Shilka

Shilka may refer to several things in Russia and military equipment, most notably a river and a Soviet-era anti-aircraft weapon system.

Shilka River: The Shilka is a river in the Russian Far East, flowing through the Transbaikal region (Zabaykalsky Krai) and part of the Amur river basin. It runs generally northeast and contributes to the hydrology of the Amur system. The river’s name has been used for nearby geography and settlements in the region, and it is a reference point for the area’s geographic identity.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka: The ZSU-23-4, commonly known by the NATO reporting name “Shilka,” is a Soviet self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system developed in the 1950s and entering service in the 1960s. It combines four 23 mm autocannons mounted in a stabilized turret on a tracked chassis, with an integrated fire-control radar to detect, track, and engage aircraft. Its mobility and high rate of fire made it a widely deployed air defense system for several decades. Numerous export variants and upgrades appeared over the years, including modernized versions designated as ZSU-23-4M and ZSU-23-4M4.

In summary, Shilka most commonly denotes a river in eastern Russia and a famous Soviet-era anti-aircraft weapon system named after that river. The term can also appear in regional toponyms within the same geographic area.