Wow. Do we have dedicated trucks like that to drop smoke on that level?
I have never seen anything like that. And it shuts down all drones and infrared guided missiles. That is amazing.
We are big on the smoke capabilities.
Here is a hint that smoke units go way back.
388TH CHEMICAL COMPANY
Constituted 13 October 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 168th Chemical Smoke Generator Company and activated at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts
Inactivated 10 April 1946 at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland
Redesignated 20 December 1948 as the 388th Chemical Smoke Generator Company and allotted to the Organized Reserve Corps
Yes
We have the capability to generate big smoke screens. We had/have wheeled and tracked smoke generating dedicated systems. We can also deliver smoke via tube artillery and mortars. I am unsure about rocket artillery.
It makes sense to use in the offense since it allows you to close with the enemy by minimizing the distance at which you can be observed, tracked, engaged... Anything where the distance of observation is reduced visually/acoustically favors the offense, even natural fog, rain (assuming it doesn’t restrict mobility), etc. That’s basic knowledge sort of stuff.
I doubt this is something new for the Russians. As stated it’s basic knowledge that every SGT and LT should know. But, it’s something that you can now make a video and wow an audience with.
The Russian lucked out, re Avdiivka - a weather overcast frustrated Ukraine drones and Ukraine anti-air response.
So Russian aircraft were more able to deliver ordnance.
Now, Russia supplies the overcast.