Russia Shows Russian Reservists Training To Shoot Down Drones In Ryazan Region

This footage purports to show Russian reservists training to shoot down drones with machine guns mounted on pickup trucks in the Ryazan region.

The footage was obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 31st August and reportedly shows the exercises at an airborne forces range in Russia's Ryazan Region.

The video shows the crews working a turret-mounted gun from the back of one of the vehicles and firing at targets overhead.

The images also show infantrymen training at a firing range and other soldiers learning to apply tourniquets.

The Russian MoD claimed in a statement: "At one of the ranges of the Airborne Forces, crews of the mobile fire groups of the BARS-Ryazan detachment are undergoing training and coordination, intended for the protection of civilian facilities and critical infrastructure of the Ryazan Region.

"The crews are manned by reservists who have voluntarily signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence on being in the mobilisation human reserve, to protect their small homeland from attacks by Ukrainian drones.

"The set of combat training measures includes disciplines that will allow the reservists to effectively carry out tasks for the guarding and defence of enterprises of the Ryazan Region. Particular attention is paid to tactical, medical and firearms training using modern Kupol-M turrets with the Kontur-M television installation, mounted on pickup-type vehicles, to which twin PKT machine guns are attached.

"In addition, an important element of the training is practising actions when repelling attacks by FPV drones using smoothbore weapons and 7.62mm AK-47 assault rifles.

"During the training, the personnel studied methods of using standard-issue weapons and methods of conducting combat as part of a group, practised skills in providing first medical aid and evacuating the wounded, engineering preparation, equipping and camouflaging firing positions, conducting observation and radio communications.

"The training programme is built taking into account the experience of the special military operation. Training is conducted both in daytime and at night. Initially, citizens undergo individual training, after which they move on to classes as part of groups.

"The training takes place under the direction of instructors of the Airborne Forces who have rich combat experience. Only after completing the training are the crews permitted to carry out tasks independently. Citizens who have concluded a contract on being in the mobilisation human reserve are not involved in participation in the special military operation. Reservists carry out assigned tasks to protect life-support facilities only on the territory of their own constituent entity of the Russian Federation."

Ryazan lies about 200 kilometres (125 miles) south-east of Moscow and has been hit repeatedly by Ukrainian drones, which have targeted its oil refinery.

We have not been able to independently verify the images or the statement.

(Joe Golder/Clipzilla/NX)