A Russian 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer equipped with solid anti-drone protective structures has been spotted operating in the special military operation zone.
A photograph displaying the modified armored vehicle was published by the Telegram channel Ugolok Sith, revealing extensive slatted screens installed across the main body of the artillery piece.
The published photograph depicts the Akatsiya fitted with slatted screens, which are commonly referred to as mangals in military parlance. These additional mounted elements shield the majority of the vehicle's hull and its rotating turret. Designed to closely match the outer contours of the Akatsiya, the protective framework adds defensive capability while only slightly increasing the overall physical dimensions of the vehicle.
The secondary screen structures are intended to reduce the effectiveness of incoming cumulative warheads during combat operations. Cumulative or shaped-charge warheads rely on a focused explosive blast to penetrate armored plating, but striking an external mesh screen can disrupt the formation of the explosive jet. The native armor of the Akatsiya is engineered primarily to shield the vehicle and crew from small arms fire and shell splinters, featuring steel plates with a maximum thickness of 30 millimeters.
Artillery capabilities and weapon design
The tracked military vehicle carries a 152-millimeter 2A33 howitzer as its primary armament. This heavy artillery capability enables operating crews to engage opposing targets at ranges of more than 20 kilometers.
First introduced into Soviet service in the early 1970s, the 2S3 Akatsiya is a tracked self-propelled howitzer developed by Uraltransmash to deliver mobile indirect fire support. The colloquial term mangal derives from the Russian word for a barbecue grill, referencing the grid-like appearance of the improvised anti-drone cages now widely fitted to armored fighting vehicles on the battlefield.
Russian mobile artillery developments
The sighting of the upgraded howitzer highlights ongoing efforts to protect traditional heavy armor against modern unmanned aerial threats. The report follows coverage of other Russian mobile artillery platforms, including the 2S43 Malva. In August, the official military publication Krasnaya Zvezda reported that the wheeled Malva artillery system allows operating crews to occupy firing positions as rapidly as possible.
