Moscow, Russia – Web Desk: A military training exercise in Russia descended into chaos after a mounted rotary machine gun reportedly malfunctioned, forcing nearby soldiers to dive for cover as the weapon spun uncontrollably while firing.
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, with users questioning the safety of the weapon’s mounting system and describing the episode as a serious training failure. However, the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified, and the exact location and date of the incident remain unknown.
According to the video, the incident allegedly occurred during a training exercise involving a Russian military mobile fire group using the YakB-12.7 four-barrel rotary machine gun. The weapon was originally designed for attack helicopters rather than ground-mounted operations.
The footage shows a soldier operating the mounted weapon while another stands nearby. Moments after firing begins, the machine gun appears to experience an intense recoil, causing its mounting system to lose stability. The weapon then spins rapidly around its axis while continuing to fire.
The operator is seen struggling to regain control before being thrown aside by the force of the rotating weapon. Nearby troops immediately duck and run for safety to avoid the line of fire. Another soldier eventually manages to stop the spinning machine gun.
Shortly after the incident, one serviceman attempts to touch the weapon’s barrel but quickly pulls his hand back as the metal had become extremely hot following sustained firing.
There has been no official confirmation regarding injuries or the circumstances surrounding the incident. Military authorities have not commented on the video, and independent verification remains unavailable.
Social media users have speculated that the incident may have been caused by a technical failure in the mounting system, excessive recoil, or an imbalance created by the ammunition box. Others criticized the handling of the weapon during the training exercise.
