Russian forces have fielded the 2S19 Msta-S family in Ukraine, with Bellingcat identifying the same Msta-S in Russia and Novoazovsk during the 2014 Donbas phase, Defense Express reporting a destroyed Russian 2S19M1 in July 2022, and Oryx documenting 2S19 Msta-S and Msta-SM2 losses; Ukrainian units have also operated captured Msta-S systems.
Role detailsArtillery
2S19 Msta-S
Also known as
- 2S19
- 2S19M1
- 2S19M1 Msta-S
- 2S19M2
- 2S19M2 Msta-S
- 2S33
- 2C19M1
- Msta-S
- Msta-SM1
- Msta-SM2
- Msta
The 2S19 Msta-S is a Soviet-designed, Russian-produced 152 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer that combines a 2A64 gun, armored cross-country mobility, automated loading, and later digital fire-control upgrades. The 2S19M1 branch adds automated guidance and command-and-control integration, while official Rostec reporting describes the 2S19M2 / 2S33 Msta-SM2 branch with ASUNO-M fire control, electronic mapping, automatic laying recovery, and a 10-round-per-minute aimed firing rate. Its combat record spans Russian use in Chechnya and Ukraine, Ethiopia's wartime Msta fleet, and Ukrainian operation of captured Msta-S systems.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- Russia
Russian federal forces used Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems among rocket and artillery strike assets during the Second Chechen War.
- Side
- Ethiopia
Ethiopia acquired at least twelve 2S19 Msta systems from Russian stocks as an emergency wartime purchase and used them in heavy action against Eritrean forces during the border war.
The Ethiopian National Defence Force redeployed its 2S19 Msta self-propelled guns during the Tigray War, with Oryx documenting them among the systems sent against Tigray forces and observed around the front lines on flatbed transports.
Combat-Service Pattern
The 2S19 record is split between state-owned heavy artillery fleets and captured-vehicle use. Russian service in Chechnya and Ukraine shows the system's long-running role as tracked fire-support artillery, Ethiopia's small fleet shows the export and redeployment lane, and Ukraine shows trophy systems turned back into service.
| Context | Operator side | Documented pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Second Chechen War | Russia | Russian federal forces used Msta-S systems among rocket and artillery strike assets. |
| Eritrean-Ethiopian War | Ethiopia | Emergency Russian-stock acquisition followed by heavy artillery action against Eritrean forces. |
| Tigray War | Ethiopian government and allies | Existing ENDF Msta vehicles redeployed toward front-line areas during the northern war. |
| Russia-Ukraine War | Russia and Ukraine | Russian battlefield losses, an identified 2014 Donbas-phase Msta-S, and Ukrainian captured-system operation place the same family on both sides of the conflict record. |
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Soviet Union / Russia
- Type
- 152 mm tracked self-propelled howitzer
- Service note
- Entered Soviet service in 1989; later combat use includes Russian service in Chechnya and Ukraine, Ethiopia's wartime Msta fleet, and captured Ukrainian operation in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
- Designer
- Uraltransmash
- Designed
- 1980s development program
- Produced
- First production systems completed in 1989; later modernized variants continued in Russian production.
Specifications
- Caliber
- 152 mm
- Main armament
- 152 mm 2A64 gun-howitzer
- Secondary armament
- 12.7 mm NSVT machine gun
- Crew
- 5
- Combat weight
- About 42 tonnes
- Maximum road speed
- 60 km/h
- Cruising range
- 500 km
- Maximum range
- Up to 24.7 km with OF-45 high-explosive fragmentation ammunition
- 2S19M1 range
- Rosoboronexport lists 24.7 km with HEF projectiles, 29 km with ERFB-BB HEF projectiles, and 20 km with Krasnopol-M2 guided projectiles
- 2S19M1 rate of fire
- 7-8 rounds per minute
- 2S19M1 ammunition allowance
- 50 rounds
- 2S19M1 fire-control interface
- Interface to an automated artillery command-and-control system listed as available
- 2S19M2 fire-control system
- ASUNO-M automated guidance and fire-control system with electronic terrain-map display, autonomous coordinate determination, and automatic firing-data calculation for indirect fire
- 2S19M2 aimed rate of fire
- Up to 10 rounds per minute from carried ammunition
- 2S19M2 fire mission feature
- Fire-raid mode described by Uraltransmash as allowing one gun to put five rounds on a target nearly simultaneously before leaving the firing position
- Chassis
- Tracked chassis using T-80 suspension/running gear components and a T-72-derived diesel power pack
2S19M1 Fire-Control Modernization
The 2S19M1 branch keeps the 152 mm Msta-S gun-howitzer format but shifts the page's modernization context toward automated laying, navigation, and command-and-control integration rather than a new chassis family.
