In Video: Ukrainian Roving Mortar Crew Came Under Russian FireSouth Front

Another video from the Ukrainian front lines showed a crew of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with roving mortars which was shelled by Russian forces.

The massive use of mortars as a means of universal support for both offensive and defensive actions became one of the specific features of the war in Ukraine many years ago as the Armed Forces of Ukraine are armed with various types of Soviet-made mortars of various calibers. They include 2B14 “Podnos” of of 82 mm caliber, 120 mm 2C12 “Sani”, 82-mm KBA-48M, 60-mm mortar KBA118 and 120-mm M120-15 “Hammer” etc. However, these old weapons caused a number of incidents which resulted in deaths of Ukrainian servicemen both in combat and in field conditions.

Since 2014, the Ukrainian military began using the tactics of roving mortars against the pro-Russian population of the Donbass republics. The mortars were mounted on pick ups, armored vehicles, including civilian vehicles.

Prior to the attack, the target as well as the location of the firing position are identified by the reconnaissance UAVs. Then, the firing squad on a vehicle with mortar rapidly approaches to the target and fires several raids. In about 10-15 minutes, the squad leaves the scene.

Such a simple and effective tactics makes it difficult for the enemy to identify the firing position and open the response fire. The main advantage of the mortar is a relatively high rate of fire, low mass, simplicity of the device and combat use, constant readiness to open fire.

The AFU have been using the roving mortars since the very beginning of the so-called anti-terrorist operation against the population of the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics. The mortars of Ukrainian forces have been terrorising civilians for years.

Today, both of the warring sides are using the quite effective tactics. However, it seems that Russian-led forces have already manage to quickly identify and detroy the Ukrainian crews.