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Russia Claims to Have Destroyed an RCH 155 in Ukraine, Despite the Weaponry Not Being Operational on the Front; Official Announcement Contradicts Delivery Schedule Released by Germany
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the destruction of a self-propelled howitzer RCH 155, an advanced artillery model manufactured in Germany. The information was released in a bulletin published on the ministry’s official channel on Telegram and reproduced by the TASS agency.
In the statement, the Russians listed several losses attributed to Ukrainian forces. Among the items mentioned were armored vehicles, equipment of American origin, and unexpectedly, a unit of the RCH 155 of 155 mm.
Contradiction in the Announcement
The striking detail is that, according to public data, the first RCH 155 howitzers are not expected to be delivered to Ukraine until the end of 2025. So far, the only unit delivered by the manufacturer KNDS was sent to Germany for training purposes and not for combat use.
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The German Ministry of Defense confirmed in January that this first unit would remain on German soil for a few months, with the goal of training Ukrainian military personnel. Therefore, according to the officially released information, there are no records of the equipment being used on the front.
This contradiction raises doubts about the veracity of the claim made by Moscow. It remains unclear whether there was an error in identification, if it is wartime propaganda, or if some delivery was made prematurely and secretly.
What the Russian Report Says
According to the note published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, “The enemy lost up to 475 soldiers, one M113 armored personnel carrier, one American-made HMMWV armored vehicle, and five vehicles. Five artillery pieces were also destroyed, including a self-propelled artillery unit RCH 155 of 155 mm manufactured in Germany and an AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar of American origin.” Among these is the supposed RCH 155 of 155 mm, along with an AN/TPQ-36 radar also of American origin.
The inclusion of the RCH 155 among the destroyed items is surprising given the timeline. The contracts between Ukraine and KNDS provide for the delivery of 54 units, with the first six howitzers expected to arrive in the second half of 2025.
Characteristics of the RCH 155
The RCH 155 is considered one of the most modern artillery systems today. It is a wheeled howitzer that combines advanced technology with high mobility. It can be operated by just two soldiers, with a range of up to 54 kilometers, and the capability to fire while moving.
Automation is one of the equipment’s strengths. Its loading system is entirely autonomous, allowing for greater agility. It also has integration with digital combat networks. However, there are limitations: its capacity is only 30 projectiles, necessitating frequent reloads.
Fact or Error?
The assertion made by Russia raises questions. So far, there is no independent confirmation that an RCH 155 has been destroyed in Ukraine. The episode reinforces the atmosphere of uncertainty and the competition for narratives surrounding the war.
For now, the question remains: is the Russian claim based on a fact, a mistake, or a symbolic message for strategic purposes?
With information from Xataka.
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