Fire-control system
Rosoboronexport describes the 2S19M1 as using an automated guidance and fire-control system that allows firing from unprepared emplacements.
Digital crew work
The same official page says the crew works with a digital terrain map on a monitor, with automatic targeting and restoration of aim after each shot.
Modernized deliveries
Rostec reported April 2024 deliveries of upgraded 2S19M1 Msta-S guns to the Russian Armed Forces, describing digital automated guidance and fire-control equipment.
2S19M2 / 2S33 Msta-SM2 Upgrade
The 2S19M2 branch is the model-specific modernization most closely associated with the 2S33 Msta-SM2 designation. Official Rostec and Uraltransmash reporting ties the variant to improved aimed rate of fire, automated guidance and fire control, electronic mapping, and shorter exposure on the firing position after a mission.
ASUNO-M fire control
Rostec says 2S19M2 vehicles use a modernized automated guidance and fire-control system with electronic terrain-map display, autonomous coordinate determination, and automatic firing-data calculation for indirect fire.
Fire-raid mode
Uraltransmash reported that the 2S19M2 added a fire-raid mode intended to let one gun place five rounds on a target nearly simultaneously before leaving the firing position.
Rate and signature
Rostec lists a 10-round-per-minute aimed firing rate from carried ammunition and says the modernized vehicle reduced radar, thermal, and optical visibility.
Variants
The Msta-S designation family separates the original 152 mm tracked system from export and modernization branches, including the automated 2S19M1, the NATO-caliber 2S19M1-155 export configuration, and the Msta-SM2 / 2S33 modernization.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2S19M | Early modernization | Army Recognition lists 2S19M as a modernized Msta-S designation inside the 2S19 family. Sources: 2S19 Msta-S |
| 2S19M1 | Automated guidance and fire-control modernization | Rosoboronexport identifies the 2S19M1 Msta-S as a 152 mm version with automated guidance and fire-control equipment, digital terrain-map crew work, automatic targeting recovery after each shot, and an interface to automated artillery command-and-control systems. Sources: 2S19M1 MSTA-S |
| 2S19M1-155 | 155 mm export configuration | Rosoboronexport markets the 2S19M1-155 as a 155 mm Msta-S export version for NATO-standard artillery ammunition. Sources: 2S19M1-155 MSTA-S |
| 2S19M2 / 2S33 Msta-SM2 | Modernized Russian variant | Rostec describes the 2S19M2 Msta-S as a modernized branch with ASUNO-M automated guidance and fire control, electronic mapping, autonomous coordinate determination, automatic calculation for indirect fire, automatic laying recovery after firing, a 10-round-per-minute aimed firing rate from carried ammunition, and reduced radar, thermal, and optical signature measures. Oryx separately tracks Msta-SM2 losses in Ukraine. Sources: Rostec Delivered Modernized Msta-S Howitzers, Uraltransmash Delivered New Msta-S Howitzers, Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |
Ammunition Fired
FAS says the 2S19 autoloader can handle the Krasnopol-M follow-on projectile developed for the loading mechanism. Army Recognition says the 2A64 gun on the 2S19 can fire the OF-45 HE-FRAG round to 24.7 km.
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Laser-guided artillery projectile | FAS says the Krasnopol-M follow-on projectile is fully compatible with the 2S19 autoloader. Sources: 2S19 152-mm Self-Propelled Howitzer |
 | 152 mm HE-FRAG projectile | Army Recognition identifies the 2A64 gun as firing the OF-45 high-explosive fragmentation round to a maximum range of 24.7 km. Sources: 2S19 Msta-S |
Timeline
2S19 Msta-S Key Events
First production and service entry
Reference sources place first production and Soviet service entry for the 2S19 Msta-S in 1989.
Sources: 2S19 Msta-S
Msta-S used in Chechnya
Moscow Defense Brief recorded Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems among Russian rocket and artillery strike assets in the Second Chechen War.
Sources: Russian Army Operations And Weaponry During Second Military Campaign In Chechnya
Ethiopia buys wartime 2S19 systems
Ethiopia acquired at least twelve 2S19 Msta systems from Russian Army stocks during the Eritrean-Ethiopian War.
Sources: Mobilised For War: Ethiopia's Russian 2S19 Msta SPGs
Ethiopian Msta systems documented in Tigray War context
Oryx reported that Ethiopian 2S19 systems had been deployed against Tigray forces and seen moving around front-line areas on flatbed trucks.
Sources: Mobilised For War: Ethiopia's Russian 2S19 Msta SPGs
Full-scale Russia-Ukraine War loss tracking begins
Oryx's full-scale invasion loss database later documented Russian 2S19 Msta-S and Msta-SM2 losses with visual evidence categories.
Sources: Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
Rostec reports first 2023 2S19M2 batch
Rostec said it had supplied the Russian Ministry of Defence with the first 2023 batch of new modernized 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers under the state defense order.
