On October 18, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the destruction of three French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzers in Ukraine’s Zaporozhye region, specifically near the village of Levadnoye. The Russian report also highlighted that in the same battle, U.S.-made M113 armored personnel carriers were eliminated, though their exact number was not disclosed. Furthermore, three Polish-supplied Krab self-propelled howitzers, as well as other military equipment, were destroyed.
“As a result of the actions of units of the “Vostok” troop group, the village of Levadnoye, Zaporozhye region was liberated. The manpower and equipment of the mechanized and motorized rifle brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, four defense brigades, and one brigade of the National Guard were defeated. Seven counterattacks of the airborne assault units of the Ukrainian armed forces were repulsed,” the Russian Defense Ministry report said.
“The enemy lost up to 790 soldiers, five armored fighting vehicles, including a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, and 33 vehicles. Three French-made 155mm Caesar self-propelled artillery pieces and three Polish-made Crab self-propelled artillery pieces were destroyed,” concludes the report.
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, France has delivered 18 Caesar self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, with 12 of these arriving in June 2022 and an additional six sent in 2023. France has also pledged to deliver another 12 units by the end of 2024. Furthermore, Denmark provided 19 Caesars in 2023 alone, which brings the total number of these advanced howitzers supplied or promised by both France and Denmark to 49 units.
The French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzer is a highly capable artillery system, known for its precision and versatility on the battlefield. Armed with a 155mm/L52 caliber cannon, the Caesar can fire a wide range of munitions, including high-explosive [HE] shells, illuminating rounds, smoke shells, and training rounds, as well as precision-guided munitions such as the BONUS round, designed for accurate strikes against enemy vehicles and fortified positions.
One of the most notable features of the CAESAR is its exceptional mobility, which is crucial for modern warfare. Mounted on a 6×6 or 8×8 wheeled chassis, the Caesar is highly maneuverable and can move quickly across diverse terrain, offering superior flexibility in combat.
The 8×8 version, in particular, is an advanced configuration, equipped with an automated loading system that allows for a maximum rate of fire of six rounds per minute. Depending on the user’s requirements, the chassis can be adapted to different truck models, with the Tatra T-815 8×8 often chosen for its larger payload capacity.
The CAESAR’s design emphasizes rapid deployment and transportability, making it ideal for fast-moving operations in contemporary combat environments. Its modular design and ease of transportation ensure that it can be quickly repositioned or moved to new locations, enhancing its operational effectiveness. The system is also designed to seamlessly integrate with modern command and control systems, improving coordination and targeting accuracy during missions.
Having been deployed in various international conflicts, such as in Mali, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the Caesar has proven itself in diverse combat situations, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness. These characteristics have established the CAESAR as one of the leading self-propelled artillery systems currently in use by several countries, including Denmark, Ukraine, and others, further cementing its reputation as a top-tier piece of military equipment.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly, according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.
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