As Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine dig in for a long war, they’re relying more and more on heavy artillery to match Kiev’s army.

Howitzers are nothing new to the conflict, and the drumbeat of artillery explosions has become part of eastern Ukraine’s ambient soundscape.

But within the past few days, the rebels have received a lot more of the big guns—and most likely from Russia.

Videos uploaded to social media showed one convoy near the town of Snizhne—near the Russian border—consisting of nearly 40 unmarked Kamaz military trucks hauling 18 towed artillery pieces. Owing to their size, ballistic shields and wheels, the guns resemble 2A65 Msta-B howitzers.

These 152-millimeter guns are some of the biggest in the Russian inventory, and have more than double the range of the separatists’ 122-millimeter D-30 guns. The Associated Press spotted a similar convoy in Snizhne.

Several of the vehicles resemble support and radio trucks, because of their conspicuous shielded exteriors used to block electromagnetic interference.

The convoy included a single unarmed BTR-80—likely a command or forward observer vehicle for the artillery. This makes the convoy roughly the size of a Russian artillery battalion.

On the same day, monitors from Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe witnessed the same convoy in Makeevka—on the road from Snizhne—headed west toward Donetsk. But the OSCE described the convoy as having smaller 122-millimeter guns, an OSCE spot report noted.

Either way, that’s a lot of guns, and just one of three convoys on the move in Ukraine on Nov. 8. The others included tanks—in a sign of even more heavy weapons pouring into the conflict.

The guns might give the separatists enough firepower to dislodge Ukrainian troops holding the strategic Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev International Airport just outside the city. If the rebels are trying to establish a breakaway state based in Donetsk, they need that airport.

Sunday morning marked some of the heaviest fighting in Ukraine in a month, with the worst centered around the airport, according to the Wall Street Journal. Ukrainian activists are also fearing a major offensive.

And among the 6x6 candidates, Anoa pindad have export license problem, french VAB can get very quickly but it's second-hand stuff

If mrap...can get US ones? Since they have so  many to get rid off. It cheap or even free.

Though the only problem i can think off.. it heavy, potential maintenance headache and makan minyak

Other than those, any issues of us having US used mrap?

UN mission is high-tempo type of deployment, with almost daily patrols, high fuel consumption and high vehicle turnover to maintenance.. not sure they can bear that 

Malaysia soil not realy good for wheels vehicles. Confirm stuck or not least slow down.

Tracked are more resilient.

Thought, i always  wonder we have the  option to get the mordern t90 instead we opt for those poland soviet design tanks. Not that, i say it bad but why take an old design when we was officially offered one of the latest.

At least 6x6 more stable on hilly roads? the 4x4 condor is ady involved in several accident there..
6x6 mrap maybe?

Any love for v-hull recon vehicle? they're practically also mine-resistant and can stand small arms fire also most size like humvee
Iveco lynx looks like ordinary military 4wd but with v-hull

It was also claimed, that how the russian develop their latest rpg to counter mordern aps systen.

Get type 10 mbt habis cerita.

No.. get k2 habis cerita. New gen minus the mtu issues