Russo-Ukrainian War: Training with Airsoft

Source: Sky News Ukraine

     Two Ukrainian soldiers photographed during training sometime in July 2025. The wire mesh goggles and mask worn by the soldier in the foreground might look very familiar to people who participate in airsoft games. Airsoft, which first started in Japan in the 1970s, is now played around the world and it consists of teams competing against each other with the sides utilizing airsoft weapons which fire 6mm spherical pellets. The Ukrainian Army, as far back as 2023, began using airsoft firearms to conduct training. Specifically, they are using AEG airsoft weapons.

     AEG, standing for Automatic Electric Gun, is the most common type of powered airsoft weapon. Based on airsoft spring guns (the cheapest type of airsoft weapon...requiring the firer to cock the weapon after each shot), the AEG uses a rechargeable battery pack to power an electric motor which handles the task of charging the weapon. As such, many AEG weapons are selective fire, permitting the operator to shoot single shot, 3-round burst fire, or conduct fully automatic fire. The typical AEG has a muzzle velocity of between 300 to 390 feet per second with an average range of around 200 feet. Getting struck by a 6mm pellet is said to feel like getting a sharp pinch.

     So, why use airsoft? It offers a number of advantages with the most obvious being safety and the prevention of serious injury. As the Ukrainian Army is at a disadvantage in regards to manpower versus the Russian Federation, airsoft reduces the chances of death or critical injury if the training is being conducted with small arms ammunition (even blanks can be deadly). Given that many AEG airsoft guns are externally replicas of genuine assault rifles, it provides the recruit or soldier with practical experience in handling the weapon. Likewise, AEG weapons are relatively inexpensive compared to their real counterparts and the cost of 6mm ammunition is far cheaper than small arms cartridges.

     Another obvious advantage is it permits realistic combat training that encompasses the broad spectrum of battlefield tactics across various terrain and situations. OPFOR (Opposition Forces) can be utilized to engage soldiers in combat simulations without much risk of harm during firefights which makes such “live fire” training far more real where there is no mistaking being struck and thus trainees can experience what it is to take “casualties” and how to deal with such situations. Also, airsoft training is more economical in comparison to using MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) equipment which is expensive, cumbersome for infantrymen to wear the required sensors in addition to their regular combat loads, and requires lasers to be fitted to weapons. This, in addition to the time needed to maintain MILES gear and replacement cost for damaged lasers and sensors.

     Airsoft, while providing limited benefit to marksmanship, is no replacement for training with actual battle rifles on shooting ranges with live ammunition...all under the guidance of instructors who can assist the soldier within the relative safety of a controlled environment.

     The AEG rifles shown in the photograph are replicas of the Colt M4A1 CQBR (Close Quarter Battle Receiver) using SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) accessories, notably the Knight's Armament Company rail interface system (NSN: 1005-01-416-1089) as the rifle's forearm. What make the AEGs are cannot be told with any certainty but Specna Arms is a possible candidate, if only by the design of the magazine.