Key Points: In 2023, Ukrainian sniper Viacheslav Koyalskyi set a world record for the longest confirmed sniper kill with a shot at 2.36 miles.
-At 58 years old, Koyalskyi, a former businessman serving in Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), used the Ukrainian-made Volodar Obriyu (“Horizon’s Lord”) anti-material rifle to eliminate a Russian soldier.
-The remarkable shot reportedly took 10 seconds to reach its target. While the claim bolsters Ukraine’s public relations amid the war, independent confirmation is limited.
-The Horizon’s Lord rifle, known for its versatility and power, exemplifies Ukraine’s advanced military capabilities and innovative adaptation in warfare.
Who Made the Longest Sniper Shot in History?
You probably wouldn’t be surprised if I told you an operator in the U.S. military holds the record for the longest sniper kill in military history. After all, the United States has the best special operations forces in the world, including Tier One operators like SEAL Team 6 and Delta Force, along with U.S. Army Special Forces and Rangers and U.S. Marine Corps Raiders, not to mention all the snipers that are in American conventional forces. All of these sharpshooters graduate from some of the toughest sniper schools around the globe and long kill shots come naturally to them.
Is the Soldier from Ukraine or Russia?
But what if some other country’s sniper holds the world record for the longest shot?
You may guess that either shooters from Russia or Ukraine have that distinction since they have been slugging it out for almost three years.
Ukraine Takes the Honor
If you guessed Ukraine, you would be correct. You might have also concluded that this shooter would be a bright-eyed 20-something in the Ukrainian special forces. But the soldier who made the shot is a gray-haired former businessman who is 58 years old.
US Military sniper rifle. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Who Did It?
Viacheslav Koyalskyi hit an enemy soldier in 2023 with what sounds like an impossible shot at a distance of 2.36 miles. Koyalskyi serves with the counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). This eagle-eyed shooter was using a Ukrainian-made Volodar Obriyu (Horizon’s Lord) rifle.
“I think the Russians will now know what Ukrainians are capable of. Let them stay at home and be afraid,” said the determined soldier, who you would think would be long retired at 58. This is the age when you may be having cataract surgery and need progressive eyeglasses with a strong prescription. Koyalskyi made his shot like someone from Generation Z.
Can We Get Outside Confirmation?
Now this is difficult to confirm by outsiders and we have to take the Ukrainian SBU’s word for it. The Ukrainians are known for sometimes stretching and over-estimating the casualties they have inflicted on the Russians, and they love public relations wins against the invaders. This feat is one for social media bragging rights.
Here is the 72-second video documenting the unbelievable shot. It was posted by the Daily Mail and has nearly 300,000 views. It first warns that it may be disturbing and “upsetting” for some viewers.
What Do You See?
The first view shows the long-range silhouettes of three Russian soldiers. It is difficult to make out this group but handy red arrows are pointing them out to aid your sight. Then after about ten seconds, you can see a soldier taking a round to his chest. He grabs his mid-side and falls over. This is a “center mass” shot, and it is just how marksmen are trained to shoot the world over. The video says Koyalskyi fired the rifle, and it took an incredible 10 seconds for the round to hit the target.
Russian President Putin testing a new sniper rifle. Image Credit: Russian State Media.
If you want a short “feature” video on Koyalskyi and his rifle, go here to this reel. His Horizon’s Lord rifle is produced in Ukraine. The Horizon’s Lord is actually an anti-material weapon that can “destroy enemy snipers, large-caliber machine guns, anti-tank missile systems (ATGM), as well as to combat lightly armored vehicles.”
More About the Horizon’s Lord Anti-Material Rifle
The Horizon’s Lord is a single-shot bolt action rifle. It is almost six feet long with a maximum range of 3,200 meters. The Horizon’s Lord can use the older 14.5x114mm cartridge and the newer 12.7x114HL cartridge.
That’s not all. According to the Firearmsblog.com, “the bolt head and barrel of the rifle can be easily detached. In a matter of bolt head and barrel change, the caliber of the rifle can be changed to .416 Barrett, .460 Steyr, .50 BMG, or 12.7x108mm.” That is quite versatile for long-range shooting.
Credit the Ukrainians for allowing a seasoned soldier to take on the sniper role. This is an excellent shot for anyone at any age and is worthy of the world record. But records are made to be broken, and it would not be surprising to see if Koyalskyi or one of his countrymen eclipsed this ultra-long shot. We’ll be watching to see what shooter can set a new world record, but until then, it is a 58-year-old former businessman from Ukraine who holds the honor.
About the Author
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
