We Acquired Blueprints for Russia’s Next-Gen Artillery System

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Through one of our contacts in Russia, we have managed to acquire a packet of Russian Ministry of Defence documents smuggled out of Moscow. The packet pertains to a new weapons system that is about to be deployed to the battlefield, one that will catapult Russia forward in its artillery capabilities. To understand what this system is capable of and how much of a game-changer it is likely to be for the Russian forces, we brought on two key experts to dissect the documents and blueprints.

LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM HERE

EPISODE SUMMARY:

PART I: Analysing the Documents - (00:00)

with Mark Galeotti

- Snr Associate Fellowat RUSI

- Exec Dir. of Mayak Intelligence - Host of "In Moscow's Shadow's" podcast and Eric Gomez

- Expert on Missiles and Nuclear Weapons

- Author of "Americas Nuclear Crossroads: A Forward-Looking Anthology"

Russian Intelligence Leak Reveals New Weapon Platform: An MoD-affiliated Russian intelligence officer defected to Georgia, delivering blueprints of a new artillery system developed near Kapustin Yar. This leak provides insight into Russia’s post-2022 defence R&D efforts, revealing a system that has completed testing and is allegedly nearing operational deployment. Its emergence suggests a broader Russian shift towards low-cost, adaptable, and survivable battlefield systems.
Weapon Specifications Indicate a Semi-Mobile Artillery System: The system in question is a crew-served, semi-mobile artillery launcher approximately 15 metres in length and height, with a rectangular wheeled chassis and a 12-metre launch assembly. Operated by a six-person crew, it is designed for mobility and rapid redeployment. This suggests emphasis on decentralised firepower with minimal logistical footprint.
Combat Effectiveness Verified in Operational Reports: After-action reports suggest the system was already used effectively against Ukrainian fortifications, breaching hardened positions and enabling follow-on assaults. These trials validate its tactical viability in complex environments like urban Kyiv. The reports confirm the system’s capacity to neutralise static defences swiftly, enhancing Russian breakthrough potential.
Design Prioritises Modularity, Stealth, and Scalability: The system is lightweight, modular, and economically scalable, described as significantly cheaper than Western counterparts such as HIMARS. It exhibits minimal electromagnetic and thermal emissions, making it difficult to detect using conventional ISR platforms. This positions the system as a stealth artillery capability, an unusual but potentially disruptive advancement.
Western ISR and EW Vulnerabilities Exposed: Experts note that current NATO ISR assets lack the means to reliably detect or jam the platform. The weapon reportedly resists EW interference and spoofing, suggesting deliberate design to bypass Western technological overmatch. This challenges prevailing ISR doctrines and raises concerns over situational awareness degradation in contested environments.
Legacy Calibre Munitions and Foreign Supply Chains: The platform fires legacy-calibre projectiles that had been out of Russian service for years. Documentation suggests Russia is sourcing these from ESTONEIA and IROCK, with speculation that these are interim suppliers while domestic production is restored. This implies logistical redundancy and strategic foresight in munitions planning.
Use of Wood in Construction Offers Logistical Advantages: Unusually, the mainframe is primarily constructed from wood, significantly reducing costs, emissions, and detectability. This material choice facilitates in-theatre assembly from locally available resources, undermining Ukrainian interdiction strategies targeting Russian supply lines. It represents a low-tech solution with high operational payoff.
Exploitation of Treaty Loopholes and Delivery Range: The weapon’s stated range of 32,000 cm (~320 metres) implies broader concerns about exploiting arms control grey zones. Experts suggest that such systems, if adapted for nuclear or biological payloads, fall outside existing international treaties. The strategic ambiguity poses escalation and proliferation risks.
Potential for Dual-Use and Strategic Subterfuge: Our analysts warn the system could be repurposed for WMD delivery, with its stealth and unjammed characteristics enhancing first-strike plausibility.
Revealed as a Satirical Piece on Weaponisation Trends: Ultimately, Mark reveals the name of the system to be “Trebuchet”, revealing the entire episdoe to be a parody of both Russian weapon development and Western analytical overreach. The episode turns out to be an April Fools prank.