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Russian Snipers In the Mountains and Cities of Chechnya LESTER W. GRAU CHARLES Q. CUTSHAW During the evolution of modern com- equipped snipers, and their impact on mander—one of the sons of the Tartar bat, the maximum effective range of modern combat is increasing. The Rus- Khan. The Tartar had stayed out of the most weapons has increased dramati- sian military recently demonstrated the 200-pace range, but the Russian heavy cally. Howitzers accurately fire in ex- value and impact of snipers on the con- crossbow of that day could fire out to cess of 28 kilometers, tanks kill out to temporary battlefield. 650 paces (445 meters). four kilometers, helicopter gunship mis- The Russian and Soviet Armies used siles kill out to eight kilometers. The A Quick Bit of History snipers extensively in combat. During maximum range of infantry small arms Sniper is a term of excellence in the World War I, conscripted Siberian engagements, however, has shrunk sig- Russian Army. As in Western Armies, hunters—prized for their field craft, nificantly over the past century. Some snipers are expert marksmen who hunt patience, and accuracy—were selected of the standard infantry rifles of World their prey and have special weapons and for sniper duty. In 1924, the Red Army Wars I and II had sights that ranged out training to conduct long-range killing. founded a series of sniper schools to more than 2,000 yards (1800 meters), across the Soviet Union to teach sport and infantry soldiers trained to engage The Russian and Soviet and combat shooting to civilians and area targets even out to those ranges. military alike. The best shots were sent Armies used snipers exten- But with the adoption of the smaller on to regional, district, and ultimately caliber, higher velocity .223 bullet as sively in combat. During national schools, where the top gradu- the infantry standard for many nations, World War I, conscripted Sibe- ates received “Sniper-Instructor” di- the maximum training—and hence ef- rian hunters—prized for their plomas. The Red Army entered World fective—range of infantry small arms War II with a number of quality snipers. field craft—were selected has dropped off to 300 meters or less. At the start of the war, there were two for sniper duty. Furthermore, while the infantry rifles types of Russian snipers—snipers who of the World Wars were bolt action or were part of the Reserves of the Su- semiautomatic, today’s assault rifles are The sniper tradition goes far back in preme High Command (RVGK) and all capable of automatic fire. The bulk Russian military lore. The Russian pa- snipers who were part of standard infan- of small arms rounds fired in modern tron sniper was a resident of Moscow try units. The RVGK snipers were or- combat suppress rather than kill. Vari- named Adam. On 24 August 1382, ganized into separate brigades—such as ous sources estimate that 20,000 to Tartar Mongol forces surrounded the the RVGK sniper brigade made up of 50,000 rounds are issued for each casu- Kremlin walls but were careful to stay women. Entire platoons, companies, alty produced in modern warfare. out of Russian arrow range (200 paces). and even battalions of RVGK snipers However, there are still riflemen who Adam, a cloth-maker, took his crossbow were assigned to fronts and armies to engage the enemy at 1,000 meters and and climbed up a tower by the Frolov support critical sectors. Snipers were beyond, and who produce a casualty for gate. He took careful aim, fired, and also an important element of TO&E every one or two rounds expended. watched his bolt fatally penetrate the infantry combat power during World These soldiers are specially trained and chain mail armor of a Tartar com- War II, particularly on static battlefields SUMMER 2002 INFANTRY 7 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED 2002 2. REPORT TYPE 00-00-2002 to 00-00-2002 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Russian Snipers In the Mountains and Cities of Chechnya 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION Foreign Military Studies Office,731 McClellan Avenue,Fort REPORT NUMBER Leavenworth,KS,66027 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE Same as 5 unclassified unclassified unclassified Report (SAR) Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 PROFESSIONAL FORUM such as Stalingrad. Divisions began the thus extended to the battlefield where personnel were called snipers, but they war with a squad of TO&E snipers but division commanders lavished scarce were not really used as snipers. In an expanded their numbers with division resources on their snipers in order to earlier time, they would have been sniper schools during the war. By war’s exceed quotas. The average soldiers called skirmishers. The separate sniper end, there were 18 snipers per battalion, were exhorted to follow the example of units of the RVGK maintained the true or two per rifle platoon. the snipers and to kill more fascists us- hunter-snipers. Red Army snipers hunted in pairs, ing fewer resources. The sniper move- In 1952, the Soviet Union closed its one spotting and one firing. Both were ment peaked with the widely circulated national system of sniper schools, al- armed with the Mosin-Nagant tale of the duel