Operators from Russia’s 24th ObrSpN (or 24th Spetsnaz Brigade) have appeared in a video from a recent training exercise equipped with the new AK-12 5.45x39mm rifles. The short video shows a Spetsnaz team intercepting a truck to acquire ‘valuable intelligence’. 24th obrSpN was originally formed in November 1977 and saw extensive service during the Soviet-Afghan War (1979 – 89), they are currently based in Irkutsk, in south-central Russia.

A nine-man Spetsnaz section advancing on skies

The AK-12 was formally adopted by the Russian Federation’s armed forces with an order for 150,000 rifles confirmed in Spring 2019. The first batch of 8,000 AK-12s were issued to the units of the Central Military District of Russian Armed Forces, so it makes sense that the 24th obrSpN at Irkutsk would be among the first to receive them.

AK-12 Specs:

We previously saw them last May, at Russia’s annual victory march in Moscow in the hands of smiling members of the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School, the 131th Airborne Regiment and the Second Mechanized Infantry Division.

AK-12 with suppressor – right profile (Kalashnikov)

AK-12 with suppressor – left profile (Kalashnikov)

Check out the video below, shared in a tweet by Rob Lee. It’s pretty underwhelming and likely unnecessarily staged – as the truck appears to slow down to allow the operators to climb aboard.

Regardless of the realism of the video, we’re more interested in the rifles themselves. Some screencaps from the video are included in this article. We can see that the rifle is being used with a standard 2 point sling but the winter camouflage overalls hide the operators’ other equipment. We do, however, get a decent look at the new polymer 5.45 magazines with clear windows showing round count.

Video of servicemen from the GRU's 24th Spetsnaz Brigade equipped with new AK-12 rifles during a training exercise in Novosibirsk. The spetsnaz detachment made a 5km movement on skis before assaulting an enemy truck to recover valuable intelligence.https://t.co/VpV6YHQd6f pic.twitter.com/hIwrGNusJg

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) February 20, 2020

Spetsnaz operators secure the area as other platoon members climb aboard the target truck