Ukrainian defense forces continue to systematically degrade the enemy’s firepower, extending their successful military operations far beyond the temporarily occupied territories and deep into Russian soil. On Saturday, April 18, the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially reported another highly effective operation resulting in the destruction of four major artillery systems on the territory of the Russian Federation. Soldiers of the renowned 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after the Black Zaporozhians, conducted a series of precision strikes, completely dismantling two 2S19 “Msta-S” self-propelled howitzers and two D-30 towed howitzers. This bold cross-border engagement highlights a critical shift in modern warfare tactics, proving that Russian artillery crews can no longer find safe havens behind their own state borders.
“Minus the enemy’s firepower in this direction. The border does not save from retribution,” the official statement noted, accompanied by compelling video evidence of the flawless execution by Ukrainian artillerymen and drone operators. While the exact geographical coordinates of the operation remain classified for obvious security reasons, the elimination of such heavy weaponry directly on enemy territory is a substantial tactical victory. Russian forces consistently use 152mm systems like the Msta-S and 122mm D-30 howitzers to launch indiscriminate terrorist attacks on peaceful border settlements in Ukraine’s Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions. The destruction of the Msta-S, which boasts a firing range exceeding 24 kilometers, directly translates to saved civilian lives and diminished threats to crucial border infrastructure.
The neutralization of Russian artillery across the border is part of a broader, well-coordinated campaign by the Ukrainian Armed Forces designed to demilitarize the Russian army across all operational theaters. Frontline successes are constantly complemented by the systematic elimination of Russia’s most unique and expensive combat vehicles. For instance, recent reports confirmed the spectacular destruction of a Russian TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” heavy flamethrower system in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region. The strike resulted in a massive, catastrophic detonation of the vehicle’s thermobaric ammunition payload, underscoring the lethal efficiency of Ukraine’s modern strike capabilities.
Furthermore, Ukraine’s strategic vision extends well beyond the tactical destruction of frontline armor and border artillery. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are actively executing a comprehensive multidimensional strategy that heavily targets the logistical and economic foundations of the Russian war machine. A prominent example of this deep-strike capability was demonstrated recently when Ukrainian forces successfully hit four major Russian oil facilities. Such extensive drone operations severely disrupt the supply of fuels and lubricants to the occupying troops. By starving the Russian military of essential energy resources, their armored columns are rendered immobile, forcing the enemy command to divert immense resources toward repairing infrastructure and securing heavily stretched supply lines.
In conclusion, the successful operation by the 72nd Mechanized Brigade on Russian territory serves as yet another undeniable proof that there are no longer any unreachable targets for the Ukrainian military. The seamless integration of advanced aerial reconnaissance, rapid command decision-making, and pinpoint strike accuracy allows Ukraine to systematically dismantle Russia’s numerical artillery advantage. Combined efforts—from incinerating thermobaric rocket launchers in the southern steppes to crippling oil refineries and destroying artillery batteries across the border—create a powerful synergetic effect that steadily exhausts Russia’s offensive capabilities.