Kitolov-2M is a Russian 122 mm semi-active laser-guided artillery projectile in the Kitolov family, marketed by Kalashnikov Group and linked in open reporting to KBP's precision-guided artillery line. It is intended for 122 mm towed and self-propelled artillery such as the D-30 and 2S1 Gvozdika, with Russian state and industry sources tying the round to use and expanded production during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Russian state and industry reporting describes 120 and 122 mm Kitolov guided-projectile complexes, including Kitolov-2M by designation, as used by Russian forces during the war; Ukrainian reporting notes that publicly documented combat imagery has remained limited.
Role detailsKitolov-2M belongs to the Russian semi-active laser-guided artillery projectile family: a forward observer, ground designator, or suitably equipped UAV must illuminate the target so the projectile can home on reflected laser energy during the terminal phase.
| Element | System context | Operational implication |
|---|---|---|
| Projectile | 122 mm Kitolov-2M round | Provides precision fire from compatible 122 mm artillery when target illumination is available. |
| Laser designation | Malakhit-type designator or UAV-aided illumination described in Russian guided-artillery reporting | Requires line-of-sight target marking, which makes the sensor/designator chain as important as the shell itself. |
| Adjacent family |  | The 120 mm family member supports the same broader Russian guided-projectile lineage for gun-mortar systems. |
The Kitolov family covers smaller-caliber laser-guided artillery and mortar projectiles derived from the same Russian precision-artillery design lineage.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| 120 mm family member for gun-mortar systems | Open references distinguish the 120 mm Kitolov-2 from the 122 mm Kitolov-2M, while treating both as related Kitolov guided-projectile family members. Sources: Topwar Kitolov-2 and Kitolov-2M, Russian army increases stocks of Krasnopol guided artillery shells |
Open reporting ties Kitolov-2M to 122 mm artillery systems and separately to the 2S40 Floks as a reported firing platform.
| Firing weapon | Weapon type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 122 mm towed howitzer | Kalashnikov describes Kitolov-2M for 122 mm towed artillery, while UNITED24 Media and Militarnyi identify the D-30 as one of the 122 mm systems associated with the round. Sources: Kitolov-2M Guided Artillery Shell - Kalashnikov Group, Russia Expands Production of Laser-Guided Kitolov Shells, Russians claim to have increased production of Kitolov laser-guided shells that have not even been spotted at the front |
 | 122 mm self-propelled howitzer | Kalashnikov describes Kitolov-2M for 122 mm self-propelled artillery, and Ukrainian reporting identifies 2S1 Gvozdika systems among the platforms associated with the round. Sources: Kitolov-2M Guided Artillery Shell - Kalashnikov Group, Russia Expands Production of Laser-Guided Kitolov Shells, Russians claim to have increased production of Kitolov laser-guided shells that have not even been spotted at the front |
 | 120 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer/mortar | Defense Express and Army Recognition both identify the 2S40 Floks as able to fire Kitolov-2M guided munitions, with Army Recognition reporting about 10 km range for that combination. Sources: New Russian 2S40 Floks Howitzer Just Delivered, Next Day First One Gets Hit in Ukraine, Imminent Deployment of Russia's New Phlox 120mm Self-Propelled Mortar Carrier in Ukraine |
Army Recognition describes the 120 and 122 mm Kitolov-2 laser-guided systems as augmenting the Krasnopol guided-artillery family from 2002.
A TASS article republished by VPK.name states that 120 and 122 mm Kitolov complexes are used in Russia's special military operation and are being improved from that experience.
Rostec reported that Kalashnikov completed December 2024 high-precision-weapons contracts including Kitolov-2M projectiles and said output of products used in the war zone had increased several times.
UNITED24 Media reported Kalashnikov statements that new production lines and machines were being used to raise Kitolov-2M output in 2025.
