Video: Russian recruit's grenade launcher misfires straight at his own feet
A video circulating on Ukrainian Telegram channels shows a Russian army recruit at a training range accidentally firing an anti-tank grenade launcher round right next to his own feet. The round did not detonate, though the incident could have ended tragically.
A video spreading across social media, including Ukrainian Telegram channels, shows footage reportedly filmed at a Russian army training range. It captures a young recruit attempting to prepare a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher for firing but failing to steady it properly on his shoulder.
As the weapon slips from his hands, a shot goes off — the rocket travels only a short distance before slamming into the ground right next to the soldier's feet, throwing up a cloud of dust.
Round failed to detonate
Fortunately for the inexperienced shooter, the projectile did not explode. Weapons of this type typically have a built-in safety mechanism that prevents the rocket from detonating immediately after firing, requiring it to travel a set distance first. That mechanism likely prevented more serious consequences.
Both the shooter and the person filming appeared visibly shaken by the near-miss and quickly left the scene. In the recording, another man's voice can be heard off-camera, cursing loudly in Russian at the bewildered recruit, who in the meantime hurriedly adjusts his helmet.
The exact time and location of the incident remain unknown.
Not the first such mishap
This is not the first time footage of Russian army recruits' training mistakes has surfaced online. Shortly before this incident, another video drew attention showing a soldier unable to control a machine gun's recoil, causing him to fall off a firing platform.
