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Ukrainian Snipers Adapt to Modern Warfare, Longest Confirmed Kill Recorded

Donetsk, Ukraine – The role of the sniper in modern warfare is evolving, demanding not just precision shooting but a mastery of technology and psychological resilience. In Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, snipers are operating across vast distances, utilizing advanced techniques and facing new threats like drones, according to recent reports and interviews with soldiers on the front lines.

The battlefield in eastern Ukraine presents unique challenges. Open steppe terrain stretches for kilometers, requiring snipers to account for variables like wind speed, air density, and even the Earth’s rotation when making a shot. In August 2025, a Ukrainian sniper from the elite “Pryvyd” (Ghost) unit reportedly achieved what Ukrainian officials have described as the longest confirmed combat kill – eliminating two Russian soldiers with a single shot from a staggering 4,000 meters in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad sector of Donetsk.

“Roman,” a sniper with the Second Corps “Khartiia” of the National Guard of Ukraine, Brigade Raid, spoke to NDTV about the realities of his profession. He explained his path to becoming a sniper began with a personal interest in firearms, evolving from recreational shooting with an AR-15 to a focused pursuit of long-range accuracy with a .308 caliber bolt-action rifle.

“I started thinking about buying a bolt-action rifle…because it is one of the most common,” Roman said. “I also began studying how to work with high-magnification optics.”

The full-scale invasion in 2022 solidified his decision to join the fight. A volunteer mission to the front lines in 2015 proved pivotal. “It is one thing to read in the news that Russians have attacked your country…It is completely different when military guides tell you: ‘Here we drive five kilometres at the highest speed possible because there is a Russian mortar battery…,’” he recounted. “At that moment, I realised I did not like the fact that Russians on my land had a better firing position than we did.”

Training for Ukrainian snipers mirrors standard infantry preparation, emphasizing survival skills and unit cohesion before focusing on marksmanship. Roman emphasized the importance of patience and calculated risk assessment. “Patience, first of all. And the ability to calculate your own actions carefully while anticipating the actions of the enemy.”

The psychological toll is also significant. While acknowledging the weight of taking a life, Roman described his hesitation as stemming from technical concerns. “I ask myself whether I calculated the vertical adjustments correctly, and whether the wind near the target is the same as the wind I observe from my position.”

Modern warfare presents new dangers. Roman identified FPV drones and reconnaissance drones guiding enemy artillery as the biggest threats, alongside remotely controlled mines. He noted that reaching and leaving a firing position is often more perilous than the act of shooting itself.

Ukrainian snipers are also benefiting from international collaboration. Roman confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers regularly attend training courses in Europe, and in turn, share their battlefield experience. “We often share our own battlefield experience, explaining what no longer works in modern war,” he said. “For example, our experience with medical evacuation at the front line…and the use of armoured vehicles.”

Roman reported a personal best shot of 1,540 meters. He currently utilizes rifles including the Accuracy International AIXMC, Ruger Precision Rifle in .338 calibre, UAR-10, and UAR-15, paired with optics from Leupold, Archer, and ELCAN Specter.

The terrain in Ukraine, a mix of urban areas and open steppe, dictates effective engagement distances. Training exercises range from 300 to 1,400 meters, with real-world engagements often occurring up to 700 meters due to obstacles and enemy armor.

Despite the dangers, Roman remains focused on the task at hand. When asked what goes through his mind before taking a shot, he replied simply, “I think about how comfortable my position is and whether I calculated the shot adjustments correctly.”

Source: NDTV.