Ukraine bazaar for Western arms
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Open-source intelligence (OSINT) of the Russian conflict in Ukraine shows fighters on all sides armed with state-of-the-art Western weapons – British-made sniper rifles, German riflescopes and laser rangefinders, and U.S.-made ballistic meters

Accuracy International (AI) AXMC rifle

1. Muzzle break: Reduces recoil.
Can be replaced with suppressor to silence shot

2 Bipod

3 Accessory rail

4 Handguard: Threaded with characteristic holes to cool barrel

5 Riflescope: Schmidt & Bender scope permits user to hit targets up
to 2,500 metres away

6 Receiver: Holds magazine with five or ten .338 (8.59mm) high-power Lapua Magnum cartridges.
Round can penetrate armoured glass

7 Safety: Ambidextrous three-position safety catch

8 Stock: Folds to right over bolt handle. Reduces length by 250mm

9 Cheekpiece: Lateral and height adjustment. Stores 4mm hex key for barrel removal

10 Butt pad: Pull length can be adjusted by 40mm without tools

U.S.-made palm-held computer. Combines ballistic data from rifle, ammunition, altitude, wind speed,3 air pressure, humidity and distance from laser rangefinder, to assist shooter

Also acts as moving target lead calculator


Leica rangefinder
German-made. Accurate distance data up to 2,600 metres
Connects to Kestrel 5700 via Bluetooth
Used by Ukrainian troops

Russian sniper with AI rifle

U.S. weather meter among Russian supplies

Ukrainian sniper with British AI rifle

Pro-Russian Chechen sniper with U.S. Nightforce scope
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Sources: Accuracy International, Bellingcat, War Noir Pictures: Ukraine army, Sky News, War Noir, Rob Lee © GRAPHIC NEWS