A Ukrainian sniper has reportedly taken out a Russian soldier at a distance of 1.68 miles in what is nearly a world record.
The Ukrainian military has claimed that the shot is now the second-longest sniper kill, knocking the kill by British former soldier Craig Harrison out of second place.
The footage shows the moment the Ukrainian sniper reportedly performs the shot from a distance of 2,710 metres (8,891 feet or 1.68 miles).
The images were obtained from the National Guard of Ukraine on Friday, 11th November, along with a statement saying: “With the onset of dusk, snipers of special forces units of the National Guard go hunting. Very quick and accurate work by one of them last night.”
The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Sunday, 13th November, along with a statement saying: “A Ukrainian sniper came very close to the world record for the longest combat sniper shot.
“The occupier was eliminated by a precise shot of our special forces from a distance of 2,710 metres – a distance that now ranks 2nd in the world ranking, confirmed by the command of the Armed Forces.
“We would like to remind [people] that the first place in the world is occupied by a shot from a Canadian sniper at a distance of 3,540 metres [11,614 feet] while performing a task in Iraq. The second place belonged to the British Craig Harrison, at a distance of 2,475 metres [8,120 feet].”
Craig Harrison, formerly a cavalry Corporal in the British Army, held the record – from 2009 to 2017 – for the longest confirmed sniper kill in combat, at a range of 2,475 metres.
In 2017, a sniper from Joint Task Force 2 neutralised an Islamic State target in Iraq at a distance of over 3,540 metres. The kill shot was confirmed with video footage and a statement from Canada’s Armed Forces, saying: “The Canadian Special Operations Command can confirm that a member of Joint Task Force 2 successfully hit a target at 3,540 metres.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 264th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 14th November, Russia had lost about 81,370 personnel, 2,848 tanks, 5,748 armoured combat vehicles, 1,839 artillery units, 393 multiple launch rocket systems, 206 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,509 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,316 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 160 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russian forces destroyed key infrastructure in the southern city of Kherson before they retreated. Zelensky said that Russian troops had “destroyed all the critical infrastructure: communications, water, heat, electricity.”
Zelensky described the humanitarian situation as “severe” due to a lack of water, food and medicine. He also said that Ukrainian forces had removed nearly 2,000 mines, tripwires and unexploded shells that had been left by the retreating Russian forces.
Citizens across Ukraine have hailed the recapture of the southern city, with images of locals welcoming the Ukrainian forces with tears of joy making headlines around the world.
Yaroslav Yanushevych, the Ukrainian Governor of the Kherson region, said that everything was being done to “return normal life” to the region.
Zelensky also accused Russian soldiers of committing war crimes and killing civilians in Kherson. On Sunday, Zelensky said: “Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes.
“Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found. The Russian army left behind the same savagery it did in other regions of the country it entered.”
Ukrainian forces are also assessing what is said to be significant new damage to the Nova Kakhovka dam, which the Russians attempted to blow up when they retreated from Kherson.
It is feared that the dam could flood the area and the city of Kherson if it ruptures. It is currently unclear if its structural integrity is at risk.
Zelensky said that the pro-Russian forces were fighting fiercely in the eastern Donetsk region, saying: “Battles in Donetsk region are just as intense as they have been in previous days.”
He added: “The level of Russian attacks has not declined. And the level of our resilience and courage is at its highest. We will not allow them through our defence.”
