Putin’s forces lack counter-battery radars – UK intelligence

This is stated in a report by the UK’s Ministry of Defence. 

According to UK intelligence, in early July, there was evidence of another destroyed Zoopark system near the 58th Combined Arms Army's area of responsibility.

The Defence Ministry adds that Russia is suffering from a growing shortage of counter-battery radars, especially modern Zoopark-1M. Only a small portion of the deployed Zoopark fleet is likely to remain operational in Ukraine.

In early July 2023, a video was circulated showing the destruction of another Zoopark in the area of Russia’s 58th Combined Arms Army.

After being dismissed from the post of commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation in the Zaporizhzhia direction, Major General Ivan Popov claimed that one of his main complaints was the lack of counter-battery combat.

"Russian ground forces survivability relies on effectively detecting Ukrainian artillery and striking against it, often with its force’s own artillery. A key component of this approach is counter-battery radars, which allow commanders to rapidly locate enemy gun lines," the Defence Ministry tweeted. 

The priority Popov apparently gave to this problem emphasizes the central role of artillery in the war.

• On July 13, Russia suspended the commander of the 58th Army, Ivan Popov, who is fighting in the Zaporizhzhia sector. He claims that it was because of a report on Russia's real problems at the front. He stated that the main problem of the Russian army is the lack of counter-battery warfare, artillery reconnaissance stations, and massive deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery.