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{{unreferenced|date=November 2006}}
{{unreferenced|date=November 2006}}


'''Soviet snipers''', also referred to as '''Russian snipers''', played an important role during [[World War II]] (known as [[Great Patriotic War]] in the [[Soviet Union]], in [[Russia]], and in some other [[post-Soviet states]]). It is estimated that these [[sniper]]s killed or wounded over 40,000 [[Germany|German]] [[soldier]]s during the [[war]].
'''Soviet snipers''' played an important role during [[World War II]] (known as [[Great Patriotic War]] in the [[Soviet Union]], in [[Russia]], and in some other [[post-Soviet states]]). It is estimated that these [[sniper]]s killed or wounded over 40,000 [[Germany|German]] [[soldier]]s during the [[war]].


==Doctrine==
==Doctrine==
[[Soviet Union|Soviet]], [[Russia]]n, and derived military doctrines include [[Military unit|squad]]-level snipers, which may be called "sharpshooters" or "[[Designated marksman]]" in other doctrines (see the "[[Sniper]]" article). They do so because the long-range engagement ability was lost to ordinary troops when [[assault rifle]]s (which are optimized for close-range, rapid-fire combat) were adopted.
[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] and Soviet-derived military doctrines include [[Military unit|squad]]-level snipers, which may be called "sharpshooters" or "[[Designated marksman]]" in other doctrines (see the "[[Sniper]]" article). They do so because the long-range engagement ability was lost to ordinary troops when [[assault rifle]]s (which are optimized for close-range, rapid-fire combat) were adopted.


⚫
Soviet military doctrine uses snipers for providing long-distance [[suppressive fire]] and for eliminating targets of opportunity, especially leaders, because during [[The Great Patriotic War]], Soviet military leaders and combat theorists ([[Vasily Zaytsev]] contributed greatly to Soviet sniper doctrine, although he was officially neither of these.) found that military organisations have difficulty replacing experienced [[non-commissioned officer]]s and field officers during times of war. They also found that the more expensive and less rugged [[sniper rifle]]s could match the cost-effectiveness of a cheaper [[assault rifle]] given good personnel selection, training, and adherence to doctrine. For example, the [[Kremlin Regiment]]'s snipers reportedly killed 1200 enemy soldiers for the loss of less than one hundred men. The Soviet Union also used women for sniping duties extensively, and to great effect, including [[Lyudmila Pavlichenko]] (who killed over 300 German soldiers) and [[Nina Alexeyevna Lobkovskaya]]. Additionally, they found that sniper duties fit women well, since good snipers are patient, careful, deliberate, can avoid [[mêlée|hand-to-hand combat]], and need higher levels of [[aerobic conditioning]] than other troops.
Soviet and Russian military doctrine uses snipers for long-distance [[suppressive fire]] and targets of opportunity, especially leaders, because
⚫
during [[World War II]] they found that military organizations find it hard to replace experienced [[non-commissioned officer]]s and field officers during times of war. They also found that the more expensive and delicate [[sniper rifle]]s could match the cost-effectiveness of a cheaper [[assault rifle]] given good personnel selection, training, and adherence to doctrine. For example, the [[Kremlin Regiment]]'s snipers reportedly killed 1200 enemy soldiers for the loss of less than one hundred men. The Soviet Union also used women for sniping duties extensively, and to great effect, including [[Lyudmila Pavlichenko]] (who killed over 300 German soldiers) and [[Nina Alexeyevna Lobkovskaya]]. Additionally, they found that sniper duties fit women well, since good snipers are patient, careful, deliberate, can avoid [[mêlée|hand-to-hand combat]], and need higher levels of [[aerobic conditioning]] than other troops.


After the introduction of the [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle|SVD]], the [[Russian Army|Soviet army]] deployed snipers at platoon level.
After the introduction of the [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle|SVD]], the [[Soviet army]] deployed snipers at platoon level.
Those snipers were often chosen from personnel who did well
Those snipers were often chosen from personnel who did well
in rifle shooting while members of [[DOSAAF]].
in in terms of rifle marksmanship while members of [[DOSAAF]].
Such snipers were estimated to have a 50% probability of hitting a standing,
Such snipers were estimated to have a 50% probability of hitting a standing,
man-sized target at 800 m (1/2 mile), and an 80% probability of hitting a standing,
man-sized target at 800 m (1/2 mile), and an 80% probability of hitting a standing,
Line 25: Line 24:


==Rifles==
==Rifles==
Two rifles commonly used by modern day Russian snipers are the [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle|SVD]] or the SVDS. The SVD was designed to provide special fire support, not as a standard sniper rifle. Its main role is to extend effective range of fire of an infantry squad up to 600 meters.
Two rifles commonly used by modern Soviet snipers were the [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle|SVD]] and the SVDS. The SVD was designed to provide special fire support, not as a standard sniper rifle. Its main role is to extend a squad's range of engagement from 300 metres to 600 metres.