Sources: Rostec Delivered Modernized Msta-S Howitzers
Rostec reports upgraded 2S19M1 deliveries
Rostec said a new batch of upgraded 2S19M1 Msta-S self-propelled guns had been delivered to the Russian Armed Forces after joint modernization under the state defence procurement program.
Sources: Rostec Has Fielded A New Batch Of The Msta-S And Akatsia Self-Propelled Guns
Captured Msta-S reported in Zaporizhzhia service
Ukrinform reported Ukrainian operation of a Russian-captured 2S19 Msta-S in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Sources: AFU Use Trophy Msta-S Artillery System In Zaporizhzhia Sector
Media
2S19 Msta-S Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
2S19M1 MSTA-SPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export page for the 152 mm 2S19M1 Msta-S, supporting system role, automated guidance and fire-control context, digital terrain-map crew work, rate of fire, ammunition allowance, crew, weight, road speed, range figures, and command-and-control interface. | Accessed: 2026-07-022S19M1-155 MSTA-SPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export page for the 155 mm Msta-S branch, supporting the 2S19M1-155 variant distinction. | Accessed: 2026-07-022S19 Msta-SPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports 2S19 background, manufacturer/production context, armament, chassis, variants, and range data. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rostec Has Fielded A New Batch Of The Msta-S And Akatsia Self-Propelled GunsPublisher: Rostec | Note: Official Rostec news item supporting 2024 delivery of upgraded 2S19M1 Msta-S systems to the Russian Armed Forces and the digital automated guidance and fire-control modernization context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Uraltransmash Delivered New Msta-S HowitzersPublisher: Rostec | Note: Official Rostec item on Uraltransmash delivery of new 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers to the Russian Ministry of Defence, supporting the 2S19M2 designation, improved aimed rate of fire, fire-raid mode, crew habitability claim, and delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rostec Delivered Modernized Msta-S HowitzersPublisher: Rostec | Note: Official Rostec item on a 2023 batch of modernized 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers, supporting ASUNO-M fire-control details, electronic mapping, autonomous coordinate determination, automatic laying recovery after firing, reduced signature measures, 10-round-per-minute aimed firing rate, and 2023 delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-022S19 152-mm Self-Propelled HowitzerPublisher: Foreign Military Studies Office | Note: Supports the 2S19 autoloader description and the Krasnopol-M compatibility claim. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Mobilised For War: Ethiopia's Russian 2S19 Msta SPGsPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports direct 1998 Eritrean-Ethiopian War and 2020 Tigray War context for Ethiopian 2S19 acquisition, use, and redeployment. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Russian Army Operations And Weaponry During Second Military Campaign In ChechnyaPublisher: Moscow Defense Brief | Note: Supports direct 1999 Second Chechen War use by Russian federal forces by listing Msta-S self-propelled artillery systems among rocket and artillery strike assets. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Confirming The Location Of The Same Msta-S In Russia And UkrainePublisher: Bellingcat | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context by identifying the same Msta-S in Russia in July 2014 and Novoazovsk, Ukraine, in September 2014. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Another Russia's Msta-S Howitzer Was Destroyed By Ukrainian ArtillerymenPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context for Ukrainian artillery destruction of a Russian 2S19M1 Msta-S in July 2022. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Attack On Europe: Documenting Russian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of UkrainePublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context by documenting Russian 2S19 Msta-S and Msta-SM2 losses with visual-evidence methodology. | Accessed: 2026-07-02AFU Use Trophy Msta-S Artillery System In Zaporizhzhia SectorPublisher: Ukrinform | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context for Ukrainian use of a captured Russian 2S19 Msta-S in the Zaporizhzhia sector. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Ukrainian Forces Strike Two Msta-S Self-Propelled Guns, Two Howitzers In RussiaPublisher: Ukrinform | Note: Supports direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War context for Russian 2S19 Msta-S systems targeted by Ukrainian forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-02File:2S19 Msta-S of the Ukrainian Army.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary image, a Ukrainian 2S19 Msta-S photographed during the 2008 Independence Day parade in Kyiv under CC BY 3.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-02File:Ukrainian 2S19 Msta-S Self-Propelled Howitzers.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the gallery image, listed under CC BY 3.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-02File:SPG 2S19M2 Msta-S On Oboronexpo In 2014 Front View.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a front-view 2S19M2 Msta-S photograph from Oboronexpo 2014, listed under CC BY-SA 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-02File:UA Air Assault Forces Captured Msta-SM2 02.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a captured Russian Msta-SM2 displayed by Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, listed under CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-02File:9th Guards Artillery Brigade 2S19 Msta-S Firing 03-03-2016 01.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Russian 2S19 Msta-S firing during 9th Guards Artillery Brigade training, listed under CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-02