2014 Russia-Ukraine War

2S34 Chosta in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War

Russian 2S34 Chosta gun-mortars were documented in the full-scale Russia-Ukraine War through Russian deployment references, Ukrainian captures, and later Ukrainian drone strikes on rare Russian examples.

Weapon profile2S34 Chosta
SideRussiaUkraineRoleFire SupportCaptured Equipment
2S34 Chosta, 120 mm tracked self-propelled gun-mortar, Artillery - 2014 Russia-Ukraine War
Image source: Captured 2S34 Khosta Prague image

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
Russian forces fielded the 2S34 Chosta in Ukraine during the full-scale phase of the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.

Sources: Army Recognition 2S34 Hosta, Defense Express Avdiivka Hosta, NV Donetsk Hosta Destruction

Ukrainian forces captured at least two 2S34 Hosta vehicles in March-April 2022, including one reported in Chernihiv Oblast.

Sources: National Defence University 2S34 Hosta, NV Donetsk Hosta Destruction, Defense Express Avdiivka Hosta

A captured 2S34 Khosta was publicly displayed in Prague in July 2022 as Russian equipment captured or damaged during the 2022 invasion.

Sources: Captured 2S34 Khosta Prague image

Ukrainian FPV-drone strikes against Russian 2S34 vehicles were reported in the Avdiivka direction in January 2024 and north of Maryinka in May 2024.

Sources: Defense Express Avdiivka Hosta, NV Donetsk Hosta Destruction

Timeline

2S34 Chosta In 2014 Russia-Ukraine War

  1. First Ukrainian capture reported

    The National Defence University of Ukraine states that Ukrainian defenders captured a first 2S34 Hosta during the massive Russian invasion.

    Sources: National Defence University 2S34 Hosta

  2. Second capture in Chernihiv Oblast reported

    The same Ukrainian institutional page states that Ukrainian defense forces seized a second 2S34 Hosta in Chernihiv Oblast.

    Sources: National Defence University 2S34 Hosta

  3. Captured Chosta photographed in Prague

    A Wikimedia Commons photograph identified a captured 2S34 Khosta self-propelled mortar displayed in Prague during an exhibition of Russian equipment captured or damaged in the 2022 invasion.

    Sources: Captured 2S34 Khosta Prague image

  4. Russian deployment reference

    Army Recognition states that a Russian Ministry of Defense video published on this date showed the 2S34 deployed in Ukraine by the Russian army for combat operations.

    Sources: Army Recognition 2S34 Hosta

  5. Avdiivka-direction strike reported

    Defense Express reported that Ukrainian forces hit a Russian 2S34 Hosta with kamikaze FPV drones during fighting in the Avdiivka direction; the article said the exact time and place of the attack were not known from the available image.

    Sources: Defense Express Avdiivka Hosta

  6. Donetsk Oblast destruction posted

    The New Voice of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian units posted video on May 19 showing a Russian 2S34 destroyed by FPV drones, with OSINT geolocation north of Maryinka in Donetsk Oblast.

    Sources: NV Donetsk Hosta Destruction

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The 2S34 Chosta appears in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War record as a Russian-operated 120 mm tracked gun-mortar and as captured Russian equipment in Ukrainian hands. Army Recognition identifies the type as deployed in Ukraine by the Russian army for combat operations, citing a Russian Ministry of Defense video published on February 16, 2023.

Ukrainian and Ukrainian-focused reporting gives later battlefield evidence. Defense Express reported in January 2024 that Ukrainian forces hit a Russian 2S34 Hosta in the Avdiivka direction with FPV drones, while The New Voice of Ukraine reported in May 2024 that another rare Russian 2S34 was destroyed by FPV drones in Donetsk Oblast and geolocated north of Maryinka.

Sources: Army Recognition 2S34 Hosta, Defense Express Avdiivka Hosta, NV Donetsk Hosta Destruction

Captured examples

Captured-equipment evidence places the Chosta in the first months of the full-scale invasion. The National Defence University of Ukraine states that Ukrainian defenders captured a first 2S34 Hosta on March 14, 2022, and a second vehicle in Chernihiv Oblast on April 2, 2022.

Open-license photographs from the Prague exhibition of captured Russian equipment add visual context for the captured-equipment trail. A Wikimedia Commons file dated July 14, 2022 identifies a captured 2S34 Khosta self-propelled mortar displayed in Prague as part of an exhibition of Russian military equipment damaged and captured during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sources: National Defence University 2S34 Hosta, Captured 2S34 Khosta Prague image

Battlefield role

In Russian service, the Chosta filled a mobile fire-support role rather than a high-volume artillery role. Its 120 mm 2A80-1 gun-mortar combined mortar-style high-angle fire with a turreted 2S1-family tracked chassis, and public reporting repeatedly describes the type as rare in Russian inventories.

Defense Express linked the limited number of public battlefield references to the small Russian fleet, citing The Military Balance 2022 estimate of 50 vehicles before the full-scale invasion. The documented conflict trail therefore consists mainly of captured vehicles and individual struck or destroyed systems rather than a broad, regularly reported deployment pattern.

Sources: Defense Express Avdiivka Hosta, Army Recognition 2S34 Hosta

Images

Conflict Context

Captured 2S34 Khosta self-propelled mortar displayed in Prague in July 2022
Captured 2S34 Khosta displayed in Prague during a July 2022 exhibition of Russian equipment captured or damaged in Ukraine.

Sources: Captured 2S34 Khosta Prague image

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Sources