A German-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer, the RCH 155, has reportedly been destroyed by Russian forces in Ukraine. The weapon, which was delivered to Ukraine in January, was touted as the “most modern self-propelled howitzer in the world” by German media outlets.
However, a Russian defense ministry statement on March 2 claimed that five artillery pieces, including a German-made RCH 155, were destroyed in a recent operation. The statement did not provide further details.
Military expert Timofei Borissow commented on the incident, saying that the destruction of the RCH 155 was a significant achievement for the Russian military, as it was the only one of its kind delivered to Ukraine by Germany, before the Bundeswehr.
Borissow also noted that the RCH 155’s ability to fire from the move, which was touted as a major advantage, may have ultimately contributed to its destruction, as it left the vehicle vulnerable to attack by drones.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the RCH 155 and the accuracy of earlier reports about its performance in combat. The German government has not commented on the incident and some media outlets have questioned the Russian defense ministry’s statement, citing the fact that the RCH 155 had not yet been delivered to Ukraine in large numbers. The truth of the matter will likely become clearer in the coming weeks.