to the death between though basic marksmanship continued 1891/1930 sniper rifle that fires a Senior Sergeant Zaitsev and Major to be taught to the citizenry through the 7.62x54mm rimmed round. Although Koenig in the ruins of Stalingrad. Young Pioneers, mandatory grade the rifle’s four-power scope mount also Eventually, Zaitsev was credited with school and high school classes and the allowed the sniper to use the standard 149 kills. The highest scorer was widespread DOSAAF (Voluntary Or- open sights for closer-in shots, both named Zikan, who had 224 kills. Ser- ganization for the Support of the Soviet snipers also carried PPSH 7.62mm geant Passar of the 21st Army had 103 Army, Air Force, and Navy) civilian submachine guns as insurance. The kills while “Noble Sniper” and Political sports clubs. “Sniper training” was spotter used his scoped rifle to back up Commissar Ilin had 185 kills. limited to conscripts in the ground the fire and to fire immediately at the As noted, there was a significant forces, interior forces, and KGB, but target if the firer should miss. growth in the number of Soviet snipers this was really advanced marksmanship The employment of Soviet snipers in deployed in army units between 1943 training. The ground forces continued World War II reflected an earlier peace- to stress the importance of suppressive time propaganda campaign. During the automatic fire (with its consequent Red Army snipers hunted in first five-year plan, Soviet workers who shorter effective ranges). The need for pairs, one spotting and one exceeded their production quotas were longer-range small arms fire was still designated as “shock workers” firing. Both were armed with recognized, and a “sniper” was part of [udarniki] and given special incentives the Mosin-Nagant 1891/1930 every motorized rifle platoon. A spot- and awards. In 1935 Alexis Stakhanov ter, who was one of the platoon’s rifle- sniper rifle that fires a exceeded his quota for digging coal in men, assisted this conscript sniper or 7.62x54mm rimmed round. the Donetz basin by some 1400 percent. skirmisher. The shock worker campaign propagan- After 1963, Soviet snipers began dists latched on to his achievement, and and 1945. The increase in the number training on the new 7.62x54mm Dra- soon the shock workers became known of snipers to 18 per infantry battalion gunov semiautomatic sniper rifle as Stakhanovites. The Stakhanov cam- did not reflect the growing role of snip- (SVD). This 10-shot sniper rifle paign was ill conceived however. ers as much as it reflected the rearma- mounts a four-power PSO-1 scope and Soviet factories were kept in compe- ment of the Red Army. Up to 1943, is calibrated out to 1,300 meters but is tition with one another and the success Soviet infantry was primarily armed not very effective over 800 meters. The of the factory Stakhanovite was impor- with the bolt-action 1891/1930 Mosin- SVD is nowhere near as rugged or as tant to factory managers and their ca- Nagant rifle with iron sights. It was soldier-friendly as the Kalashnikov reers. Therefore, the entire resources of accurate to 400 meters. The scoped family of small arms. Like many West- the factory backed the efforts of the Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle was accurate ern small arms, it requires careful clean- Stakhanovite. As the Stakhanovite ex- to 800 meters. ing and will easily jam when dirt or ceeded his quota, the quotas for all the During the war, the Soviet Union sand gets into the mechanism. Like the rest of the workers were raised. In the replaced the infantry Mosin-Nagant old Mosin-Nagant, the SVD scope is meantime, the resources that were back- rifles with submachine guns. These also mounted so that the firer has the ing the Stakhanovite were unavailable provided excellent suppressive fire but immediate option of using open sights to the average worker, who now had to were seldom accurate beyond 100 me- for a close-in shot. accomplish more with less. This ters when fired on long burst or 200 Up until 1984, sniper (expert marks- uniquely Soviet approach was trans- meters when fired on short burst. Red man) training was conducted at regi- ferred to the war effort in 1942. Red Army assaults depended on the effect of mental level by regimental officers who Army propagandists and political offi- machinegun and sub-machinegun auto- were competent shots. They taught that cers began the “sniper movement.” matic fire suppressing the enemy during the main sniper targets were enemy Snipers were encouraged to participate the advance. Battalion commanders, officers; forward observers; television in a macabre competition by killing however, now lacked the ability to en- cameramen; crews for antitank guided more fascists than the snipers in gage deeper enemy targets. Conse- missiles (ATGMs), recoilless rifles, neighboring divisions. Forty kills net- quently, sniper rifles were issued to machineguns; tank crews from damaged ted a “For Bravery” medal and the title platoon marksmen to give infantry tanks; and low-flying helicopters. “noble sniper.” Socialist competition combat the necessary depth. These Snipers were selected from conscripts 8 INFANTRY SUMMER 2002 who were physically fit, intelligent, GSFG SNIPER RERESHER COURSE armed with Kalashnikov assault ri- had