Russian operations against Ukraine have relied heavily on overwhelming artillery fire, a key element in their strategy.
While Western armies may have shifted focus to smart bombs, Russian officers still view artillery as a powerful tool to devastate enemy lines and instill fear in their adversaries.
The historical significance of artillery in Russian warfare is evident, with artillery seen as a symbol of Russia’s determination to achieve its objectives, regardless of the destruction it may cause.
Artillery has played a crucial role in Russian military tactics throughout history, with its roots dating back to the 16th Century and its innovative use in the First World War setting the stage for modern artillery warfare.
During World War II, Russia’s artillery reached its peak, with massed barrages of howitzers, mortars, and rocket launchers being a key element in the Soviet Red Army’s successes against Nazi Germany.
While the role of artillery may have diminished in some modern warfare scenarios, such as counterinsurgency operations, its effectiveness is still evident in conflicts like the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Russia’s arsenal of artillery in Ukraine includes a variety of Soviet-era and post-Soviet weapons, showcasing the continued importance of this traditional military asset in contemporary warfare.
Sementara peluncur roket multipel digunakan untuk pemboman jenuh yang tidak akurat namun menghancurkan dalam Perang Dunia II, MLRS Rusia modern juga dapat menembakkan proyektil yang dipandu.
“Artileri dilihat sebagai senjata perantara antara senjata strategis (seperti misil nuklir) dan persenjataan konvensional murni,” RUSI menyimpulkan. “Tidak ada alasan untuk percaya bahwa dalam perang di masa depan Rusia tidak akan menggunakan artileri sebagai sarana untuk mengekang tekanan politik dan psikologis, dan mengekspresikan ketegasan, baik secara internal maupun eksternal.”
Michael Peck adalah seorang penulis pertahanan yang karyanya telah muncul di Forbes, Defense News, majalah Foreign Policy, dan publikasi lainnya. Dia memegang gelar MA dalam ilmu politik dari Rutgers Univ. Ikuti dia di Twitter dan LinkedIn.
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