Ukraine’s “Pryvyd” (Ghost) sniper unit has set a world record for the longest confirmed sniper kill, taking out Russian troops from a distance of 4,000 meters (about 4,374 yards).
According to Defense Express, the shot was made with the domestically produced “Alligator” rifle, chambered in 14.5 mm.
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The single shot hit and killed two Russian soldiers in the Pokrovsk sector, a feat made possible by the range of Ukraine’s domestically produced rifle and the proficiency of its snipers – with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone guidance.
“The record-breaking shot was made on Aug. 14, 2025, using artificial intelligence under the guidance of a UAV complex with a 14.5 mm Alligator rifle”, wrote military journalist Yuri Butusov, who published a video of the event.
“The bullet went through the window behind which the occupiers were standing (to the left of the pipe),” he added.
The shot occurred amid intensified Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, where Moscow is thought to have deployed around 110,000 troops by some estimations and breached Ukrainian defensive lines.
However, the Ukrainian military said on Friday that the situation is under control.
Notably, the previous world record also belonged to Ukraine: a 58-year-old sniper from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) took out a target from 3,800 meters (about 4,156 yards) using the domestically made “Lord of the Horizon” rifle.
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The “Alligator” is a Ukrainian-made rifle produced by Kharkiv-based XADO-Holding. It is magazine-fed, with a 14.5 mm caliber, a 1,200 mm barrel, and a muzzle velocity of 980–1,000 meters per second (3,215–3,281 feet per second).
The rifle weighs 25 kilograms (55 pounds), which is considered normal for its caliber.
“If the rifle weighed less, the recoil would be much more significant, even taking into account the muzzle brake and recoil spring in the stock,” Defense Express wrote.
In 2021, the manufacturer stated that the “Alligator” had an effective range of 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) and was designed as an anti-materiel rifle rather than for use against personnel.
These rifles were designed to disable equipment rather than target personnel, but Defense Express noted that battlefield conditions often require them to serve multiple roles.
“But real-life experience has shown not only completely different requirements, but also the actual capabilities of Ukrainian weapons, which have far exceeded their creators’ expectations,” the outlet wrote.
The outlet added that 4 kilometers (about 4,374 yards) is by no means the limit for this rifle. A bullet fired from it can travel up to 7 kilometers (about 7,655 yards). However, accuracy is the main limiting factor: At a distance of 1.5 kilometers (about 1,640 yards), the deviation can already form a circle roughly one meter in diameter. Therefore, at a distance of 4 kilometers, the sniper most likely had to fire a series of shots to achieve the successful hit.
Earlier, Kyiv Post reported that a sniper from Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR), call sign “Lektor,” made history by eliminating a Russian soldier from a distance of 2,069 meters (2,263 yards) using a 338 Lapua Magnum-caliber rifle – one of the longest confirmed shots in history.
In his exclusive interview with Kyiv Post, “Lektor” reveals the intense preparation, extreme battlefield conditions, and mental precision required for such a feat in the unforgiving Ukrainian warzone. From evading enemy drones to making split-second calculations, he shares what it takes to make the shot. Plus, a personal revelation – he fights alongside his son.
Watch the full video interview here.