Pro-Putin journalist accidentally reveals position of Russian mega mortar.. and Ukraine blows it up

A Kremlin journalist accidentally gave away the position of a Russian supersized mortar in a report from the Donbas, and Ukraine duly blew it up a day later, dramatic drone footage shows.

Aleksandr Kots was proudly showing off the 2S4 Tyulpan 240mm self-propelled heavy mortar in a propaganda report in Severodonetsk after it was moved from Mariupol.

The weapon is the largest calibre mortar system in service, firing huge 288-pound F864 shells to a range of six miles.

A Russian 2S4 blows up in a huge fireball after it was struck by Ukrainian forces in the Donbas region

Aleksandr Kots  (pictured)was proudly showing off the 2S4 Tyulpan 240mm self-propelled heavy mortar in a propaganda report

See also  Stark before and after pictures highlight scale of devastation from 7.8-magnitude tremor in Turkey

The weapon is the largest calibre mortar system in service, firing huge 288-pound F864 shells to a range of six miles

Kots’ report in Rubizhne showed several angles of the giant mortar, which can also fire Smel’chak laser-guided rounds, 3B11 nuclear shells, and 308 rocket-assisted cargo shells, in his report showing off the weapon to Russians back home.

But less than 24 hours after his footage was aired, the mortar was blown to pieces by Ukrainian forces, who gleefully shared footage of their scalp.

The 2S4 is seen in a huge fireball as its ammunition detonates in another huge blow to Putin’s botched war effort.

It is the first confirmed loss of an 2S4 by Russia during the savage invasion, although the Kremlin reportedly has as many as 400 inactive mortar systems in reserve.

Kots’ report in Rubizhne showed several angles of the giant mortar, which can also fire Smel’chak laser-guided rounds

Less than 24 hours after his footage was aired, the mortar was blown to pieces by Ukrainian forces, who gleefully shared footage of their scalp

The 2S4 is seen in a huge fireball as its ammunition detonates in another huge blow to Putin’s botched war effort

The weapon systems are designed to destroy large buildings and heavy fortifications and was developed during the Cold War.

There are only around 50 left in operational service, 12 per district-level High Power Artillery Brigade, according to Forbes. 

The weapons fire only one round a minute and can be both towed and self-propelled.

In Ukraine, they have been used to destroy airport terminals in Donetsk and Luhansk, and have also been used in Syria, Lebanon and Chechnya.

It is the first confirmed loss of an 2S4 by Russia during the savage invasion, although the Kremlin reportedly has as many as 400 inactive mortar systems in reserve

The weapon systems are designed to destroy large buildings and heavy fortifications and was developed during the Cold War (file image)

Kots (pictured) has been described as one of Putin’s most ‘valuable assets’ and is regularly deployed as a war correspondent to spread propaganda to the Russian masses

Earlier this month, the 2S4 was seen firing at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol where surrounded Ukrainian soldiers had been holed up. 

The mortar destroyed by Ukraine is believed to have previously destroyed a bridge between Lyschansk and Severodonetsk.

Kots has been described as one of Putin’s most ‘valuable assets’ and is regularly deployed as a war correspondent to spread propaganda to the Russian masses.

In 2014, Putin even gave him an Order of Merit for the Fatherland medal for his ‘objectivity in reporting on events in Crimea.