(BAKHMUT AREA, DONETSK OBLAST, UKRAINE) – Newly released archived footage shows a Ukrainian sniper engaging a Russian BMP 2 infantry fighting vehicle with rifle fire during fighting near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. The video, first made public this week, dates back to battles in 2022 but had not previously been seen.
According to analysis accompanying the footage, the sniper fired at least five rounds at the BMP 2 using armour piercing high explosive incendiary ammunition. The strikes appear to land repeatedly on the same section of the vehicle. After the first impact, the BMP is seen emitting smoke, suggesting internal damage, although the full extent cannot be confirmed from the video alone.
Subsequent rounds strike close to the initial impact point. Visual flashes are visible on several hits, which analysts say may indicate penetration of the vehicle’s armour. One later round appears to strike near the front of the BMP and ricochets off the armour, in contrast to earlier impacts where no ricochet is clearly visible.
Despite the apparent damage, the BMP 2 continues to move and is not destroyed in the footage. Observers note that while the vehicle remains operational, the smoke following the initial hit indicates it likely sustained mechanical or internal damage.
The Ukrainian source who shared the video stated that the sniper was “disguised as a machine gunner.” Independent reviewers say this description is unclear and may reflect a translation issue. It is considered more likely that the sniper was operating from a machine gun position rather than being disguised in any formal sense.
A diagram referenced in the analysis shows that the main impact area corresponds with the BMP 2 fuel tank location. This has led analysts to conclude that the sniper deliberately targeted one of the vehicle’s most vulnerable sections. The repeated hits in the same area support the assessment of a calculated and precise engagement.
No secondary explosion is visible in the footage, but the increasing smoke suggests fuel or internal systems were affected.
The footage is believed to originate from fighting around Bakhmut in 2022, a city that later fell under Russian control. Since capturing Bakhmut, Russian forces have advanced only limited distances in the area, estimated at around 10 to 12 kilometres, with continued heavy fighting and contested ground persisting into 2024.
