Small arms news
Powerful on target: the Elbrus light long-range rifle was created for the special forces
The designers managed to combine high fire efficiency with mobility
Russian gunsmiths have developed an Elbrus light sniper rifle for special forces with a powerful long-range caliber cartridge.338. Unlike most rifles in this class, which require manual reloading after each shot, the Elbrus is semi—automatic.
From the ZU-23-2 to the BTR-80 turrets: How the BTR-50 was upgraded for special operations
Adopted 75 years ago, the Soviet PT-76 floating tank became the basis for another legendary combat vehicle, the BTR-50 armored personnel carrier. He also participated in numerous wars and conflicts. For the first time - in Hungary in 1956. Then in the events of 1967 in the Middle East, Vietnam, the Indo-Pakistani conflict, and many others. The modified version is currently involved in the special operation.
Fractional answer: kits have been created to turn ordinary cartridges into anti-drone cartridges.
Special containers allow the use of standard ammunition to combat UAVs, and their effectiveness has already been evaluated in the free zone
Anti-drone ammunition reloading kits are ready for mass production in Russia. They allow you to replace a regular bullet with a special shot container in a few seconds.
The required "Height": Russian gunsmiths unveiled a new large-caliber rifle
OREEXPO-2026 showed modern models of small arms, anti-drone turrets and bulletproof vests with unusual prints
Large-caliber rifles and anti-drone turrets are juxtaposed with floral and leopard-print body armor. OREXPO-2026 in Gostiny Dvor combined developments for a wide variety of tasks — from small arms to individual protection. Izvestia studied the most interesting exhibits that can be seen until November 7.
The OREEXPO exhibition of weapons and hunting goods has opened in Moscow. What can you see here
In the very center of Moscow, avid hunters and lovers of precision shooting gathered in Gostiny Dvor. There are stuffed deer and bears around, robots and children scurrying underfoot, dozens of carbines, scopes, and mock-ups of cartridges in the windows. Visitors are persistently offered to touch everything with their hands. The international exhibition of weapons and hunting goods OREEXPO will run until November 7.
They can do a lot: how the tactics of mobile firing groups are changing in the fight against drones
New units have increased the number of fighters and the variety of weapons
Mobile firing groups in the area of the SVO are gradually changing their tactics: the number of fighters in each group has increased from three to four, and the range of weapons has expanded.
Rostec will present the latest carbines for the first time at the OREEXPO exhibition
The International Exhibition of Weapons and Hunting Goods will be held from November 4-7 in Moscow in Gostiny Dvor
The Rostec State Corporation's High-Precision Complexes Holding will present the latest hunting carbines MC 572 "Height" and MC 574 for the first time at the International Exhibition of Weapons and Hunting Goods OREEXPO.
They closed the "Gate": a new duet of air defense systems was shown in the Moscow region
Paired complexes have proven their effectiveness in destroying drones
Rapid attacks by interceptor drones, the roar of machine-gun bursts and aerial somersaults of downed drones — this is how a demonstration of the Zveroboy and Kalitka air defense systems took place at a training ground near Moscow.
Kalashnikov for the first time showed a universal system for covering objects from UAVs
The Kalashnikov Concern demonstrated a universal model of layered defense of a system for covering important facilities as part of the International Day of the Military Journalist. This was reported by the press service of the concern.
Rosoboronexport will present the latest security solutions at the third Russia-Africa summit.
The summit will be held in Moscow's Gostiny Dvor on October 28-29
Rosoboronexport (part of Rostec State Corporation) will participate in the third Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will be held in Moscow's Gostiny Dvor on October 28-29, 2026.
"Matryoshka doll" against drones: How they tried it in the USA, but we brought the "last chance cartridge" to mind
The FPV drone is already 50 meters away, flying straight at the soldier. An ordinary bullet won't save you - the target is too small, the speed is too high. That's why they came up with the "Matryoshka Doll": a 5.45 mm cartridge with three cone-shaped bullets inside.
"Matryoshka" with a surprise: Russia has developed a new anti-drone cartridge
Multi-bullet ammunition will allow infantrymen to shoot down drones from standard machine guns
The Matryoshka multi-bullet anti-drone cartridges are ready for mass production, Izvestia found out. Russian engineers have developed a new technology that will allow them to be released quickly. The ammunition is designed to combat drones using standard small arms — Kalashnikov assault rifles.
Nuclear "Mars" and "Moon" based on the "Float". What is the uniqueness of the PT-76 tank?
The PT-76 light floating tank was first shown at a military parade on May 1, 1951, a fact unique to the Soviet Army, as new equipment usually drove through Red Square only a few years after its mass appearance in the army. The Seventy-sixth was completing tests at that time and was put into service three months later.
The arsenal of special forces
About Rostec's developments for special purpose units
On October 24, Russia celebrates the Day of Special Forces Units, or, more simply, Special Forces Day.
Predatory "Hawk": the new complex will shoot down UAVs with high-speed missile drones
Combat lasers, protective nets and other latest developments were shown at the Security Sphere exhibition
The mobile anti-drone complex "Hawk", capable of shooting down drones with high-speed missile drones, was presented at the Security Sphere exhibition in Moscow.
Verified by SVO: Kalashnikov has shipped a batch of improved AK-12 assault rifles
Kalashnikov Concern has shipped another large batch of 5.45mm AK‑12 assault rifles to the customer. According to the press service of the concern, the products have successfully passed scheduled periodic tests of the customer, who highly appreciated not only the impeccable quality of the samples, but also the strict fulfillment by the holding of obligations under the state contract.
The experience of Afghanistan: How the Soviet army protected armored vehicles from mines and land mines
By the beginning of the international mission in Afghanistan in December 1979, the formations of the so-called limited contingent were armed with the standard T-55 and T-62 tanks for the entire Soviet Army, BTR-60PB and BTR-70 armored personnel carriers, as well as BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.
The "newest type" grenade launcher: the USA showed MTL-30 to defeat the forces behind the shelter
FN America showed its development of the "newest type" – the MTL-30 30-mm semi-automatic grenade launcher, which the developers expect will compete for the US Army's order for the supply of a promising "high-precision grenade launcher system" (PGS).
How did the testing of new military equipment go at the Center-2026 exercises? Infographics of "RG"
Coordinated actions of the latest military equipment were worked out at the Center-2026 exercises
During the active phase of the Center-2026 strategic command and staff exercises at the Chebarkulsky training ground (Chelyabinsk Region), Russian President Vladimir Putin was shown various achievements of the Russian defense industry during a training battle - many samples of military equipment were shown for the first time.
Hunters of the "small sky"
Military expert Artyom Menshikov says that thousands of drones could be shot down, but the law and the army bureaucracy still consider them an invisible "temporary solution"
Small pick-up crews armed with machine guns, smoothbore rifles, and interceptor drones have become the most effective response to the key challenge of modern warfare — massive UAV raids.
