Direct proof of use
The OTO 76/62 Super Rapid appears in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War through Ukraine's Ada-class corvette program, especially Hetman Ivan Mazepa, the first Turkish-built corvette for the Ukrainian Navy. Naval News reported that July 2024 Ukrainian Navy sea-trial footage showed Hetman Ivan Mazepa fitted with a Leonardo 76 mm Super Rapid gun with a stealth cupola.
Defense Express separately analyzed the same first official Navy footage and identified a 76 mm Leonardo Super Rapid gun in the bow. STM, the main contractor for the Ukrainian Corvette Project, states that Hetman Ivan Mazepa began sea acceptance trials on 29 May 2024 after its October 2022 launch.
Later trial reporting supports use of the ship's artillery systems during state tests. Ukrainian News and RBC-Ukraine, citing Ukrainian Navy Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa, reported in November 2024 that Ivan Mazepa conducted artillery firing and hit air, sea, and ground targets during state trials. SavunmaSanayiST reported that Ukraine's Defence Ministry shared weapons-trial footage and that the 76 mm OTO Melara naval gun and ASELSAN GOKDENIZ close-in weapon system were tested.
Sources: Naval News Ivan Mazepa Sea Trials, Defense Express First Footage, STM Ukrainian Corvette Project, Ukrainian News Artillery Trials, RBC-Ukraine Artillery Trials, SavunmaSanayiST Live Firing Trials
Timeline
The gun's conflict timeline follows the corvette rather than a shore or fleet combat deployment. STM lists the Ukrainian corvette contract as signed on 17 December 2020, steel cutting for Hetman Ivan Mazepa on 28 April 2021, launch on 2 October 2022, and sea acceptance trials from 29 May 2024.
The Office of the President of Ukraine reported in March 2024 that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected Ivan Mazepa in Turkiye, met Ukrainian Navy personnel training to operate and maintain the ship's systems, and noted that transfer of the corvette had been postponed because of Russia's war against Ukraine. Public reporting in July 2024 then identified the 76 mm Super Rapid on the ship during sea trials, and November 2024 reporting described artillery and weapons tests.
Sources: STM Ukrainian Corvette Project, President of Ukraine Corvette Inspection, Naval News Ivan Mazepa Sea Trials, Defense Express First Footage, Ukrainian News Artillery Trials, SavunmaSanayiST Live Firing Trials
Narrative
In this conflict, the Super Rapid's role is best described as naval force regeneration and ship self-defense armament. Ukraine's pre-invasion corvette program continued after the full-scale invasion, but the ship's completion, transfer, crew training, and trials took place in Turkiye while Ukraine's Black Sea operating environment remained shaped by Russia's invasion and maritime blockade conditions.
The available evidence supports the OTO 76/62 Super Rapid being fitted to Hetman Ivan Mazepa, displayed in Ukrainian Navy sea-trial footage, and included in reported weapons trials. It does not establish that the gun fired in combat from Ukrainian waters or from an operational patrol against Russian forces.
The system's documented functions on the corvette are consistent with a modern naval gun mount: surface engagement, air-defense or close-defense support, and shore-target capability as part of the ship's broader weapons fit. The conflict-specific record should therefore be read as fielding and test use by Ukraine during the war, not as confirmed combat employment.
Sources: President of Ukraine Corvette Inspection, Naval News Ivan Mazepa Sea Trials, Defense Express First Footage, Ukrainian News Artillery Trials, SavunmaSanayiST Live Firing Trials
