Hart Brigade armed with 105mm M101 howitzers

12 December, 2024 M101 howitzer in service with the Hart Brigade of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. December 2024. Frame from a video of the Hart Brigade

The Hart Brigade of the State Border Guard Service has been armed with 105-mm M101 howitzers, which were received as part of international military assistance. A video of the military servicing the brigade's press service released this artillery system after its active use on the front line. The border guards said they were actively using artillery near Vovchansk to defeat the Russian invaders.

The border guards have organized a repair center to maintain and repair their weapons, including M101 howitzers. Border guard Borys shared that he worked as a chief engineer at a large enterprise before the full-scale invasion.

Currently, he uses his skills and experience to repair artillery weapons of the Hart Brigade. "Whenever possible, he repairs guns and their components in the workshop. And if necessary, he travels to the position with his partner," the brigade representatives explained.

They have the necessary equipment to carry out various types of repairs. The specific tools that were missing were manufactured on their own, according to Borys' drawings. The Hart combat brigade was created as part of the State Border Guard Service this spring as part of the Offensive Guard.

Recently, it has received the right to directly, without the need for a TCC and JV, recruit for service under contract and mobilize those willing to defend Ukraine from the Russian invasion. Those wishing to join the brigade can call +380 67 192 9839, +380 67 301 0890, +380 66 983 6864.

M101 in Ukraine

M101 howitzer for Ukraine from Lithuania, September 2022. Photo credits: Arvydas Anusauskas

In September 2022, Lithuania announced the transfer of 105-mm M101 trailer howitzers, which had been stored in the country's arsenals, to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. In November of the same year, a video of the Ukrainian military using these weapons on the front line was posted online.

At the time, which units received these 105-mm howitzers was not disclosed. It is also unknown whether Lithuania was the only country to supply these weapons to Ukraine.

Ukrainian artillerymen fire an M101A1 howitzer

The M101 towed howitzer is a short-barreled artillery weapon that fires semi-fixed ammunition.

It can be fired with high-explosive, armor-piercing, targeting, cluster fragmentation, and smoke shells.

The maximum firing range is 11 kilometers.

It is towed by a truck or an artillery hauler.