good eyesight and hearing, and fles. The support element usually HOURS quick reactions. Candidates had to Observation and field craft 1 positioned itself some 500 meters be consistent in hitting a 300-meter Sniper team actions in the offense behind the sniper. The sniper would and defense 6 target with iron sights. Sniper candi- fire one or two shots at the Russians Firing on stationary targets 6 dates normally trained to observe a Firing on fleeting targets 7 and then change firing positions. sector 200x1000 meters. Regimental Firing on moving targets 7 Should the Russians fire at the sniper, Firing during limited visibility 6 sniper schools conducted refresher the support element would open fire Practical exercise 3 training every six to eight weeks. In Selecting, preparing, and camouflaging at random to draw fire on itself and the early 1970s, the refresher training a firing position 2 allow the sniper to escape. Map reading, moving along an azimuth, could last for five or six days. These The Russian military had SVD- route and point reconnaissance 2 short refresher courses covered the equipped marksmen but few actual basics and often served as the pri- 24-DAY SNIPER COURSE snipers available for the first Chechen mary sniper course as well. War. They relied on MVD (Ministry HOURS The standards 1974 Group of So- Political instruction 16 of the Interior) and FSB (successor to viet Forces in Germany (GSFG) Observation and field craft 4 the KGB) snipers from their special Sniper team actions in the offense 6 sniper refresher course included the operations units. These snipers were Sniper team actions in the defense 4 following: Firing on stationary targets 23 well trained but used to operating in a Usually such a program produced Firing on fleeting targets 23 city against SWAT-type targets. Firing on moving targets 22 some excellent marksmen but not the They were not well trained in site Firing during limited visibility 16 seasoned, field-wise snipers of the Firing on moving and fleeting targets 17 camouflage, sniping in the moun- World War II sniper battalions. Selecting and preparing field positions, tains, or sniping in the countryside. map reading, and NBC 30 These “snipers” did not have a true They clearly were not trained to snipe sniper mission. Other regiments devel- arms team that would advance rapidly where the other side was conducting oped more extensive sniper training against a conventional defending force. countersniper actions or where artillery programs, such as the 24-day sniper The Russian snipers were not prepared and mortar rounds were falling. course. to hunt in the ruins and to lie in ambush In the summer of 1999, the Russian Such courses as the 24-day course for days on end. The Chechens, on the Army reestablished a true sniper school. were the exception, and most Soviet other hand, knew the territory and had The army conducted an All-Army snipers were really marksmen with a plenty of sniper weapons. shooting competition for officers and fancy, but not particularly effective, The Russian Army left 533 SVD conscripts. The army selected 12 firers weapon. The war in Afghanistan em- sniper rifles behind when they withdrew from the top 52 for its initial sniper phasized the need for well-trained snip- from Chechnya in 1992. Some of the class. The course stressed marksman- ers and exposed the mediocrity of many Chechens and their allies who were ship, field craft, and map reading and regimental sniper schools. In 1984, armed with SVDs deployed as actual ended with a month-long live-fire exer- military sniper schools were consoli- snipers, while others joined three- or cise in Chechnya working in the moun- dated at army level, and in 1987 further four-man fighting cells consisting of an tains around Bamut. The average shot consolidated at military district level. RPG gunner, a machinegunner and an that the Russian snipers were making These usually lasted for a month. Snip- SVD marksman, and perhaps an ammu- was around 400 meters, but the new ers drew some lessons from the war in nition bearer armed with a Kalashnikov sniper school had not solved the army Afghanistan and incorporated field craft assault rifle. These cells were quite sniper problem. Casualties had to be and equipment from that war. For ex- effective as antiarmor hunter-killer replaced. Three of the first graduating ample as a result of the war, snipers teams. The SVD and machinegun fire class of 12 men were killed in action. often used the bipod from an RPK light would pin down supporting infantry Four snipers of the second class were machinegun to steady their SVDs. while the RPG would engage the ar- hospitalized with wounds. Most of the mored vehicle. Often four or five cells snipers were two-year conscripts who The Chechen Wars would work together against a single had, at most, a year’s service remaining The wars in Chechnya emphasized armored vehicle. Once the fighting by the time they were selected and the value of snipers. The Chechens met moved beyond the cities and into the trained. the Russians in urban combat in Grozny mountains, Chechen snipers attempted The first Chechen War ended badly and soon Chechen snipers took a toll on to engage Russian forces at long dis- for the Russians in 1996, and they re- Russian forces. The