Social media has been abuzz with images of new military equipment arriving in Ukraine, specifically the 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers.
Unclear How Many Were Sent
Analysts from Defense Express have suggested that this mystery support, which no government has officially claimed responsibility for, might have originated from Bulgaria, according to WP.
These howitzers, recognized by their distinct green camouflage, could be part of a covert aid package from Bulgaria to Ukraine. Earlier reports from 2024 indicated that Bulgaria was preparing to supply Ukraine with military equipment, including Gvozdikas, from its stockpiles.
At the beginning of last year, Bulgaria reportedly had 48 of these howitzers, although it remains unclear how many were eventually sent to Kyiv.
Low Profile and Mobility
The secretive nature of this transfer has sparked speculation, especially given past issues where Bulgaria’s government blocked the transfer of 100 BTR-60 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
Despite this, it seems Bulgaria managed to discreetly supply the Ukrainian armed forces with crucial artillery support.
Ukraine has also received 2S1 Gvozdika howitzers from other countries, including 22 units from Poland in 2023 and additional units from Finland, identifiable by their unique camouflage patterns.
The 2S1 Gvozdika, a Soviet-era self-propelled howitzer first produced in 1971, is valued for its low profile and mobility. It can reach speeds of 60 km/h on roads and 5 km/h in water.
Its standard high-explosive fragmentation shells have a range of over 15 km, with rocket-assisted projectiles extending that range to nearly 22 km.
