Russian soldier loses control of mounted machine gun nearly killing several of his fellow troops

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:24, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 01:24, 13 July 2026 A Russian military training exercise descended into chaos after a soldier lost control of a powerful rotary machine gun. It sent the weapon spinning wildly and forced nearby troops to dive for cover as bullets appeared to spray unpredictably across the range. The dramatic incident was captured on video and has since spread widely across social media, where viewers described it as a spectacular training failure and questioned how the weapon had been mounted. The footage, which the Daily Mail has not been able to independently verify, including when or where it was filmed, is described online as showing a Russian mobile fire group training exercise involving a YakB-12.7 rotary machine gun. The weapon was originally developed for use on the Mil Mi-24 'Hind' attack helicopter. The video begins with a soldier positioned behind the mounted machine gun while another serviceman stands just a few feet away. At first, the exercise appears routine as the gunner opens fire but within moments the enormous recoil generated by the weapon appears to overwhelm the mounting system. Instead of remaining fixed on its target, the heavy machine gun suddenly begins rotating violently around its support. A video circulating online appears to show a Russian soldier losing control of a mounted rotary machine gun during a training exercise The video's description claims the weapon is a YakB-12.7 rotary machine gun originally developed for the Mil Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. Another soldier ducks, left, just in time! The footage appears to show the gun beginning to rotate violently shortly after the soldier opens fire. The operator appears unable to control the weapon as it spins around its mounting The soldier clinging to the weapon is pulled with it, desperately trying to maintain control as the entire assembly spins faster and faster. As the gun continues firing, the operator is whipped around the mount before being violently hurled over a nearby barrier. The weapon appears to continue rotating under its own momentum while still discharging rounds. Nearby troops can be seen ducking and scrambling away as the machine gun swings through wide arcs. The footage appears to show bullets continuing to fire while the uncontrolled weapon rotates. Eventually another serviceman rushes toward the spinning gun and manages to stop it moving. Moments later, he reaches toward the barrel but immediately pulls his hand away, apparently after discovering just how hot the metal had become following the sustained burst of automatic fire. No information has been released about whether anyone was injured during the incident. The soldier is flung over a nearby barrier while still attempting to hold onto the machine gun The soldier cannot hold onto the weapon any longer and it flung over a fence The exact location, date and circumstances surrounding the exercise also remain unclear. According to the video's online description, the training involved a Russian mobile fire group using a YakB-12.7, a four-barrel rotary machine gun designed for helicopter use rather than ground-mounted firing positions. The footage has prompted a flood of commentary online, with many viewers focusing on what they believed may have caused the spectacular loss of control. One person wrote: 'Physics is cool. Instructor grabbing hot barrel after? Chef's kiss.' Another suggested the mounting arrangement itself may have been flawed. 'In the end you can see they mounted it off-bore. So once the recoil starts turning the barrel it will just accelerate...' the commenter wrote. Another serviceman eventually approaches and appears to stop the machine gun from rotating. A third viewer speculated that the balance of the weapon may have been compromised. 'Yeah, it looks like they used the mount for a second barrel to hold the ammunition box rather than the second barrel to balance it.' Others could not believe one of the soldiers appeared to touch the barrel moments after the sustained burst of fire. 'Even after that spectacular display of stupidity, the guy with the bandana feels the need to one up him and touches the searing hot gun barrel. (That's gonna leave a mark.)' another commenter joked.