stationary combat tances—900 to 1,000 meters away, al- turned in 1999 for another effort. The fought from ruined buildings resembled though terrain and vegetation often lim- Russians took a page from the Che- the fighting at Stalingrad. This time, ited their engagement ranges. Away chens’ notebook and began forming however, the Russian “snipers” were at from the cities, a Chechen sniper usu- their own two- or three-man hunter- a disadvantage. They were trained to ally operated as part of a team—the killer detachments. Various combina- fight as part of an attacking combined sniper plus a four-man support element tions of a machinegunner, RPG-7 gun- SUMMER 2002 INFANTRY 9 PROFESSIONAL FORUM ner, SVD marksman, and assault rifle- Boris K. is a senior sergeant who served lethal to 600 meters while the 12.7mm man formed hunter-killer detachments as a sniper for two years while with the (.50 caliber) is effective and lethal out that would move together with other airborne in Afghanistan. He graduated to two kilometers. Recently, the 9mm detachments to combat Chechens. The from airborne sniper school and was (9x39mm cartridge with the 16.2 gram movement of these detachments had to awarded the “Order of the Red Star” subsonic bullet) has become popular. be controlled and coordinated to pro- and the “Medal for Merit in Combat” There is even work on .22 Long Rifle vide mutual support and synchronized for service in Afghanistan. Although he silenced weapons for close work. In- action. worked alone in Afghanistan, he always stead of trying to produce an optimum Aside from the TO&E military snip- works with another professional sniper sniper weapon that will work equally ers who were employed as marksmen, in Chechnya. He has also selected the well on all terrain and various ranges, the war in Chechnya saw the return of personnel of his support group and, the Russians are developing a family of the elite sniper who was part of the depending on the mission, the size of sniper weapons for different terrain and government special reserves and hunted the support group may sometimes ex- situations. Most of the sniper weapons Chechens. These snipers avoid carrying pand to 16. Professional snipers are have silencers. their weapons in public since they do rotated out of combat frequently to keep not want the locals to identify them as them fresh. Western Sniper Issues part of the sniper elite force. The sniper Elite (professional) MVD and FSB Recent Russian experience shows works as part of a team—two snipers snipers are trained at the Water Trans- that the role of the sniper is increasing plus a five-man security element armed port Special Police Detachment facili- on the modern battlefield. With the with Kalashnikov assault rifles. The ties near Moscow. Famed special units increased demand are questions on snipers go into position at night and such as the FSB’s Alfa Detachment and proper training equipment, tactics, force leave at night. They usually are led into structure, and employment. These are the area by scouts who know the area. also concerns in the Western military In the 1999 War, the The snipers select their positions at services. Russians took a page from night but prepare them during the day. The right place for snipers on the Preparation includes digging in, camou- the Chechens’ 1996 notebook contemporary battlefield remains a flaging the position, clearing lanes of and began forming their own topic of debate. In many Western ar- fire, and improving the position. Unlike mies, there are sniper weapons in the two- or three-man hunter-killer World War II, the pair of snipers do not arms room but no TO&E snipers. If a detachments. occupy the same position but are some company or battalion commander wants distance apart where they can see each some snipers at his disposal, he has to other and the ambush area. They set up the MVD’s Vympel detachment also come up with the training funds and some 200 to 300 meters from the am- regularly train here. The school and its send his sniper candidates off to a bush area, while the support group sets graduates get the latest sniper gear to lengthy course. Once the snipers return, up some 200 meters to the rear of the field test, but most stick with the SVD they have to continue training at home snipers and some 500 meters to the side. with a silencer. The professional snip- station. Home station training requires The sniper team will remain in position ers in Chechnya work on the principle additional resources, a separate training for one or two nights. of killing the most dangerous enemy schedule, and a 1,000-meter range. The sniper carries his sniper rifle as first. This is usually an enemy sniper or Older military posts might have 1,000- well as an assault rifle or machine pistol RPO-A flame-thrower gunner. RPG-7 meter ranges, but newer posts have for close-in fighting. He also carries a gunners and machinegunners are usu- much shorter ranges, and what older night-observation device, dry rations, ally next, followed by riflemen. A pro- ranges there are, are often poorly main- hard candy, a flare pistol with a red fessional sniper is usually equipped tained. Once the sniper rotates, a new flare, a grenade, two shelter halves, and with a camouflage (ghillie) suit, a sniper must be trained