What Rifle Made the Longest Recorded Sniper Kill?

"Modern military history is filled with feats that seem almost impossible, but few are as astonishing as the world's longest recorded sniper kill. Achieving a sniper shot requires extraordinary precision, patience, and a rare combination of advanced technology and elite skill. An assortment of factors must be taken into consideration by snipers, including weather conditions, bullet drop, wind drift, and curvature of the Earth. Long-distance sniper shots push the absolute limits of what firearms and human capability can accomplish on the battlefield."

"This article explores the rifle behind the longest confirmed sniper kill on record, examining how advancements in weapon design, optics, and ammunition made such a distance achievable. Beyond the technical marvel, the story also reveals how modern gun warfare has transformed. At one time, guns were almost solely fired at relatively close-range. Long-distance snipers reshaped strategy, risk, and the very nature of combat precision."

Modern military engagements now include record-breaking long-range sniper kills. A Ukrainian sniper, Viacheslav Kovalskyi, achieved a confirmed kill at 3,800 meters (4,156 yards). The shot required precise consideration of weather, bullet drop, wind drift, and the curvature of the Earth. The rifle used was the Volodar Obriyu (Horizon's Lord), a single-shot bolt-action anti-materiel rifle designed by Ukrainian MAYAK. Advances in weapon design, optics, and ammunition enabled such distances. Long-distance snipers transformed tactics, risk assessment, and combat precision compared with earlier close-range engagements. Kovalskyi's identity was publicly disclosed partly due to the conflict's influence on public opinion. A brief history of snipers and their impact on warfare was added November 23, 2025.

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