Russians in Chechnya

[baboon]

Is this an updated Dragunov SVD? Also, why do none of the Russian soldiers in Chechnya wear helmets or even have them near by? Isn't this a bit reckless? This site (Missing Lynx) has great photos of Chechnya 2000 (sounds like a football competition!).
http://www.missing-lynx.com/library/modern/russia/inaction/grozny-72.jpg

[JY]

Hi baboon;

That's the SVDS version with folding stock, his sling is wrapped around the front sight. Still the same weapon but with plastic handguards and the folding stock(looks like he added some kind of recoil boot to butt). It was designed for mech troops with ease of handling in APCs in mind. The scope is the POS-1M2 they eliminated the "luminescent screen" and lever for IR spotlight detection and the charging window(works like the old Meta Scopes).

Helmets are mainly to keep falling "junk" from arty from denting your head. If your enemy doesen't use a lot of arty the helmet is just added pounds. Plus the helmet makes a very easy to ID profile for the Chechen snipers =80

There's a really raw Chechen site with a lot of good info and pics, I'll email it to you at hotmail, a little to raw to post here.Take care...Jim

[baboon]

Thanks Jim. For some reason I can't access my hotmail account(thanks Bill!) so send the link to thejoker@netactive.co.za
Cheers

[baboon]

Shouldn't helmets be properly scrimmed to break up the outline anyway? The only pictures I have seen of this in recent years are the Brits in the Falklands and US Rangers/Airborne in Grenada/Panama. The Chechens defintely have plenty of mortars and rockets.

[Repp]

Hi baboon,

I think the reason why the don't have helmets is, that they sold them all, since the soliders need money...bad time. No kidding!! Berlin is flooded with russian night optics!

Just a theory

[JY]

Hi baboon;

Hehehe! Think Repp may be on to the answer there. Actually think the main reason is the make up of the troops there. A good amount are MVD SpetsNaz, it is "supposed " to be an internal problem, and Interior Army troops. Both consider themselves "elite" and as such tend to wear soft caps, as do the VDV also engaged there. Following that line, any Motorized Rifle troops would probably follow the 'elite" and trash/sell their helmets so not to stand out.

The only time I ever wear a K Pot is when they make me on the range....and then only after much threats and swearing =80 take care baboon...Jim

[This message has been edited by JY (edited 09-06-2000).]

[Snow]

JY:
What, is it standard operating procedure for U.S. military to wear helmets at shooting range?!!?

[JY]

Hi Snow;

Most areas where live fire of weapons or explosives for training is performed the k pot has to be worn. Just another safety regulation to protect us from ourselves =80 hehehe! Their intentions are good. Take care...Jim

[Snow]

We also have to wear helmets while working with explosives or mines and in live firing exercises, but not when shooting bull-eyes at shooting range.
By the way: I recently had uncomfortable experience of closely flying bullets while at civilian rifle range. Some half-blind, senile idiot opened fire at his target while I was pathcing my own. He said that he didn`t saw anyone! Yeah, when the distance was 100 meters and my Sako 308 was left on bench rest(without bolt of course)...

[JY]

Hi Snow;

We do very little firing at bulls eye known distance targets, the K pots are just part of the rules here, guess they do build up your neck muscles so some benefit from wearing them =80

Sounds like you better be wearing your helmet and armor during civilian range time =80 Maybe the old timer needs one of those Swarovski scopes for the blind =80Hehehehe! take care, and stay low while patching those targets =80...Jim

[Repp]

Hi Snow,

you shoot .308 at 100 yards? What happend after that? I know of a case in Germany where a guy lost his "gun -permit" because he RELOADED while someone was up in front!

Stay alive!
Repp

[Fred]

JY,
would it be possible for you to e-mail me the Chechen site address you referred to? I have a piece to write on ethnic conflicts, and one of the cases is Chechnya, but I'm light on references. Thanx

[Snow]

Hi Repp,
I went to zeroing my rifle and the rifle range was empty although there were guys on pistol and shotgun range. There was a small "bird-target" on rifle range but there where no-one or any equipment. I took my four large bull-eye targets, shot, patched, shot again and went again patching. There was a concrete "bunker" and wooden frames, so you attach target on frames in bunker, lift it up and lock it up-position.
So, targets were moving up and down and the fourth frame has problems with going up and I reached up to fix it and my head came up from bunker AND THEN this moran started to shoot at his bird-target few meters away from my head. I ducked, there were five shots and then nothing. I run to the bunker door and see this guy walking to patch his target as nothing was happened. "Oh ,were you in the bunker?" It was a one of the old-timers of shooting club, 60+ years old I think.

I said some rude things to him and when I nowadays go to range, he instantly remember something important to do and hurries away...
It was no point to take it further, because it would be my word against him and his pals at shooting club`s council would never kick him out.

[recce_o]

Jim,

Think you could send me the URL for the Chechnya site as well? I'm doing an MA in War Studies and am going to write a paper on Afghani/Chechnyan/Islamic UW.

Best regards.

[JY]

Hi recce_o and Fred;

Should be in your inbox now, take care...Jim

[Fred]

Thanks Jim