Category Archives: Russia and also USSR

The Russian Ratnik Program – The Evolution of the Future Infantry Combat System

February 15, 2019 RoninsGrips 1 Comment

In past blog posts, I have featured the modernization efforts of the base Kalashnikov rifle that resulted in the 5.45×39 AK-12. What many people do not know is that this was just part of a much broader Russian program to create a future infantry combat system. The name of this program is “Ratnik” (Ратник) that translates as warrior.

While R&D started ear;lier, prototype Ratnik kits for the first generation components were delivered in 2013. Firearms, optics, communication, navigation, uniform, load bearing and body armor elements were accepted into service on October 23, 2014. Approximate 200,000 sets were delivered by September 2017, and 100% adoption is estimated in 2020 of the Ratnik-2 system. Ratnik-3 hasn’t been released yet but the suit will include a powered exoskeleton to improve strength, speed and stamina.

Overall, what you are seeing is a concerted move away from the Soviet doctrine of volumes of relative untrained and marginally equipped armed forces personnel (all branches exclude Spetsnaz) to that of a professional modern force of trained and well equipped soldiers.

Russian soldier in Ratnik gear aiming an AK-12 rifle in a forest. — Soldier with an AK-12 rifle with a blank firing adapter. He is wearing a 6B45 ballistic vest, 6sh117 lightweight individual carrying equipment, and, 6B47 helmet.

Russian soldier in Ratnik gear with BTR armored vehicle in forest — *Soldier with an AK-12 rifle with a blank firing adapter. He is wearing a 6B45 ballistic vest, 6sh117 lightweight individual carrying equipment, and, 6B47 helmet.* 6B50 Protective goggles, 6B51 knee and elbow pads were part of Ratnik also.

Russian soldiers in Ratnik gear, showcasing future infantry combat system. — Better view of the 76B47 helpes with covers and the 6B50 eye goggles.

Russian Ratnik soldier's chest rig with camouflage pouches — This is the 6B46 tactical vest

Russian soldier's Ratnik gear with communication device — Improved communications capabilities.

The Videos

The following video is in Russian but affords the viewer a really good opportunity to see the Ratnik-1 and -2 equipment first hand.

The following is a brief video showing Russian Paratroopers doing drills in Pskov.

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Please note that any images shown were extracted from the videos and remain the property of their respective owner(s).

Russia and also USSR

Russian Spetsnaz 2018 – Training and Combat footage

January 9, 2019 RoninsGrips

This is an interesting video that is a collection of both training and combat footage. Absolute Production assembled it with some catcy music in 2018 and I noticed the date stamp on some of the drone footage was 2015.

Russian Spetsnaz in Palmyra, Syria, pointing into the distance.

Russian Spetsnaz operative fires machine gun from helicopter during training.

Russian Spetsnaz soldier in Palmyra, Syria, operating a heavy machine gun during training.

The video provides a good opportunity to see weapons and tactics.

Here’s the Video

Please note all images are extracted from the video and remain the property of their respective owner(s).

Russia and also USSR

Brief Overview of Russian RPK-16

January 4, 2019 RoninsGrips

At a tradeshow, a representative gives a brief overview of the RPK-16 light machine gun in 5.45×39. He highlights design features including the adjustable buttstock, full length Picatinny rail, 4 kilogram light weight, 96 round drum, ability to use AK magazines, free floating handguard, different barrel lengths and that the barrels can be changed in the field.

Man in a tan cap holding a camouflaged RPK-16 light machine gun with a scope and bipod. — The RPK-16 builds on the innovations developed for the AK-12.

RPK-16 light machine gun with a drum magazine, featuring a desert camouflage pattern. — The RPK-16 in 5.45×39 can use a 96-round drum or standard AK magazines.

Here’s The Video

Please note that all images are extracts from the video and remain the property of their respective owner(s).

Russia and also USSR

Russian Spetsnaz Working Out With The PKM Machine Gun

January 3, 2019 RoninsGrips

Here you have a number of videos assembled to show a ton of shooting of the venerable 7.62x54R PKM machine gun by Spetsnaz operators.

You get to see the drills and they wrap up with some SVD and RPG action. Pretty cool.

Russian Spetsnaz soldier training with a PKM machine gun.

Russian Spetsnaz soldier trains with PKM machine gun, smoke in background.

Russian Spetsnaz soldier firing a PKM machine gun during training exercise.

Russian Spetsnaz training with PKM machine gun, text reads "РУС — Hand operated belt loader.