in his stead. a shovel. Sometimes he also carries a scoped sniper rifle, a machine pistol, Since sniper is not a recognized spe- radio. In the mountains, he carries a ski binoculars, a radio. a multifunctional cialty in many armies, there are no pole to help him climb. He wears a knife, an entrenching tool, a load- promotion advantages for a distin- mask to hide his skin tone. Snipers do carrying combat vest, and a backpack. guished sniper, and promotion usually not intend to be captured. If the support A laser range finder and a periscope are ends his career. The United States Ma- group fails to cover the sniper’s with- also recommended. rine Corps has addressed this problem drawal, the red flare will bring artillery There is a lot of activity in develop- by making snipers part of the reconnais- fire down on his position, and the gre- ing and fielding new Russian sniper sance platoon and creating a scout/ nade will deal with the sniper and his rifles. The impetus for this develop- sniper military occupational specialty attackers simultaneously. ment was the Soviet-Afghan War, and (MOS). Elite snipers are not MVD or FSB the development has continued to the The Soviet/Russian approach was to conscripts but extended-service contract present day. The Russians consider the have a TO&E sniper in each platoon, personnel and company-grade officers. 7.62x54mmR sniper round effective and but he was normally trained locally 10 INFANTRY SUMMER 2002 within the regiment. Sniper shortcom- Russians have consistently designed Regiment, destroyed enemy targets at ings in Afghanistan promoted the need sniper weapons with open sights readily ranges well beyond the capability of the for centralized sniper schools, but qual- usable under the scope. Many Western U.S. assault rifles. The Canadian .50 ity sniper training did not appear until sniper weapons lack this elementary caliber rifles proved quite effective and 1999. Most Soviet and Russian ground- characteristic. Even with open sights, created a demand for .50 caliber rifles gaining units did not need snipers as Russian snipers carry an automatic in the hands of U.S. troops in that re- much as they needed marksmen. The weapon (assault rifle or machine pistol) gion. As the U.S. Army reexamines the prime question is where should snipers as emergency backup. The Russian mission and role of snipers in its infan- be assigned—in battalions or in a cen- penchant for semi-automatic (and try units, the Russian experience, and tral reserve, or both? automatic) weapons extends to sniper the recent Canadian experience, should Sniper tactics are an issue. Many weapons. Only recently have they ex- certainly shape the debate. Western armies deploy a sniper and an plored the inherent accuracy of bolt- observer together. The observer carries action sniper weapons, but the army has Lester W. Grau is a retired Infantry colonel an assault rifle to protect the sniper. yet to buy any. The ideal caliber and and foreign area officer specializing in the The Soviets and Russians tried this ap- characteristics of a sniper rifle continue former Soviet Union. He is now assigned to the Foreign Military Studies Office at Fort proach with their snipers who were or- as a matter of debate in the Russian Leavenworth. He has written several books, ganic to motorized rifle platoons. This Army and others. including The Bear Went Over the Mountain: did not work effectively for them in Western and Russian snipers have Soviet Combat Tactics in Afghanistan; The Other Side of the Mountain: Mujahideen either Afghanistan or Chechnya. The access to the same types of equipment Tactics In the Soviet Afghan War, and most platoon sniper eventually ended up as (laser range finders, binoculars, radios, recently, The Soviet-Afghan War: How a part of a two- or three-man hunter killer and so on). The field periscope, which Superpower Fought and Lost. team that employed the sniper as a was very valuable for Soviet snipers Charlie Q. Cutshaw served as a U.S. Army marksman. Elite (professional) snipers during World War II, disappeared but infantry, ordnance, and military intelligence worked in pairs with a security team quickly reappeared after the initial officer. He is a Vietnam veteran, associate backing them up. Many Western ar- fighting in Grozny, since snipers often editor of Jane’s Infantry Weapons, editor of Jane's Ammunition Handbook, and small- mies use the single sniper with a single need to scout the battlefield without arms editor of International Defense Review. security assistant approach. exposing their heads and hands. He is author of Legends and Reality of the The ideal sniper rifle is another issue. Sniping is once again a hot topic in AK: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the His- tory, Design, and Impact of the Kalashnikov Deer hunters who hunt with a scoped the U.S. Army. During Operation Ana- Family of Weapons and The New World of rifle often miss close-in shots because conda in the mountainous Sharikot val- Russian Small Arms and Ammo. they cannot acquire the animal quickly ley of Afghanistan, Canadian Snipers in the scope, and there are no open from the 3rd Battalion, Princess sights under the scope. The Soviets and Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry SUMMER 2002 INFANTRY 11