Direct proof of use
The 2S9 Nona is documented in both the Donbas phase and the full-scale invasion phase of the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. Armament Research Services listed the 2S9 among self-propelled artillery systems seen in the Ukrainian conflict in 2014, and InformNapalm identified a photographed 2S9 Nona associated with Russian-separatist forces in Donbas, stating that similar vehicles were used around Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
For the full-scale invasion, visually confirmed loss records and battlefield reporting show use on both sides. Oryx lists Russian 120 mm 2S9 Nona vehicles destroyed, damaged, and captured in Ukraine, while its Ukrainian loss list separately records Ukrainian 120 mm 2S9 Nona-SV losses. Defense Express reported in August 2022 that the Ukrainian 79th Air Assault Brigade used captured 2S9 Nona vehicles against Russian forces.
Sources: ARES Pion And 2S9 Conflict Note, InformNapalm Kind Nona Investigation, Oryx Russian Equipment Losses, Oryx Ukrainian Equipment Losses, Defense Express Trophy 2S9
Timeline
Public documentation begins in the 2014-2015 Donbas fighting, where ARES and InformNapalm both placed 2S9 Nona systems in the conflict record. InformNapalm's July 2015 investigation described a photographed 2S9 uploaded in January 2015 and connected similar vehicles to combined Russian-separatist forces around Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
After Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion, 2S9 evidence broadened from earlier OSINT sightings to loss records and dated combat reports. Defense Express reported Ukrainian use of captured 2S9 vehicles in August 2022, Army Recognition reported a Ukrainian GLSDB strike against Russian 2S9 Nona-S mortar carriers in the Zaporizhzhia sector in March 2024, and later reporting documented Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian 2S9 systems in 2024 and 2026.
Sources: ARES Pion And 2S9 Conflict Note, InformNapalm Kind Nona Investigation, Defense Express Trophy 2S9, Army Recognition GLSDB Strike, Defense Express 3rd Assault Brigade Strike, United24 Pokrovsk 2S9 Strike
Russian and Russian-separatist employment
In the early Donbas phase, the 2S9 appeared as part of the wider Soviet and Russian armored-vehicle inventory documented in eastern Ukraine. ARES grouped the type with other self-propelled artillery systems seen in the conflict. InformNapalm's investigation focused on a 2S9 nicknamed 'Kind Nona' and linked photographed vehicles to Russian-separatist formations in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, with social-media traces connected to Russian military personnel and militants.
During the full-scale invasion, Russian 2S9 use is documented most consistently through visually confirmed losses. Oryx lists dozens of Russian 120 mm 2S9 Nona vehicles as destroyed, damaged, or captured. Dated battlefield reporting adds individual incidents: Army Recognition reported a March 26, 2024 strike in the Zaporizhzhia sector against Russian 2S9 Nona-S mortar carriers, Defense Express reported an August 2024 FPV-drone strike by Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade against a Russian 2S9, and United24 reported the February 2026 destruction of a Russian 2S9 concealed in western Pokrovsk.
Sources: ARES Pion And 2S9 Conflict Note, InformNapalm Kind Nona Investigation, Oryx Russian Equipment Losses, Army Recognition GLSDB Strike, Defense Express 3rd Assault Brigade Strike, United24 Pokrovsk 2S9 Strike
Ukrainian use and captured vehicles
Ukrainian use is supported by both loss records and reporting on captured Russian vehicles. Oryx lists Ukrainian 120 mm 2S9 Nona-SV losses during the full-scale invasion, which supports Ukrainian fielding of the type. Defense Express reported on August 1, 2022 that the 79th Air Assault Brigade was actively using captured 2S9 Nona self-propelled artillery guns and described four such trophy vehicles in Ukrainian hands.
The Ukrainian role in the cited public reporting is mobile 120 mm mortar and gun-mortar fire support, including direct battlefield use of captured systems and attacks against Russian 2S9 vehicles. The sources do not establish a complete order of battle or total vehicle count for either side.
Sources: Oryx Ukrainian Equipment Losses, Defense Express Trophy 2S9, Oryx Russian Equipment Losses
