According to a video published on the "Ukraine Weapons Tracker" Twitter account on April 12, 2023, Finland would have given to Ukraine an undisclosed number of 152K89, the Finnish name of the Russian-made 2A36 Giatsint-B, a 152mm towed gun coming from its military inventory.
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Screenshot of Finnish 152K89 152mm towed gun used by Ukrainian soldiers. (Picture source Twitter Ukraine Weapons Tracker)
Citing open source information, before the war in Ukraine, Finnish armed forces has 24 152K89 that were used to provide indirect fire support for Jaeger and infantry brigades as well as battlegroups. To date, there has been no official announcement from the Finnish government on the delivery of these towed guns to Ukraine. Finland has sent €910 million worth of military aid to Ukraine.
On April 4, 2023, Finland became NATO’s newest member, upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
In a historic move that underlines its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region, Finland has officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This decisive action is a clear demonstration of Finland's stance towards Russia and its unwavering support for Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russian troops.
Finland shares an 832-mile border with Russia, and its accession to NATO will more than double the size of the organization's border with Russia. This addition will significantly bolster security along the border, fortifying NATO's presence in the region.
The Finnish government's decision to join NATO comes after a series of consultations and deliberations, ultimately concluding that membership would provide the best platform to safeguard national interests and foster regional stability.
This move has not gone unnoticed by Russia, which has expressed concerns over NATO's expansion. In response to Finland's accession, the Russian government has announced plans to strengthen its military capacity in its western and northwestern regions. The Kremlin argues that this is a necessary measure to protect its territory and maintain a balance of power in the face of what it perceives as a potential threat.
Despite the geopolitical tensions arising from Finland's entry into NATO, the organization and its member states maintain that the primary objective is to promote peace, security, and collaboration. NATO's Secretary General welcomed Finland's accession and reiterated the alliance's commitment to the mutual defense of its members.
As Finland takes its place within NATO, it is expected that the organization will continue to play a pivotal role in addressing regional security challenges and supporting Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. This development also underscores the importance of collective defense efforts to uphold international law and maintain peace in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
Finnish army 152K89 152mm towed gun. (Picture source Facebook Finnish army)
In terms of weapon and combat vehicles, Finland has already supplied to Ukraine Sisu XA-185 armored vehicles, 6 Leopard 2R mine clearing vehicles, 23mm anti-aircraft gun systems, 120 mortars, 1,500 M72 LAW anti-tank rockets, as well as small arms and a large quantity of ammunition.
The 2A36 Giatsint-B is a Soviet 152 mm field gun, also known as the M1982 or the 152 mm Field Gun M1982. It was developed in the 1970s by the Artillery Design Bureau of TsNIITochMash in Russia and was first introduced in 1982.
The 2A36 Giatsint-B was designed to replace the older 152 mm gun D-20 and to serve alongside the 2A65 "Msta-B" howitzer in the Soviet artillery units. The gun is capable of firing a wide range of ammunition, including standard high-explosive (HE), armor-piercing (AP), and cluster munitions. Additionally, it can fire the Krasnopol laser-guided projectile, which is designed for precision strikes on high-value targets.
The 2A36 Giatsint-B has a maximum firing range of approximately 28.9 kilometers with standard ammunition and up to 33 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles. The gun is mounted on a wheeled carriage with a split trail, allowing for a 360-degree field of fire. The gun's barrel is fitted with a muzzle brake to reduce recoil, and the carriage has a hydropneumatic recoil system to improve stability during firing.
Defense News April 2023