The SVD is a lightweight and quite accurate rifle, capable of semi-auto fire. The first request for a new sniper rifle was issued in 1958. In 1963 the SVD (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, or [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle]]) was accepted by Soviet Military.
The SVD is a lightweight and quite accurate rifle, capable of semi-auto fire. It was the response to requests for a new sniper rifle, issued as early as 1958. In 1963, the SVD (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, or [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle]]) was officially adopted by the Soviet Military.


The SVD replaced the [[Mosin-Nagant]] rifle used before and during [[World War II]]. Although the rifle was replaced, the [[calibre]] remained unchanged from the [[7.62 x 54 mm R]] which is still in use today, not only in [[sniper rifles]], but also in [[General purpose machine gun]] (like the [[PK machine gun|PK]]).
The SVD replaced the [[Mosin-Nagant]] rifle used before, after, and during [[The Great Patriotic War]]. Although the rifle was replaced, the [[calibre]] remained unchanged from the [[7.62 x 54 mm R]]. This cartridge is still in use today, not only in [[sniper rifles]], but also in [[General purpose machine gun]], like the [[PK machine gun]].


==In fiction==
==In fiction==

Revision as of 05:34, 8 April 2007

Soviet snipers played an important role during World War II (known as Great Patriotic War in the Soviet Union, in Russia, and in some other post-Soviet states). It is estimated that these snipers killed or wounded over 40,000 German soldiers during the war.

Doctrine

Soviet and Soviet-derived military doctrines include squad-level snipers, which may be called "sharpshooters" or "Designated marksman" in other doctrines (see the "Sniper" article). They do so because the long-range engagement ability was lost to ordinary troops when assault rifles (which are optimized for close-range, rapid-fire combat) were adopted.

Soviet military doctrine uses snipers for providing long-distance suppressive fire and for eliminating targets of opportunity, especially leaders, because during The Great Patriotic War, Soviet military leaders and combat theorists (Vasily Zaytsev contributed greatly to Soviet sniper doctrine, although he was officially neither of these.) found that military organisations have difficulty replacing experienced non-commissioned officers and field officers during times of war. They also found that the more expensive and less rugged sniper rifles could match the cost-effectiveness of a cheaper assault rifle given good personnel selection, training, and adherence to doctrine. For example, the Kremlin Regiment's snipers reportedly killed 1200 enemy soldiers for the loss of less than one hundred men. The Soviet Union also used women for sniping duties extensively, and to great effect, including Lyudmila Pavlichenko (who killed over 300 German soldiers) and Nina Alexeyevna Lobkovskaya. Additionally, they found that sniper duties fit women well, since good snipers are patient, careful, deliberate, can avoid hand-to-hand combat, and need higher levels of aerobic conditioning than other troops.

After the introduction of the SVD, the Soviet army deployed snipers at platoon level. Those snipers were often chosen from personnel who did well in in terms of rifle marksmanship while members of DOSAAF. Such snipers were estimated to have a 50% probability of hitting a standing, man-sized target at 800 m (1/2 mile), and an 80% probability of hitting a standing, man-sized target at 500 m. For distances not exceeding 200 m the probability was estimated to be well above 90%. To attain this level of accuracy the sniper could not engage more than two such targets per minute.[1]

Rifles

Two rifles commonly used by modern Soviet snipers were the SVD and the SVDS. The SVD was designed to provide special fire support, not as a standard sniper rifle. Its main role is to extend a squad's range of engagement from 300 metres to 600 metres.

The SVD is a lightweight and quite accurate rifle, capable of semi-auto fire. It was the response to requests for a new sniper rifle, issued as early as 1958. In 1963, the SVD (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, or Dragunov Sniper Rifle) was officially adopted by the Soviet Military.

The SVD replaced the Mosin-Nagant rifle used before, after, and during The Great Patriotic War. Although the rifle was replaced, the calibre remained unchanged from the 7.62 x 54 mm R. This cartridge is still in use today, not only in sniper rifles, but also in General purpose machine gun, like the PK machine gun.

In fiction

  • A Hollywood film called Enemy at the Gates was made about Vasily Grigoryevich Zaitsev, a Soviet sniper who fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. The plot of the movie is based on a section in the eponymous book by William Craig which fictionalizes an alleged duel between Zaitsev and a German sniper. During the battle, Zaitsev killed 242 Germans. While he is arguably the most famous Russian sniper, there were thousands of snipers in the Russian Army. The battle between the German sniper and Zaitsev was not documented in any reference from the Soviet army, although a similar battle between Zaitsev and German named Heinz Thorvald is recounted personally by Zaitsev.
  • Soviet snipers are occasionally encountered in the game Sniper Elite, especially on later levels. Ironically, they are incorrectly portrayed as wearing a sniper mask, a standard gear for Waffen SS snipers.

Famous Soviet snipers

External links

See also

References

  1. ^ Isby, David C. (1981). Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-531-03732-0. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
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