Escalating Tensions: Russia Deploys New 2S19M2 Howitzers to Ukraine

In the Ukraine conflict, the 2S19 Msta-S 152mm tracked self-propelled howitzer has played a critical role in the Russian artillery arsenal, posing a significant threat to the Ukrainian military. On September 20, 2023, the Russian State Defense Company ROSTEC publicly announced the deployment of the latest generation, the 2S19M2, to the Russian armed forces, intended for rapid utilization in Ukraine. This updated self-propelled howitzer incorporates several significant enhancements. Having been in service since 1989, the Msta-S has already established itself as a crucial asset for Russia, notably during its operations in Ukraine. This prompts the question: what specific enhancements does this updated howitzer possess, and will the Ukrainian defenders be able to discern these differences?