In the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, small arms are playing a critical role in achieving strategic objectives. Among the various Russian small arms, there are a few long-range guns that stand out because of their efficiency. Long-range guns have become essential tools for contemporary armed forces.
In identifying the Russian military’s firearms with the longest range, 24/7 Wall St. examined modern Russian guns listed in the Military Factory, an online archive that catalogs military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. The guns listed are ranked according to their ultimate operative range.
One gun that tops the list is the KBP OSV-96, known as the Vzlomshchik. Engineered with a dual purpose as both a counter-sniping and an anti-materiel rifle, it’s impressive range of approximately 6,500 feet establishes it as one of the Russian military’s longest-reaching rifles.
Along with sniper rifles and anti-materiel rifles, machine guns also rank prominently on this list. The Kord-12.7mm and PKP Pecheneg (6P41) machine guns, for example, boast some of the longest effective ranges on the list. A common thread among many of these weapons is their ammunition. Typically, larger caliber ammunition has the capability to travel a greater distance than smaller caliber ammunition, which explains the extensive ranges of the heavy machine guns leading the list.
While some of the weapons featured have only been put into service in the past decade, others have been operational since the 1960s. Despite this, Russia’s military has continuously utilized these long-range rifles in diverse operations. (Also see, 20 biggest bombs in Russia’s military arsenal.)
Here are the longest-range guns in use by the Russian army today.
22. SR-3 Vikhr (Whirlwind)
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber: 9x39mm subsonic
- Type: Silenced assault rifle
- Year entered service: 1992
21. AS Val
- Maximum effective range: 984 ft.
- Caliber: 9x39mm SP-6
- Type: Silenced assault rifle
- Year entered service: 1987
20. Izhmash AN-94 (Abakan)
- Maximum effective range: 1,212 ft.
- Caliber: 5.45x39mm
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 1994
19. VSS Vintorez
Source: Courtesy of VSS Vintorez via Facebook
- Maximum effective range: 1,312 ft.
- Caliber: 9x39mm SP-5
- Type: Silenced sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 1987
18. Kalashnikov AK-103
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm M43
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 1994
17. Kalashnikov AK-200
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 5.45x39mm M74m 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 2013
16. Kalashnikov AK-74
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 5.45x39mm
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 1978
15. Kalashnikov AKM
Source: UltraONEs / iStock via Getty Images
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm M1943
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 1959
14. Kalashnikov AK-12
Source: aleks0649 / iStock via Getty Images
- Maximum effective range: 2,000 ft.
- Caliber: 5.45x39mm Soviet, 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm NATO
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 2014
13. Kalashnikov SVDM
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x54mmR
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year entered service: 2018
12. Kalashnikov AK-15
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm Soviet
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 2019
11. Kalashnikov AK-19
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year entered service: 2021
10. Kalashnikov RPK-16
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber: 5.45x39mm
- Type: Squad automatic weapon
- Year entered service: 2018
9. Kalashnikov PKM
Source: Dragunov1981 / iStock via Getty Images
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x54mmR Russian
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Year entered service: 1969
8. Accuracy International L96
- Maximum effective range: 3,608 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 1982
7. Dragunov SVD
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
- Maximum effective range: 4,265 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x54mmR Soviet, 9x54mm, 9.3x64mm Brenneke, .308 Winchester
- Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 1963
6. KSVK 12.7 (ASVK)
- Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.
- Caliber: 12.7x108mm
- Type: Anti-material rifle
- Year entered service: 1999
5. ORSIS T-5000
- Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, .408 Cheytac
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 2011
4. PKP Pecheneg (6P41)
- Maximum effective range: 5,000 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x54mmR
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Year entered service: 2001
3. KBP OSV-96
- Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.
- Caliber: 12.7x108mm
- Type: Anti-material rifle
- Year entered service: 1996
2. Kord-12.7mm
- Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.
- Caliber: 12.7x108mm
- Type: Heavy machine gun
- Year entered service: 1998
1. NSV HMG (Utes / Utjos)
- Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.
- Caliber: 12.7x108mm Soviet, 12.7x99mm NATO
- Type: Heavy machine gun
- Year entered service: 1971
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