War in Ukraine: Powerful Russian 2S5 Giatsint

It’s a major discovery. In a video posted on Facebook and shared by the Ukrainian media Defense Express, the Ukrainian army showed images of artillerymen from the 24th brigade seizing the 2S5 Giatsint-S system, a Soviet-designed cannon. According to the brigade, this 152mm artillery weapon had been previously stolen from another sector of the front before being put back into service against Russian forces in the fierce fighting at Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region. This area is one of the major hot spots in eastern Ukraine where Russian troops have been trying to advance for months.

In the video, the brigade is seen preparing the cannon, loading ammunition, and firing several rounds towards Russian positions. The 2S5 Giatsint-S cannon – which could have been dismantled to retrieve spare parts – was renamed “Kraken” by Ukrainian fighters, symbolizing its new role among the Ukrainians. The weapon “now turns against its former owners,” said the brigade representatives.

Evaluated at over $4 million (approximately 3.4 million euros) according to Le Parisien, the 2S5 Giatsint-S is a Soviet self-propelled artillery system with one of the longest ranges. Designed for deep firing missions, it is equipped with a powerful 152mm cannon that can reach targets several tens of kilometers away, depending on the type of ammunition used. “This system remains a formidable weapon thanks to its firepower and range,” despite its age (in service since 1978), Defense Express noted.

Last week, Ukrainian drone operators reported destroying a Russian 2S5 Giatsint-S self-propelled artillery system using simple FPV attack drones. In a video posted on its Facebook page on May 6, the 33rd Mechanized Brigade from Ukraine expressed pride by revealing images of the strike on the Giatsint-S, even going as far as calling it a “gift for Infantry Day.” In April and February, Kiev had already neutralized two Russian aircraft of the same type, also hidden in the woods.