VIDEO: Russian President Putin tests sniper rifle at training centre
Vladimir Putin visits a training centre of the Western Military District for mobilised reservists in Ryazan Region, Russia. Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday inspected a training ground for mobilised troops and was shown firing shots from a sniper rifle in footage apparently intended to show his personal backing for soldiers heading to fight in Ukraine.
Putin was accompanied on the trip to Ryazan, southeast of Moscow, by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who reported to him on how the men were being trained, the Kremlin said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Putin about the soldiers passing the combat training course in military specialties, as well as combat coordination as part of the units.
Footage showed a figure who appeared to be Putin lying flat on the ground and firing from a rifle. In the next frame, Putin was seen dusting down his overcoat, slapping a soldier on the shoulder and wishing him good luck.
This is the first time since the partial mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of reservists was announced on September 21 that President Putin has observed on the ground training of those civilians who were called up to support the military operation in Ukraine.
