Msta-S Crew Demonstrates Coordinated Fire in Special Operation Zone

The Russian Ministry of Defense has released a sequence of images and a video illustrating the combat operations of a Msta-S self-propelled howitzer crew within the special military operation zone. The material was distributed via the military department’s telegraph channel and is intended to provide a glimpse into the artillery work conducted during ongoing operations. The footage shows the crew loading the gun, engaging in multiple firing cycles, and then confirming a hit on the target using optoelectronic tracking devices. In the accompanying description, the Ministry states that the Msta-S crew successfully neutralized camouflaged positions belonging to Ukrainian forces. The report emphasizes that the artillery support relied on precise coordination, with artillery spotters and drone operators ensuring the firmness of fire as the engagement unfolded. The broadcast also notes that the missions demonstrated in the video were executed by personnel drawn from reserve units as part of partial mobilization, highlighting the contribution of experienced soldiers who rejoined active duties for this operation. The commander of the weapon system, who uses the call sign Harpoon, praised the crew, saying that every fighter understood their role and performed with flawless coordination, likening the team to a single well-tuned organism on the battlefield. This portrayal aims to underscore the effectiveness and readiness of the forces involved in the operation and to reassure observers of the reliability of the competitive artillery units under comparable combat tasks. In a broader context, earlier disclosures from Dmitry Rogozin, the former head of Roscosmos, who also leads a special detachment of military advisers known as The Wolves of the Tsar, circulated a video that purportedly shows the moment of liquidation of a fortified Ukrainian position. Rogozin attributed the destruction to the Kuban Plastun detachment named after Ataman Zakhary Chepega, which is part of the Russian Volunteer Shock Brigade. The narrative surrounding these releases repeatedly stresses rapid response, disciplined execution, and the integration of volunteer and reserve forces into regular operations, with the stated aim of disrupting fortified or camouflaged defensive positions and improving frontline conditions for advancing units. The DoD dispatches also align with the broader information objective of highlighting the capacity of Russian artillery crews to conduct complex firing missions under demanding conditions and to maintain a steady tempo of fire when targeting concealed or fortified infrastructure. The overall impression conveyed is that the depicted actions reflect a deliberate, trained, and cohesive effort by a mix of active-duty and mobilized personnel working in concert to achieve suppressive and destructive effects against adversary strongpoints, while documenting that such operations proceed under the supervision of experienced commanders and accredited spotters who direct artillery assets with precision. This emphasis on coordination and readiness appears designed to contrast with other deployments, reinforcing a message of disciplined warfare and operational resilience. The referenced videos and statements are presented as part of ongoing efforts to provide visibility into Russian artillery capabilities and the readiness of units committed to the current phase of the operation, with attribution to the official channels associated with the Ministry and the military advisers involved in the broader information strategy.