The Come Back Alive Foundation trained and supplied 556 marksmen with sights within the framework of the ‘Zvirolovy’ (‘Beast Catchers’) project.

Come Back Alive Foundation sniper instructors conducted the training course for 556 marksmen from 11 military units.

Everyone who completed the training received an optical or thermal sight from the foundation.

In general, marksmen received:

• 463 Vortex Strike Eagle optical sights, which allow to hit at a distance of 100 to 600 meters without additional settings during the battle;
• 13 InfiRay Rico RH50 thermal imaging sights;
• 10 InfiRay Rico RL42 thermal imaging sights;
• 18 PULSAR Thermion 2 LRF XP50 Pro thermal imaging sights;
• 51 HAWKVISION HV-MR thermal imaging sights.

“Such sights allow for more accurate fire, better target acquisition at a distance, and successful defense of positions. A marksman with this sight will spot the enemy in time,” sniper instructor Ruslan Shpakovych shared.

The Foundation purchased a total of 1,122 items of equipment within the ‘Zvirolovy’ (‘Beast Catchers’) project: in addition to sights, these are observation screens, tripods, rangefinders, monoculars, etc.

“UAH 34,358,273 was spent on everything,” the Foundation reported.

Come Back Alive Foundation instructors spent 39 days at the training grounds implementing the project. Four to six instructors worked with each brigade. The training took place mostly near the front line. Groups of soldiers participated in them for several days and returned to combat missions as soon as possible.

Marksmen

Marksmen are infantry snipers who work at distances of up to 600 meters. Ordinary snipers can only control a distance of up to 150 meters.

The special equipment and skills of the marksmen allow them not only to cover their positions but also to hit the most important targets, such as machine gun or grenade launcher crews or enemy assault groups.

A marksman must be able to:

• install and adjust the sight;
• observe the enemy and determine the distance to targets;
• hit the enemy or press him to the ground with fire at a distance of up to 600 m or even more;
• carry out fire with the help of a sighting grid, taking into account the distance and the strength and direction of the wind.

“70% of the marksmen who have undergone training have demonstrated good results. It depends on the level of motivation of the soldiers,” the Foundation noted.