Ukraine's Native-Made 'Bohdana' Howitzer In Battle
RFE/RL was granted access to a self-propelled howitzer designed in Ukraine as it fired toward Russian forces.
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A 2s22 Bohdana firing a shell toward Russian positions on September 13.
This self-propelled howitzer was developed in Ukraine and has only rarely been photographed in action.
This self-propelled howitzer was developed in Ukraine and has only rarely been photographed in action.
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A 2018 file photo of a prototype of the Bohdana
The Ukrainian weapon has been in development since 2016. When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a prototype of the Bohdana was reportedly ordered to be destroyed to stop it falling into Russian hands, but the weapon was successfully evacuated.
The Ukrainian weapon has been in development since 2016. When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a prototype of the Bohdana was reportedly ordered to be destroyed to stop it falling into Russian hands, but the weapon was successfully evacuated.
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An early version of the Bohdana fires at Russian-occupied Snake Island from the Ukrainian mainland in June 2022
In the spring of 2022, the gun's first combat mission was to strike at Russian positions on Snake Island, a target nearly at the limit of the weapon’s 40-kilometer range with standard ammunition. Rocket-assisted shells can be fired some 50 kilometers by the Bohdana.
In the spring of 2022, the gun's first combat mission was to strike at Russian positions on Snake Island, a target nearly at the limit of the weapon’s 40-kilometer range with standard ammunition. Rocket-assisted shells can be fired some 50 kilometers by the Bohdana.
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The Bohdana crew waits for commands in a forest at an unidentified location in eastern Ukraine on September 13.
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The Bohdana moves toward a firing position.
At least two variants of the weapon are made by Ukraine. One, pictured here, is based on the Belarusian MAZ truck chassis, while a second is built atop a Czech-made Tatra truck.
At least two variants of the weapon are made by Ukraine. One, pictured here, is based on the Belarusian MAZ truck chassis, while a second is built atop a Czech-made Tatra truck.
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The gun’s crew loads the weapon.
A key specification of the Bohdana is its use of 155 mm shells. The NATO-standard caliber is relatively easily available for Ukraine from Western allies, unlike 152 mm munitions used in Soviet-designed weapons.
A key specification of the Bohdana is its use of 155 mm shells. The NATO-standard caliber is relatively easily available for Ukraine from Western allies, unlike 152 mm munitions used in Soviet-designed weapons.
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The Bohdana crew at work
Ukraine's stocks of 152-mm shells have been severely depleted, including by Russian attacks on munitions stores.
Ukraine's stocks of 152-mm shells have been severely depleted, including by Russian attacks on munitions stores.
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The Bohdana is fired on September 13.
Kyiv is now producing its own Soviet-standard 152-mm rounds but thousands of such shells are being fired each day at Russian positions, making it unlikely Ukraine’s domestic munitions supply will meet demand anytime soon.
Kyiv is now producing its own Soviet-standard 152-mm rounds but thousands of such shells are being fired each day at Russian positions, making it unlikely Ukraine’s domestic munitions supply will meet demand anytime soon.
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The crew works to reload the Bohdana.
Each 155-mm NATO-standard shell used by the howitzer weighs around 40 kilograms -- generally seen as the upper limit for rounds that can be managed by human hands.
Each 155-mm NATO-standard shell used by the howitzer weighs around 40 kilograms -- generally seen as the upper limit for rounds that can be managed by human hands.
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The Bohdana’s crew packs up and gets ready to leave.
The truck-mounted weapon is capable of firing around five rounds per minute.
The truck-mounted weapon is capable of firing around five rounds per minute.
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The Bohdana leaves its firing position to return to cover.
The ability to rapidly "shoot and scoot" is seen as increasingly important for modern weapons systems due to radar systems that are able to spot incoming projectiles and determine where they were fired from.
The ability to rapidly "shoot and scoot" is seen as increasingly important for modern weapons systems due to radar systems that are able to spot incoming projectiles and determine where they were fired from.
