ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. The SBGS reported that anti-aircraft guns are used to counteract Russian loitering munitions and other air targets. "Anti-aircraft guns will also be used to target Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups and destroy enemy personnel and equipment, including armored ones," the SBGS noted.

Anti-aircraft gunners of the State Border Service of Ukraine emphasized that ZU-23-2 can fire up to 2 thousand rounds per minute with armor-piercing incendiary tracers or high-explosive fragmentation rounds. Border guards also added that the anti-aircraft gun is also effective against aerial targets at an altitude of up to 2 kilometers and at a distance of up to 2.5 kilometers.

"It is currently used mainly to strike air targets: Shaheds, reconnaissance drones, and other air targets," border guards noted. The new ZU-23-2 will be used separately in stationary positions, and on trucks or other mobile platforms in combination with various means of target detection and guidance. The new anti-aircraft installations teams have already undergone the necessary training and are on combat duty.

The State Border Service did not specify which company developed the new ZU-23-2. Ukrainian border guards were presumably supplied with Polish-made ZU-23-2CP.

Polish ZU-23-2CP anti-aircraft gun.

Photo credits: janusz0407

ZU-23-2CP is a version of the ZU-23 twin anti-aircraft gun developed in the USSR. These guns are manufactured by the Polish company Zaklady Mechaniczne Tarnow, part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa.

ZU-23-2 (ZU-23-2CP) anti-aircraft gun of Ukrainian border guards. January 2024, Ukraine.

Frame from the SBGS video

The ZU-23-2CP provides target destruction with 23-mm armor-piercing incendiary tracer (HEI-T) and armor-piercing discarding sabot tracer (APDS-T and FAPDS-T) ammunition.