Direct proof of use
DANA-family 152 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers were documented in Ukrainian service during the full-scale phase of the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. Echo24 reported on April 14, 2022 that Czech-supplied DANA howitzers had gone to Ukraine along with RM-70 launchers, citing footage of the heavy equipment and stating that several DANA self-propelled howitzers had been provided to the Ukrainian army in the preceding weeks.
Later reporting identified the modernized DANA M2 variant in Ukrainian combat service. Army Recognition reported on December 8, 2023 that the 56th Separate Motorized Mariupol Brigade had been observed deploying and using Czech-made DANA M2 152 mm self-propelled howitzers, and Ukraine's Ministry of Defence posted March 2024 imagery identifying the same artillery system with the 56th Motorized Brigade.
Sources: Echo24 DANA and RM-70 to Ukraine, Army Recognition DANA M2 Ukraine Combat Operations, Defense of Ukraine DANA-M2 56th Brigade
Narrative
For Ukraine, the DANA filled the role of mobile 152 mm tube artillery on a wheeled Tatra chassis. The early 2022 reports concerned DANA vz.77 systems from Czech sources, while later reports concerned the DANA M2 modernization manufactured by Excalibur Army. The sources support Ukrainian possession, delivery, deployment, and use; they do not establish a single complete inventory across all channels.
The artillery role was conventional fire support rather than a distinct strategic-strike mission. Echo24 framed the systems as heavy artillery needed for the battle in Donbas, and the later DANA M2 reporting described brigade-level combat use by Ukrainian forces. The evidence ties the system to Ukraine's side of the war and to Czech-origin military assistance during the full-scale invasion.
Sources: Echo24 DANA and RM-70 to Ukraine, Army Recognition DANA M2 Ukraine Combat Operations, Defense of Ukraine DANA-M2 56th Brigade
