"Hitting the target with the first shot": how is the combat training of Russian snipers

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation published footage of combat training of snipers of the Novorossiysk airborne division in the rear area of the southern sector of the SVO. Military personnel practice firing from a 12.7-mm large-caliber sniper rifle ASVK.

"Sniper and Spotter (sniper couple. – RT) choose a convenient position and are made to shoot. This time, the target for them is a captured Ukrainian BRDM, inside of which targets are installed that simulate the enemy's manpower, "the military department said in a statement.

The spotter must take into account the factors affecting the accuracy of the partner's shooting. First of all, this is the direction of the wind and the distance to the target. The first shot from a distance of more than 1200 m hit a target imitating the driver-mechanic of the BRDM. It is noted that the 12.7-mm cartridge from the ASVK rifle easily penetrated the armor of the captured vehicle of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Next, the sniper pair quickly changes the firing position and continues to conduct targeted fire. Snipers of the reconnaissance unit of novorossiysk paratroopers from the first day take part in a special military operation, on their account several dozen destroyed Ukrainian nationalists, "the military department of the Russian Federation said.

Under the guidance of instructors

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense reported on the training of snipers from among the mobilized, volunteers and fighters of the airborne troops. Military personnel learn the skills of stealth movement on the battlefield, camouflage of positions, reconnaissance, determining the distance to targets and aimed fire for hundreds of meters.

Also, military specialists teach snipers the use of various observation devices, aiming techniques, the choice of false positions, shooting from an uncomfortable position and in the dark.

• Preparation of sniper crews

"Classes are conducted under the guidance of experienced instructors, including participants in a special military operation. The main emphasis is on training military personnel in the techniques of hitting a target from the first shot at long and medium ranges, "the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports.

According to the materials of the department, snipers are trained for actions as part of assault and reconnaissance units.

In the autumn of last year, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation spoke about the successful liquidation of the Ukrainian DRG by scouts of the combined arms association of the Central Military District. The Russian unit found out the location of the enemy detachment and attacked it, destroying up to six militants.

"A combined group of motorized riflemen was quickly sent to the enemy's deployment point with the fire support of sniper pairs from the reconnaissance unit. Snipers, using the terrain, fired from hidden firing positions, using silent VSS rifles," the ministry said.

In a comment to RT, the columnist of the magazine "Ognevoy Rubezh" Alexander Butyrin noted that snipers are widely involved in the SVO zone. Marksman accurate shooting act both separately and as part of units in defense and offense.

"In recent months, we have seen the so-called trench warfare. Now the main task of the sniper is to control a certain sector to prevent the breakthrough of the DRG and any passage of the defense line of infantry and lightly armored vehicles," Butyrin said.

A somewhat different point of view is held by military expert Maxim Popenker. From his point of view, in the SVO zone, snipers are more in demand when performing reconnaissance tasks.

"As before, snipers work on a separately moving enemy at a distance inaccessible to the fire of machine guns and machine guns. But along with this, a sniper is also a good observer, a spotter capable of directing an attack drone and artillery, "Popenker said in a conversation with RT.

"Help on the frontline"

According to experts, all samples of Russian sniper weapons showed themselves well in the SVO zone. According to open data, in the special operation, the fighters of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation use a variety of rifles: from the Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD) to new generation samples.

"Snipers quite often participate in hostilities in the SVO zone. As far as I can tell, they mostly use SVD and there is still good feedback about it, although, in my opinion, the Dragunov rifle should be gradually replaced with a microwave - the Chukavin sniper rifle, "says Butyrin.

• Sniper of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation with a modernized SVD
• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Currently, the Russian army is armed with both SVD released in Soviet times, and modernized samples of this weapon, capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 1500 m.

In particular, the SVDM rifle is distinguished by reliable gas-discharge automatics, has a weighted barrel with an effective flame arrester, which helps to increase the level of stability and accuracy of the battle.

"Optical and night sights are mounted on the Picatinny rail on the receiver cover and on the side bar. Also, the SVDM has backup mechanical sights and a mount for a folding bipod in the front of the forearm, "the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports.

Of the large-caliber models, the army is armed with several modifications of the ASVK. So, the modernized version of ASVK-M became part of the equipment "Ratnik".

It is a non-automatic weapon of the magazine scheme. The rifle has a so-called free-floating barrel, installed in such a way that along the entire length it does not come into contact with other parts of the weapon.

ASVK-M is distinguished by a lower weight, an increased barrel resource (brought to 4.5 thousand shots), the ability to adjust the descent force and install various optical and night sights.

In addition, the rifle received an effective muzzle brake-compensator of active-reactive action, which reduces the recoil force by 2.5 times and masks the flash of fire when fired at night.

"A powerful cartridge of 12.7 mm caliber (ASVK-M. - RT) allows the sniper to hit targets at a range of up to 2 thousand meters, while remaining out of range of the aimed fire of conventional small arms, "the military department notes.

• Sniper of the volunteer assault squad "Storm"
• © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

According to Butyrin, rifles with a silencer are often used in the SVO zone. Handling such weapons is part of the training course for snipers before they are sent to the line of combat contact, which can be seen in the footage of the Ministry of Defense, he says.

"Silencers are installed on various types of rifles, including SVD and large-caliber samples. They allow you to mask the actions of snipers, and the Vintorez VSS with standard silencers is also used, "butyrin said.

According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Vintorez rifle is equipped with day and night optics, armor-piercing cartridges and an integrated device for stealth shooting.

It is distinguished from other rifles by a small mass - 3.41 kg with a loaded magazine and a PSO-1 optical sight. The firing range of this weapon is 300-400 m, the magazine capacity is ten rounds.

"(BCC. - RT) is designed to hit targets with sniper fire in conditions requiring silent and flameless shooting. At ranges up to 400 m, the defeat of manpower protected by body armor of the first and second levels of protection, as well as being in unarmored equipment, is ensured, "the materials of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation say.

Unique rifles of the Russian private company Lobaev Arms are also used in the special operation. In September, the company reported that dozens of "high-priority targets" had been destroyed from SVLK-14S Sumrak. Russian fighters also use the TSVL-8 M1 "Stalingrad" and the DXL-5 "Devastator".

In October, the founder of the company Vladislav Lobaev in an interview with RIA Novosti said that the volume of production of rifles during the SVO period increased several times. Work at the enterprise goes in three shifts.

"At the top we always have rifles of caliber .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6 × 70 mm. - RT), and the "Cheytak" caliber (Cheytac. — RT), we are steadily buying two such rifles - "Sumrak" and "Sevastopol", - said Lobaev.

Butyrin believes that there should be more such weapons on the front line.

"Ideally, a large state contract is needed for their supply, so that the company can adapt its capacities for the mass production of rifles. After all, they are excellent examples of sniper weapons of a new generation, which was proved during the SVO," Butyrin concluded.