THESE LONG DISTANCE SNIPER KILLS SHATTERED RECORDS & MADE HISTORY
Snipers in the military set the tone for the highest levels of precision. Their daily responsibilities require the utmost patience, hard-work, and skill. Advancements in technology has allowed for multiple long-distance kills over time, with the distance of these kills steadily increasing. The ability to snipe a target, who may be moving, is difficult for anyone. This is even more true when the target is a substantial distance away.Through dedication and consistent training, sharpshooters have etched their names in stone dating back to the Revolutionary War. Even now, some special forces operatives have the uncanny ability to lock in and take down a target from unimaginable distances. Continue reading to explore the characteristics necessary to become a sniper, and join us as we take a look at some of the most notable long-distance sniper kills.
What Is a Long Distance Sniper?
A sniper or long-distance sniper shoots rifles at an incredible clip, even when the target isn’t within a reasonable distance. These marksmen are highly skilled and trained to perform this task, which is hard for anyone to do. These snipers usually shoot targets 500 meters away and above. Even though this is the case, the military equips them with the necessary gear and attachments for optimal precision.In addition to acquiring the ability to shoot targets from long distances, snipers should also understand the study of ballistics and other environmental variables that can alter the trajectory of their shots. Knowing the ins and outs of any factors that could negatively or positively impact your shot is key. Without the proper education in conjunction with an expert level shooting skill, it would be hard to succeed as a sniper in the military.On the battlefield, snipers are usually lone wolves or are accompanied by a small group. Because they want to hide in plain sight, they use camouflage and stealth tactics to remain unseen while surveilling their intended targets. An essential part of a sniper's job is to remain undetected at all costs. For that reason, they are trained to know the methods to stay hidden. This enables them to ambush from a distance, so that the enemy cannot retaliate.Lastly, because snipers spend a lot of their time on the battlefield waiting and watching, they are instrumental in obtaining critical information and taking out enemies with minimal negative impact. These factors make snipers very important in the landscape of military battle. Additionally, they have a vantage point that military members on the ground don't have.Now, let's take a look at a few of the longest-distance sniper kills in history.
Notable Long-Distance Sniper Kills
Viacheslav Kovalskyi | 3,800 meters or 2.36 miles
At number one, we have 58-year-old Viacheslav Kovalskyi, a Ukrainian sniper who snatched the long-distance sniper record shooting a Russian Invader in November 2023. Kovalskyi was a decorated sniper before joining Ukraine’s Security Service, but nothing is more impressive than this shot. He and his partner took the necessary precautions before he fired one missed shot. He quickly reloaded and took the kill shot, which came from a powerful gun. The bullet used looked like instant death upon penetration, which it was.
Unnamed Canadian Sniper | 3,540 meters or 2.19 miles
Before Kovalskyi’s shot, an unnamed Canadian sniper was the record-holder since 2017. The sniper operated under Joint Task Force 2, which is considered the upper echelon of special operations forces in Canada. A lot of the information surrounding this kill is under wraps, but what is known is that the sniper shot an Islamic State fighter. Though this sniper no longer holds the record, it is still one of the more impressive long-distance sniper kills in history.
Unnamed Australian Sniper | 2,800 meters or 1.74 miles
This kill happened in April of 2012 at the hands of an Australian sniper who operated under the 2nd Commando Regiment. Similar to the unnamed Canadian sniper, this Australian sniper held the reign for five years before the record was surpassed. The kill took place in Afghanistan and, concerning the topic at hand, is ranked third among recorded long-distance sniper kills.We should truly admire the skill, talent, and persistence it takes to master such a difficult craft. Not many are built to take on the responsibilities of a sniper, but those who do demonstrate an extreme commitment to excellence, as that is what it takes to be a successful long distance sniper in the military.
Appreciating the Marksmanship of Long Distance Snipers
Having learned about the depths snipers must go to remain successful at their craft, we should respect and appreciate them more. Long-distance sniper shots are by no means easy to pick up on. However, one must remain physically fit for the job, have mental resilience, understand ballistics and calculation, learn the art of camouflage, and achieve marksmanship. These are no small tasks. These service members, in particular, make a challenging task look easy. For that, a big salute goes out to all snipers!Sources:Ukrainian Sniper Broke the World Record, Accessed Aug 2024. https://mil.in.ua/en/news/ukrainian-sniper-broke-the-world-record/ Top 5 Longest-Distance Sniper Kills, Accessed Aug 2024. https://www.military.com/history/5-longest-distance-sniper-kills-military-history.htmlRelated reads: