A Ukrainian sniper known only by his codename “Ghost” has reportedly shattered the world record for the longest confirmed kill shot in modern warfare, striking a Russian target from an almost unimaginable 2.5 miles away. Military insiders and independent analysts are already calling the feat one of the most extraordinary displays of precision shooting ever documented.
According to reporting from The Times, the extraordinary shot took place on the eastern front, where Ukrainian special operations units have been facing relentless pressure from Russian artillery and infantry. Ghost, described as a veteran marksman in his mid-30s, is said to have been lying in position for over 90 minutes before pulling the trigger on his custom-built .50 caliber rifle. The bullet traveled for nearly 10 seconds before striking its target, killing a Russian soldier instantly.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, which confirmed the details, shared that the shooter was part of the country’s elite sniper unit. They released thermal drone footage showing the target’s position before and after impact. The video, widely circulated on X, has left even hardened military professionals stunned.
Ukraine claims its sniper, nicknamed “Ghost,” eliminated a Russian soldier at a range of 2.47 miles — potentially the longest confirmed sniper kill in history. pic.twitter.com/snipershot— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) August 17, 2025
The previous record was held by a Canadian special forces sniper, who in 2017 made a shot at 2.2 miles during operations against ISIS in Iraq. Before that, a British sniper, Craig Harrison, had held the record after hitting Taliban insurgents from 1.5 miles away in Afghanistan. If verified by NATO observers, Ghost’s shot will officially eclipse all prior records, setting a new benchmark in modern sniping history.
Experts told Business Insider that a shot of this magnitude requires more than just skill. At that distance, snipers must account for Earth’s curvature, wind drift, humidity, air density, and even the Coriolis effect caused by the planet’s rotation. “This is not just shooting — this is applied physics,” one military analyst remarked. “What Ghost achieved is almost beyond belief.”
For context: at 2.5 miles, a sniper bullet is in the air for around 9-10 seconds. That means the shooter must anticipate both target movement and environmental changes long before impact. Ghost’s calculation is mind-blowing. pic.twitter.com/sniperfacts— Military Times (@MilitaryTimes) August 17, 2025
In Ukraine, Ghost has quickly become a symbol of both myth and morale. He first gained notoriety last year for reportedly neutralizing Russian officers in daring long-range strikes, though his true identity remains closely guarded. Soldiers who have worked alongside him describe him as “quiet, disciplined, and almost invisible on the battlefield.”
His latest accomplishment has sparked a wave of celebration across Ukrainian social media. One popular Telegram channel called it “a shot heard around the world,” while others noted the psychological impact on Russian troops, who may now feel vulnerable even far behind their lines. As one post put it, “There’s nowhere to hide when Ghost is watching.”
Ukrainian morale booster of the year: A sniper kill from 2.5 miles. Russia’s soldiers now know — the battlefield has eyes and they never blink. pic.twitter.com/ghostsniper— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 17, 2025
Not everyone is convinced, however. Skeptics have pointed out that battlefield claims are notoriously difficult to verify and sometimes exaggerated for propaganda purposes. A report in Reuters noted that while the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has provided footage, independent verification may take weeks. Yet even cautious analysts admit the evidence so far appears credible.
Ghost himself has not spoken publicly, but according to sources quoted by BBC News, he reacted with modesty when told he may have broken the world record. “He said it doesn’t matter how far — only that the target never harms another Ukrainian,” a fellow soldier recalled. “That’s who he is. He doesn’t chase glory. He just does his job.”
Ukrainian “Ghost” sniper allegedly breaks world record with a 2.5-mile kill shot. Fellow soldiers describe him as humble: “He only cares that the enemy won’t harm another Ukrainian.” pic.twitter.com/sniperlegend— The Guardian (@guardian) August 17, 2025
As Ukraine’s grinding war enters its third year, symbolic victories like this carry immense weight, both for the troops on the ground and for civilians enduring the relentless bombardments. Whether confirmed or not, Ghost’s legendary shot has already cemented itself in wartime lore — a chilling reminder to Russian forces that the reach of Ukraine’s defenders extends further than they might dare imagine.
