Russian artillery: from the Petrine gunners to the Iskander

The artillery of Russia has been the main firepower of the country for more than six centuries. The first guns at Dmitriy Donskoi were overseas, but already in the 15th century, domestic guns were manufactured. Aristotle Fioraventi , a famous caster and architect, was involved in organizing this defense enterprise (the so-called "gun hut").

Russian masters learned a lot from foreign specialists, and then surpassed them. The guns of that time, in addition to their fighting qualities, were often real works of art, they were cast by real artists, such as the legendary master Chokhov.

Regular Russian artillery, like many other kinds of troops, was established by Peter the Great. The autocrat commanded the bombardier company of the Preobrazhensky regiment for 11 years, his efforts contributed to the training and organization of gunners, as manifested in many brilliant victories of Russian arms.

During the Second World War Soviet artillery was the most powerful in the world.

As the development of reactive technologies arose the opinion that guns as a means of hitting the enemy's manpower and equipment are obsolete. After the Korean War , large-scale deployments of large artillery units were not observed for a long time, but time has shown that their role is undeservedly understated.

Modern Russian artillery is organizationally integrated with missile forces. The function of the RViA is to destroy point and area targets at small and medium distances with the help of conventional ammunition and special charges.

The experience of military operations in Afghanistan and Chechnya showed that aviation, in spite of its advantages, as a rule, performs only a third of the tasks for the remote destruction of targets, the rest of the work falls to artillery. Regardless of the meteorological conditions and time of day, the cannons can produce accurate firing. It is also important that the cost of an artillery shot is incomparably lower than the launch of a rocket.

Accuracy of the fire is provided by the guidance ASU, which in modern form provides a fully automated topographic binding and navigation orientation. The use of computer technology significantly reduces the consumption of ammunition and increases the effectiveness of combat use of firearms.

Russian rocket artillery began its history with the Guards mortar Katyusha, which proved its crushing power during the Great Patriotic War.

The operational-tactical complexes "Iskander", which are in service today, are able to hit targets of small size, protected by electronic countermeasures. Their range exceeds 280 kilometers.

Russian artillery is divided according to its functional purpose and technical base into cannon, howitzer, anti-tank, mortar, including support, control and reconnaissance units. It also includes anti-tank missile systems, large-caliber reactive installations, tactical missiles of small and medium range.

The organizational structure for organizing the Russian Artillery provides for the division of command functions between land headquarters, coastal RVMA, airborne troops, border guards (mainly mortar units) and internal troops.

Personnel for Russian artillery are trained by nine military special educational institutions throughout the country, including the cadet corps.