Footage shows uncontrolled firing of YakB-12.7 machine gun during Russian military drill

A viral video appearing to date from July 2026 shows Russian soldiers attempting to use a YakB-12.7, a four-barrel rotary machine gun originally designed for Mil Mi-24 helicopters, in a ground-based role. During the exercise, the weapon was mounted on a makeshift or static stand, which failed to support the heavy recoil. The machine gun began to rotate uncontrollably, posing a significant risk to nearby personnel. While some reports describe the incident as a military training exercise, others suggest it may have taken place at the front lines in Ukraine as part of a mobile anti-drone unit. The location and specific timing of the event have not been independently verified. The footage shows a soldier manning the weapon while another stands only meters away. No injuries were reported, and the incident has sparked widespread criticism regarding equipment safety and field modifications.