Kalashnikovs to quadcopter drones – Russian reservists are back in boot camp to master weapon skills

Russian citizens called up from the reserve as part of partial mobilisation have begun intensive combat training in the zone of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.



Footage of the newly-arrived reservists undergoing training as part of platoons and assault groups has been made public by the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The videos show “experienced mentors” from Russia‘s Airborne Forces giving lessons in combat coordination to the military personnel.

Honing skills in fire training with standard weapons – including shooting from Kalashnikov (AK-74) assault rifles, machine guns and RPG-7 hand grenade launchers – as well as storming buildings, installing, detecting and neutralizing explosive devices, tackling radiation, chemical and biological hazards are all part of their extensive drills which are being conducted “day and night”.

In the course of combat coordination, the military personnel will also master the skills in providing first aid to the wounded and conducting…