[Combat] MANPADS operators in Moscow on Jun 18. (files.catbox.moe)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by LaFinlandia@sopuli.xyz to c/ukraine@sopuli.xyz

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[-] tal@lemmy.today 11 points 1 week ago

Man, I was watching those people standing pretty much behind some of the MANPADS guys. I'd assume that Russian MANPADS (presumably this is a Verba?) are comparable to the Stinger.

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/44-18-1/Ch2.htm

During annual service practice firing, there should be no personnel closer to a firing point than 50 meters (164 feet). Under combat conditions, personnel within 15 meters (50 feet) of the weapon run a high risk of being injured by flying glass and debris. The team chief should be close to the gunner's side to insure that he is not endangered by the weapon's backblast. Allow at least 5 meters (16 feet) safety distance from equipment. Under combat conditions, these safety distances for personnel and equipment may not always be feasible. Damage to radio equipment may result if it is within the backblast area. Always inform the unit that you are supporting of the noise and backblast safety hazards.

Wear ear protectors, helmet, and flack jacket when firing. Personnel within 125 meters (about 400 feet) should also wear ear protectors.

[-] Darnton@piefed.zip 17 points 1 week ago

"Let me just stand on this traffic congested road full of cars and people and randomly fire my MANPAD, maybe it will lock on to something along the way."

Also loving that no matter in which direction the camera pointed the entire horizon is covered in smoke from countless fires. That area got absolutely devastated.

[-] tal@lemmy.today 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

maybe it will lock on to something along the way

Assuming that this is like a Stinger, I'm pretty sure that it did have a lock on something. That's that high-pitched sound you hear shortly before the operator fires

it plays when its infrared sensor sees something bright, something hot:

Stinger lock-on tone recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KSJVM9Ymck

Now, it does look like it wound up heading after something other than what the operator intended, but I believe that he had something hot in its sights at the time that he squeezed the trigger.