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Ukrainian Forces Eliminate Rare Russian 2S43 Malva Howitzer Hidden in Woods, Video
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A modern Russian self-propelled artillery system, the 2S43 “Malva,” has reportedly been destroyed by a Ukrainian FPV drone operated by the 413th Separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems “Raid.”
According to the Ukrainian military, the strike occurred after drone operators detected traces of vehicle movement in a forested area where Russian forces had attempted to conceal the howitzer. A series of FPV drones were launched to target the area.
One of the drones approached the system from behind and struck the ammunition storage section of the Malva, resulting in a detonation that destroyed the entire platform.
The 2S43 “Malva” is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer developed by Russia as a more mobile alternative to tracked artillery systems. It uses the gun system from the long-range 2A36 “Giatsint-B” cannon in place of the 2A64 howitzer, enabling improved range performance.
Standard high-explosive shells fired from the Malva can reach targets up to 30.5 kilometers away, while extended-range projectiles can reach up to 33.1 kilometers.
The system is mounted on the BAZ-6910-011 chassis, produced by the Bryansk Automobile Plant—a facility that has itself been targeted in previous Ukrainian drone strikes.
Due to its wheeled configuration and simplified gun module, the Malva is designed for easier and more scalable production compared to traditional tracked artillery systems. Over the past year, Russia has increased its production of the 2S43 as part of efforts to modernize its artillery forces.
Earlier in February 2025, satellite and rail imagery showed a shipment of at least eight Russian 2S43 Malva or 2S44 Giatsint-K howitzers, indicating increased production of wheeled artillery systems amid Russia’s shift toward cheaper, mobile firepower.
