According to several media reports, a picture appeared online showing russian troops now using 2S4 tulip 240mm self-propelled mortars to attack the Azov steel plant.
Screenshot of related reports
It is the largest of this kind of universal mortar in service anywhere in the world, and it is a laser-guided artillery shell.
2S4 Tyulpan 240 mm mortar
This self-propelled 2S4 mortar, using an improved track chassis based on the Krug (SA-4 Ganef) surface-to-air missile system, was first deployed in the Soviet Army in 1975.
It usually takes 9 people to complete the firing of a shell. Four of them were fitted with self-propelled mortars themselves, while the other five followed behind support vehicles.
Tyulpans is russian for "tulip". Its range is relatively limited, the rate of fire is low, and it can only fire about one round per minute.
Historically, the 2S4 has typically been used to fire unguided 132 kg or 227 kg high-explosive bombs with extended-range rocket boosters. It can use standard ammunition to engage targets up to 9.7 km away, while rocket-assisted versions can engage targets up to 17.8 km away.
In the 1980s, the Soviet Union developed a laser-guided missile called Smel'chak for the 2S4 with a maximum range of 9.2 kilometers.
Laser-guided missile launch scene (file photo)
An automatic loading system feeds shells into the mortar from two drum magazines that can hold a total of 40 standard high-explosive or 20 long-range rocket assisted bombs at a time.
It is unclear how many laser-guided artillery shells can be loaded into the system at one time. The 2S4 has a small car-mounted crane that can feed shells into the magazine.
When fired, the barrel emits an ominous bell-shaped ring.
The shell in the picture below was reportedly fired at the Azov Stahl Steel Works, apparently a laser-guided Smel'chak, which has a completely different shape than the 2S4's unguided shells.
Related images
Smel'chak was originally designed for use with forward artillery observers, who would "draw" targets using portable laser pointers. As you can imagine, other platforms equipped with laser pointers, such as drones, can also perform this function.
It is not entirely clear why the Russians used Smel'chaks when launching assaults on steel mills.
Screenshot of another report
Now, Russian ground forces are basically bombarding the front door of the steel plant and are using uncontrolled munitions almost non-stop.
Laser-guided munitions may have some value in targeting specific weaknesses, or even attempting to close tunnel entrances and exits, and may explain the tactical motivation for the recent use of these munitions.
Now, the following photo is a schematic diagram of the parameters and use of the 2S4 Tulip 240 mm self-propelled mortar.
Schematic diagram of 2S4 Tulip 240mm self-propelled mortar
This is also interesting, according to the report. Because it is said that Russia's stockpile of any type of precision ammunition is constantly decreasing. In addition, multiple sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies have stifled Russia's ability to replenish various types of weapons, especially advanced systems that require specialized electronic components. With that in mind, it's no surprise that the Russian military attacked the steel plant mainly with unguided munitions at the end of April.
Although most of the Russian ground forces had been transferred to the northern theater, the relentless Russian attacks on the steel mills continued, and a small number of battalion clusters still insisted on taking the steel plants.
As the Ukrainian military claims that they will seize any possible opportunity to kill a bloody path from the steel mills, perhaps the Russians are using the precision ammunition they left behind to try to prevent this from happening.
Latest photos of the steel mill
epilogue
It seems that the Russian army, which has been unable to attack for a long time, is really in a bit of a hurry! (End)