In early 2025, a Ukrainian information source revealed that Russia had increased production of its 2S43 Malva self-propelled artillery.
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This news was backed by images shared on a military-focused Telegram channel called BTVT.INFO. The photos showed a train moving at least eight of these powerful weapons across the country. This happened in February, and it signaled something important: Russia’s weapons factories are not slowing down, even under heavy international sanctions.
These sanctions, mainly placed by the United States and NATO allies, were meant to weaken Russia’s military industry. But the picture of those Malva howitzers on the train tells a different story. Instead of shrinking, Russia’s artillery output appears to be growing. This raises serious questions about how effective the sanctions really are.
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The 2S43 “Malva” is not a regular piece of equipment. It’s a self-propelled howitzer—a large cannon on wheels. It can move quickly, fire heavy shells over long distances, and then leave the area before the enemy can strike back. This makes it harder to destroy compared to older, slower artillery.
Unlike traditional Russian artillery that uses tracks like tanks, the Malva is built on an 8-wheeled vehicle chassis. This makes it lighter, faster, and easier to move across roads and terrain. Its cannon can shoot explosive shells up to 24.7 kilometers, and rocket-powered ones up to 29 kilometers. It can hold 30 rounds and fire more than seven times per minute. These features give it a major advantage in fast-moving battles.
Development of this system began in the 2010s. A Russian research institute designed it, and a state-run factory began building it. By May 2023, the Malva had passed state trials. The first batch was sent to the army in October. Then, in June 2024, it was used in battle in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where it targeted infrastructure.
By February 2025, Russia was moving more of these systems by train, showing a bigger production scale. This expansion comes during a war where many Russian weapons have been destroyed or damaged. Building more advanced and mobile artillery helps Russia keep up its attacks.
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How Malva Changes the Battlefield
The Malva’s design is different from what most people think of when imagining war machines. Instead of bulky, slow tanks, it’s a lighter, faster vehicle with a powerful gun. Because it uses wheels, not tracks, it doesn’t break down as easily. It also doesn’t need as much time or equipment for repairs. That means it can stay active longer in the field.
In Ukraine, where battles move quickly and artillery exchanges are common, this mobility matters. The Malva can fire and then drive away before Ukrainian forces fire back. This hit-and-run style gives Russia more control during battles.
Statements from Russia’s military industry also highlight this. They describe the Malva as cost-effective, quick to move, and easy to use. All these traits are valuable during war, especially in areas like Donetsk or Kharkiv, where artillery decides who controls the land.
While this system doesn’t outmatch NATO’s high-tech weapons like the American HIMARS or the French Caesar, it has its own strengths. HIMARS, for example, can hit targets up to 80 kilometers away. But it’s expensive and slower to produce. Russia’s Malva may not have the same range, but it can be built faster and in greater numbers.
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This means that even if Western weapons are more accurate or powerful, Russia might overwhelm its enemies simply by having more weapons available. It’s a reminder that quantity can sometimes challenge quality in war.
One reason Russia can keep building these howitzers might be hidden supply routes. Western sanctions aim to block the parts and materials Russia needs. But experts think that Russia may be getting help from other countries—perhaps China, North Korea, or even others. They might be selling parts secretly or through third-party companies. There’s no clear proof, but the continued production of the Malva raises eyebrows.
Russia’s history also helps explain how they’re managing this. Back in Soviet times, the USSR built massive factories to produce large amounts of weapons. They focused on making things quickly and in bulk, even if they weren’t the most advanced. The Malva is a modern example of that strategy—simple but effective.
The cannon it uses isn’t new; it’s the same one found on older systems like the Msta-S. The wheeled platform is the real update. It makes the system cheaper and more mobile, which is exactly what Russia needs right now.
Compared to Western weapons like the French Caesar, which takes over a year to build one unit, Russia’s faster production speed is notable. Images of multiple Malvas moving by train suggest that Russia is trying to make up for its battlefield losses by building faster and cheaper.
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US and NATO on Alert Amid Artillery Surge
So far, the United States has not officially responded to the news of Russia’s Malva increase. But U.S. officials are likely watching closely. Over the past year, the Pentagon has helped Ukraine with advanced systems like HIMARS. These systems help Ukraine hit Russian positions with precision.
However, with Russia now fielding more mobile artillery, the battlefield could become more complicated. If Russia uses the Malva in large numbers, it might put more pressure on Ukraine’s defenses. This could make it harder for Ukrainian forces to hold their ground, especially in places where Russia wants to break through.
Inside the U.S., this development is likely to spark political arguments. Some lawmakers want to send more weapons to Ukraine, while others say the U.S. should stop spending money on foreign wars. The sight of Russia expanding its weapons production might push both sides to speak up more loudly.
Those who support helping Ukraine might say this is exactly why the U.S. needs to send more aid. They could argue that Ukraine can’t win if Russia keeps building more weapons. On the other hand, critics might point to this as proof that sanctions don’t work, and that maybe it’s time to rethink the strategy.
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Either way, the issue touches a nerve in Washington. It brings back memories of the Cold War, when the U.S. and the USSR competed to build the most weapons. Back then, the Soviet Union made huge numbers of tanks, planes, and missiles, while the U.S. focused on high-tech precision.
That same pattern seems to be repeating today. The U.S. has advanced, expensive systems like the M777 howitzer or HIMARS. But Russia is sticking with what it knows—simple designs made in large numbers.
In Ukraine, the Malva has already been used in real combat. Reports from last year say it destroyed bridges in Kharkiv, cutting off Ukrainian supply routes. But it’s not a perfect weapon. It has weaknesses too. For example, its open top and light armor make it easier to damage. Ukrainian forces have already destroyed some of them, including one that was hit by a U.S.-made rocket in July 2024.
This shows that while the Malva is fast and deadly, it’s not unstoppable. Its light weight makes it easy to move, but also easier to break. This trade-off between speed and protection is a constant theme in weapon design.
Still, for everyday readers in America or Europe, the message is clear: Russia is not backing down. Even with sanctions, it continues to build new weapons and send them into the fight. The Malva is just one example of how Russia is adapting and pushing forward.
Its ability to produce and deploy new artillery raises serious concerns. If Russia keeps doing this, the war could drag on longer. It also puts pressure on NATO countries near Russia, like Poland or Estonia, who are watching these developments closely.
In the end, the Malva’s rise is a signal. It shows that Russia’s military industry, despite being under pressure, is still working—and still dangerous. The challenge for the West is figuring out what to do next.
