Russia has confirmed fresh deliveries of its Krasnopol-M2 laser-guided artillery shells to frontline units, reinforcing Moscow’s push for more precise, efficient firepower amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The shipments, announced via TASS and supplied by Rostec’s High Precision Systems, highlight Russia’s increasing reliance on guided munitions to offset heavy ammunition expenditure and losses from Ukrainian counter-battery fire. Bekhan Ozdoyev, director of Rostec’s arms cluster, called the deliveries “highly needed,” reflecting the growing operational demand for precision effects on the battlefield. The Krasnopol-M2 is a 152 mm semi-active laser-guided projectile designed to strike fortified or moving targets with pinpoint accuracy. It builds on the long-serving Krasnopol line produced by KBP, offering improved guidance resilience and enhanced range. Field reports suggest that the M2 variant is being deployed across a wide range of artillery systems, including the Akatsiya, Msta-B, Msta-S, Malva, and Giatsint-B, making guided shells a standard feature rather than a specialized capability. Russian units have increasingly paired these projectiles with drones for target designation, shortening the sensor-to-shooter loop and improving strike precision in contested environments. The expanded use of Krasnopol shells marks a shift in Russian tactics from traditional saturation fire to more economical, targeted engagements. This transition mirrors broader trends in modern warfare, where precision munitions help conserve resources and reduce exposure to counter-battery retaliation. By distributing guided artillery across its frontlines, Russia is attempting to maintain battlefield lethality even under sanctions and logistical pressures, demonstrating that technological adaptation remains a cornerstone of its sustained campaign in Ukraine.
