Viral Video Shows Russian Anti-Drone Drill Go Wrong As Soldier Is Flung From Machine Gun
A viral video purportedly shows a Russian anti-drone training exercise ending in a dangerous mishap after a soldier was thrown from a mounted Yak-B 12.7 mm rotary machine gun when it spun out of control. Another soldier narrowly avoided the gunfire before regaining control. The footage remains unverified, and Russian authorities have not commented on the reported incident.
A video purportedly showing a Russian anti-drone training exercise has gone viral on social media after a soldier was thrown from a mounted heavy machine gun when the weapon reportedly spun out of control. The footage, which has not been independently verified, is said to feature one of Russia's newly formed "mobile fire units" tasked with countering Ukrainian drone attacks targeting military logistics and supply routes in Russian-occupied territory and the Crimean Peninsula.
The incident reportedly occurred during a training exercise in which Russian troops mounted a Yak-B 12.7 mm rotary machine gun, typically installed on Mi-24 attack helicopters, onto the back of a military truck for use in an anti-drone role. Neither the exact location nor the date of the exercise has been confirmed, and Russian authorities have not publicly commented on the video.
Russian Soldier Thrown Off Mounted Yak-B Gun During Anti-Drone Exercise
Russia Soldier Flung as Weapon Spins Out of Control
According to the footage, the soldier operating the Yak-B machine gun appears to have failed to account for the weapon's torque. Moments after opening fire, he is violently thrown from his position as the rotary gun spins uncontrollably while continuing to fire in multiple directions.
Another soldier standing inside the truck narrowly avoids being struck by the gunfire after ducking for cover. He is then seen attempting to regain control of the weapon before eventually bringing it to a stop.
Sharing the video, Breaking 911 wrote on X, "INSANE FOOTAGE: Russian troops mounted a YakB-12.7 helicopter machine gun on a fixed stand for training, but the exercise quickly went wrong."
Russia Expands Anti-Drone Measures
The video has been widely circulated by several military bloggers and social media accounts amid increasing reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure and supply routes.
In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up efforts to counter drone strikes reaching deep into Russian-occupied territory and affecting military logistics, particularly routes connected to the Crimean Peninsula.
As part of that response, the Russian military has established "mobile fire units" designed to intercept medium-range Ukrainian drones before they can strike moving targets such as trucks, tankers and other military vehicles.
The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, and no official Russian statement has been issued regarding the reported incident. The circumstances surrounding the training exercise, including when and where it took place, remain unclear.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2026 03:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).