- Ukraine has fielded the towed Bohdana-BG 155mm howitzer in frontline artillery units, reflecting a shift toward more survivable systems under widespread drone threat.
- Combat use shows the Bohdana-BG provides high accuracy and repairability while adapting Ukrainian artillery tactics to drone-driven battlefield conditions.
Ukraine has deployed a towed version of its domestically produced 155mm artillery system, known as the Bohdana-BG, with the weapon now in active service for at least a year in frontline artillery units, according to reporting by Ukrainian outlet Oboronka.
The system is currently operated by the 147th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Air Assault Forces in eastern Ukraine.
Large self-propelled guns mounted on truck chassis, such as the original Bohdana, face growing threats from long-range drones, including FPV systems capable of striking targets tens of kilometers from the line of contact.
According to Oboronka, the shift toward towed artillery reflects a broader adaptation to drone-heavy combat. Towed systems can be more easily concealed and, in some cases, better withstand drone strikes due to their simpler design and reduced reliance on onboard electronics and fuel systems.
The Bohdana-BG was developed by the Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant, the manufacturer of the original Bohdana self-propelled howitzer. The company leveraged its barrel production capabilities to enter the segment of towed artillery systems. The towed variant retains a 155mm gun with a 52-caliber barrel, comparable in length to systems such as the French CAESAR, while exceeding the 39-caliber barrel of the U.S.-supplied M777.
According to the report, the Bohdana-BG has a maximum firing range of 41 kilometers and a minimum range of 4.7 kilometers. Its overall length in transport configuration reaches 13.5 meters, exceeding that of the M777 by approximately three meters. The system is significantly heavier than the British-supplied howitzer, requiring a KrAZ-6322 truck for towing, though tracked MT-LB vehicles are also used in some cases.
A divisional chief of staff with call sign “John” described the system’s accuracy in operational terms, stating: “This gun is a sniper rifle. Its accuracy is very good.” He added that achieving such precision requires coordinated inputs, including correct target coordinates, updated meteorological data, and proper ammunition configuration.
According to Oboronka, Ukrainian artillery units typically take about six minutes from receiving target coordinates to firing the first shot. Although the system is capable of firing up to six rounds per minute, crews prioritize accuracy over rate of fire, often firing one to two rounds per minute with continuous adjustments based on drone-based observation.
The system operates with a standard crew of four: commander, gunner, loader, and charge handler. Ammunition selection is determined at the command post based on target type and range, with options including high-explosive fragmentation rounds, remote mining munitions, and rocket-assisted projectiles.
Unlike many Soviet-era systems, the Bohdana-BG uses bagged propellant charges rather than metallic cartridges. According to the unit, environmental factors such as air temperature and propellant temperature directly affect firing accuracy. In warmer conditions, the barrel may overheat after five to seven rounds, while colder conditions allow for up to ten accurate shots before performance degrades.
The towed system is mounted on the carriage of the Soviet-era 2A36 “Giatsint-B” howitzer. Ukrainian forces have reportedly praised this configuration for its durability. In one case described by the unit, a gun damaged by an FPV drone strike was able to be recovered and repaired within days.
The absence of onboard fuel systems, lubricants, and complex electronics improves survivability and repairability. “There are no fuel tanks or electronics here. The gun is completely mechanical. It is just metal that can be repaired even in positions,” the officer said.
According to brigade commander Col. Viktor Dovhal, the system has demonstrated resilience under combat conditions. “One of our systems withstood three drone strikes on optics. Within two days we fully restored it,” he said, contrasting this with more complex Western systems.