Here’s the Video

Russia and also USSR

Russian FSB Conducting Exercises

December 31, 2018 RoninsGrips

This Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) is focused on security within Russia. This includes counter-intelligence, border security, surveillance, organized crime, counter-terrorism and federal law violations.

In support of the FSB’s activities, it retains an estimated 4,000 special operations forces. Of course, one of the hallmarks of any special forces group is extensive training. The Grey Shop assembled the following video of publicly released footage from a variety of training exercises both land and sea based. I find the tactics and weapons of interest and most of this I have not seen before.

I’m always watching for small arms in these videos and you’ll notice there are AK rifles as well as AKS-74U, AS VAL, a Brügger &Thomet MP9, and PP-19-01 Vityaz.

Russian FSB operatives in tactical gear conduct training exercises near a building.

Russian FSB special forces rappelling from helicopter during exercises.

Russian FSB operatives in tactical gear during exercises

Russian FSB member in camouflage with rifle during maritime exercises.

Russian FSB divers with rifles during underwater exercises.

Russian FSB operatives scale ladder during maritime exercises, with boat in background.

Russian FSB operative in tactical gear during exercises, holding a rifle.

Here’s The Video

Please note that all images were extracted from the video and remain the property of their respective owner(s).

Military, Russia and also USSR

Understanding The Histories of Some of the Special Operations “Spetsnaz” groups in Russia Today

December 30, 2018 RoninsGrips

In the West, folks tend to think that Russian special operations groups, collectively termed “Spetsnaz” are one entity. In fact, there are many special operations groups in Russia both in the military as well as the police.

Giant 24" hog splitter cleaver resting on a tree stump.

FTD Facts assembled a brief video focusing on a number of groups wherein he provides a historical narrative with photos as well as modern footage as well. It’s very informative if you ware wanting to understand a bit more about some of the Spetsnaz groups and how they were formed.

Here’s the Video

All photos come from the video and remain the property of their respective owner(s).

Military, Russia and also USSR

Video of Anti-Terror Exercise in Russia in 2018

December 27, 2018 RoninsGrips

This is a video of a training exercise at the Kalingrad stadium simulating a hostage situation. Units from the FSB, police, Regardie and MOE were involved.

Close-up of 24 inch hog splitter blade with worn edges — Parachute drop to the stadium

Here’s the Video

All photos come from the video and remain the property of their respective owner(s).

Russia and also USSR

Ian McCollum Reviews and Disassembles a M1916 Federov Rifle!

December 24, 2018 RoninsGrips

The Federov Automat rifle has an interesting niche in history as being an early successful design that enabled an infantryman to have a select fire weapon that didn’t weigh a ton. Design work began around 1906, a model was submitted to the Army in 1911 and it saw service from 1915-1917, 1920-1928 and limited use after 1940. Only about 3,200 of the Federovs were built and far, far fewer survive to this day.

I recently published a blog post where Larry Vickers reviewed one during a trip to the Central Armed Forces Museum in Northern Moscow. Another firearms scholar I follow is Ian McCollum, who produces the incredible Forgotten Weapon videos. He recently visited the Royal Armouries in Leeds and had a chance to produce a video segment on the history and disassembly of a Federov rifle.

Ian McCollum disassembles M1916 Fedorov assault rifle, showing internal parts. — Here’s the barreled action removed from the stock.

M1916 Fedorov rifle disassembled: stock, receiver, barrel, bolt, magazine — Here is the Federov disassembled. Ian noted that while the manufacturing was very complicated the design was surprisingly straight forward.

As with all of Ian’s videos, he provides some very interesting history and design commentary as he is taking the Federov apart. Here’s the video:

Ronin's Grips

Category Archives: Russia and also USSR

The Russian Ratnik Program – The Evolution of the Future Infantry Combat System

The Videos

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Russian Spetsnaz 2018 – Training and Combat footage

Here’s the Video

Like this:

Brief Overview of Russian RPK-16

Here’s The Video

Like this:

Russian Spetsnaz Working Out With The PKM Machine Gun

Here’s the Video

Like this:

Russian FSB Conducting Exercises

Here’s The Video

Like this:

Understanding The Histories of Some of the Special Operations “Spetsnaz” groups in Russia Today

Here’s the Video

Like this:

Video of Anti-Terror Exercise in Russia in 2018

Here’s the Video

Like this:

Ian McCollum Reviews and Disassembles a M1916 Federov Rifle!

Like this:

When Strength and Quality Matter Most

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When Strength and Quality Matter Most