Overview
- A clip that first circulated on July 12 shows a mounted four‑barrel YakB‑12.7 tearing itself free of the operator's control and rotating violently while firing.
- The YakB‑12.7 is an aircraft‑grade rotary machine gun built for the Mi‑24 helicopter and produces extreme recoil that is normally absorbed by reinforced aircraft mounts.
- In the footage a gunner is flung from the mount, nearby troops scramble for cover, and a second serviceman later manages to stop the weapon.
- The video spread widely on Telegram and X, attracting millions of views and strong online reaction, but multiple outlets note the clip’s date, location and authenticity remain unverified and Russian authorities have not commented.
- Analysts and commenters say improvised ground mounting or an off‑axis installation likely caused the failure, a worry for 'mobile fire units' racing to field ad hoc anti‑drone defenses and a danger to crews operating converted aerial weapons.