(BELGOROD OBLAST) – Ukrainian drone units have destroyed three Russian 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers in separate strikes across the Belgorod and Kursk regions. The strikes targeted artillery assets supporting Russian offensive operations in the Vovchansk area of Kharkiv Oblast.
Geolocated footage released on 14th August 2026 shows two of the howitzers hidden in a tree line near the settlement of Grafa in Belgorod Oblast. The video, shared by Ukrainian military sources, depicts a series of drone strikes. The first howitzer was already burning heavily from a previous impact, its rear section split open by the blast. The second howitzer, fitted with a protective cope cage, required multiple precision strikes before a significant fire took hold inside the vehicle, ultimately destroying it.
The Msta-S is a 152.4 mm self-propelled howitzer system first introduced in the 1980s. It is considered one of the most capable artillery pieces in the Russian arsenal, with a maximum firing range of 25 kilometres. The two systems destroyed near Grafa were positioned to provide fire support for Russian ground operations in the northern Vovchansk sector.
A third Msta-S was destroyed in a separate engagement in Kursk Oblast. Initial footage showed the howitzer stationary by a roadside, suggesting it may have been abandoned. However, after the first drone strike, the vehicle began moving along a road in an apparent attempt to escape. Ukrainian drones pursued the howitzer to a warehouse, where subsequent strikes ignited a large fire, culminating in a significant explosion and smoke plume. The crew’s attempt to flee indicates the first strike caused more damage than initially visible or that the vehicle was already compromised.
According to open source tracking by the RX project, Russia had approximately 450 Msta-S howitzers in service at the start of the full scale invasion. The type has suffered substantial losses, with 267 standard Msta-S and 59 of the newer Msta-SM2 variant documented as destroyed.
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