Helion & Company- War in Ukraine

Publication Details:

War in Ukraine, Volume 10, published in September 2025, is a 64-page softcover volume, measuring 8.25 inches by 11.5 inches, written by Wen Jian Chung and published by Helion & Company as part of their Europe@ War Series. The book is printed on glossy paper and features 124 color images, 18 color profiles, 4 b/w photos, 1 color map, 5 diagrams, and 2 tables.

Introduction:

The book explains how the Western-Designed Artillery Systems were brought into service and used in combat, backed up by lots of color photos, diagrams, and helpful captions. Like other books in the series, it strikes a good balance between easy reading and helpful visuals, making it useful for both historians and modelers looking for solid reference material. 

Contents and Organization:

Section 1 - King of Battle: Western Artillery Guns explains why artillery is often called the "King of Battle" and how Western guns earned that title in Ukraine. Their long-range and accuracy allowed Ukrainian forces to hit targets, support troops, and counter enemy artillery before it could respond. The section also touches on how these systems were put into service and used in combat, showing why artillery still plays such a major role on today's battlefield. 

Sections 2 - L119 & M777: Lightweight Champions focuses on why their lighter weight made them especially useful in Ukrainian service. It covers how these guns could be moved and set up quickly, allowing units to stay mobile and reduce the risk of counter-battery fire. The sections also discusses real world use, pointing out both strengths of these systems and adjustments crews made to keep them effective in combat. On page 10 we see a L119 on the front August 2023 ,which undoubtedly would make an excellent diorama.

Section 3 - M109: Long Live Paladin. This section looks at the M109 Paladin and its role as a proven, dependable self-propelled howitzer in Ukrainian service. It highlights the gun's mobility and sustained fire capability, showing how it fits well into modern battlefield conditions. First introduced in the early 1960s, the M109 has been steadily upgraded over the years, with the M109A6 Paladin adding modern fire control, navigation, and improved protection to speed up and improve fire missions. The author also discusses how Ukrainian crews adapted the system for combat use, reinforcing why the M109 remains a relevant and effective artillery platform despite its long service history. For those interested in a plastic model, the AFV Club M109A6 Paladin 1/35th scale is considered the best and most accurate Paladin kit. If a 1/72nd scale is preferred, Revell's M109 is a solid choice.

An interesting image the author incorporates in the book is on page 19 of a M109L during July of 2023 with an Italian-made muzzle brake.

Page 20 features photos of ammunition in the Paladin's breech, providing hand reference for modelers working on the interior.

Section 4: Panzerhaubitze 2000: the Gold Standard. This section explains why the Panzerhaubitze 2000 is widely considered one of the best self-propelled howitzers in service. Developed in Germany in the 1990s and fielded in the early 2000s, it was built for fast, accurate fire with long range and a high rate of fire, supported by advanced automation. In the Ukraine-Russia war, Ukrainian crews used the PzH2 2000 for precise, long-range strikes and quick shoot missions, reinforcing its reputation as a top-tier modern artillery system. The author supports the text with clear color photographs showing the vehicle in service, including images of ammunition being loaded, which help illustrate its operation and battlefield use. 

On page 30, the powerpack of the PzH 2000 is shown.

Section 5: AS90 & Krab: A marriage of convenience. This section examines the AS90 and the Krab, and how both systems were deployed to meet Ukraine's urgent need for artillery. The AS90, a British self-propelled howitzer developed in the 1990's, and the Krab, a Polish 155 mm self-propelled gun developed in the 2000s, differed  in origin and design but served similar roles on the battlefield. Both provided mobile, armored fire support, and the author shows how each was adapted for combat use. The section makes it clear that, under wartime conditions, availability and practicality mattered more than share design when equipping Ukrainian units.
On page 37, the author includes a side view of the AS90 and a close-up view of the tracks.

Six pages of color photos follow, showing a range of artillery systems, including examples with camouflage schemes and Ukrainian markings. 

Section 6: CAESAR: Way of the future: The author in this section explains why the CAESAR (French - Camion Equipe D'un Systeme D'Artillerie, roughly translated to "Truck Equipped with an Artillery System") system points to the future of modern artillery. As a wheeled, truck-mounted gun, it offers speed and mobility that heavier tracked systems cannot always match. The author shows how its ability to move quickly, fire accurately, and relocate fast fits well with today's battlefield, especially when counterfire is a constant threat. Its use in Ukraine highlights how lighter, more mobile artillery can still deliver effective fire support while staying harder to target.
On page 46, the author includes 3 images. One is an exploded view from the Ukrainian CAESAR manual, and below that are two images of the CAESAR in two configurations. 

Section 7: The Dana Family: Warsaw Pact to NATO: This last section looks at the DANA (short for Délo Automobilni Nabijené Automaticky - Automatically Loaded Gun on a Vehicle) family of wheeled self-propelled howitzers and show how they made the jump from Cold War Warsaw Pact service into modern NATO style use.  The author explains how these older designs were updated and adapted for current Ukrainian service.

On page 51 the author includes a photo of a Dana M2 with its redesigned front cab and large bulletproof  windows.

Other images included by the author such as the projectiles described in the book are seen on page 57. 

Conclusion:

Even though the book is short in pages, it provides a solid overview of the artillery systems defining Ukraine's modern battlefield. The included maps and full-color images of the vehicles and artillery systems add to the books'' value. The photos give modelers plenty of clear images to use as references.

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Casemate Publishing for this review book.

Reviewed by Phillip Cavender

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