A viral video shows a Russian soldier struggling to control a rotary machine gun, the YakB-12.7, which is usually mounted on helicopters but was adapted for ground use. The footage depicts chaos after the weapon came loose during a training exercise.

The Russian-Ukraine conflict, which began on February 24, 2022, often sees Kyiv’s defense agencies publish videos of Russian setbacks. This recent video showcases a YakB-12.7, capable of firing 5,000 rounds per minute, mounted on the ground rather than its intended placement on a Mi-24 helicopter.

“Russian mobile fire teams master the art of 360° defense,” remarked Ukrainian outlet United 24 regarding the incident.

The clip shows the gun spinning uncontrollably, with live rounds sprayed across a range. A soldier narrowly avoids harm, and another burns his hand on the barrel. The origin and date of the incident remain unconfirmed. Newsweek reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment, noting the video had 16 million views.

According to Kyiv, Russian military losses have surpassed 1,420,690, often attributed to insufficient training and gear. Social media comments called out the poorly planned adaptation of the gun for ground use, impacting training safety. “Insane video of Russian anti-aircraft gunner losing control,” stated War Monitor, a pro-Ukrainian account.

Another account, Special Kherson Cat, cited the failure as a result of treating an aircraft gun like a regular ground weapon. OSINT Defender noted the near fatalities among soldiers due to “brutal angular recoil.” The YakB-12.7’s high recoil, suitable for helicopter mounts, posed challenges on a simple ground setup.

“On a helicopter, the airframe and mount can absorb that madness,” commented Ice Universe. “But once you slap it onto a simple ground setup, it suddenly develops a personality.”

Newsweek editors Ben Kelly and Dave Siminoff are gathering further details on this story.