All the World Records Ukraine Has Set in Modern Warfare

Facing the Russians head-on has tasked Ukraine with pushing its weaponry to the extremes, often leading to the breaking of wartime records. From sniper kills at unprecedented distances to artillery strikes at ranges previously thought impossible. 

What makes these achievements even more remarkable is that many of them are carried out by average citizens who, before the invasion, had little to no military experience. Former teachers, business owners, and tradespeople have risen to the challenge, becoming globally recognized for their extraordinary contributions on the battlefield.

A sniper shot for the history books

Ukraine now holds the world record for the longest-range sniper kill, an incredible 2.36 miles (about 3,800 meters), beating the previous record of 2.2 miles (3,540 meters) set by a Canadian Special Forces sniper in Iraq. The shot was taken by 58-year-old Vyacheslav Kovalskyi, a former businessman turned soldier after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The weapon behind the record, a Ukrainian-made rifle called Horizons Lord, had already made waves among weapons makers before this achievement. By comparison, the Canadian sniper’s MacMillan Tac-50, with a maximum range of 5,905 meters, is in the same anti-material rifle category. Originally designed to take out tanks in World War I, these rifles have been adapted for today’s long-distance warfare, proving their unmatched precision.

The longest artillery hit in active combat

For the first time in combat, Ukrainian forces pulled off a precision artillery strike at a staggering 70 kilometers, setting a global record. The achievement came from pairing Poland’s Krab self-propelled artillery system with the Vulcano GLR-guided shell, proving just how effective Western systems and advanced munitions can be together.

The Krab, usually capable of hitting targets 30 to 40 kilometers away, reached new heights thanks to the Italian-designed Vulcano GLR, which can exceed 80 kilometers in ideal conditions. While the specifics of the strike remain classified, it marks a turning point in modern artillery warfare and highlights Ukraine’s ability to adapt and push the limits of today’s weapons.

The longest battle of the 21st century

The Battle of Bakhmut, lasting from May 2022 to May 2023, was the longest and bloodiest battle of the 21st century. Despite its lack of strategic importance, Bakhmut became a symbolic goal for Russia, with Wagner mercenaries and prisoner recruits relentlessly attacking Ukrainian defenders. The cost was immense, with Russia suffering over 100,000 casualties in a campaign that revealed deep flaws in its military strategy.

For Ukraine, Bakhmut was a reluctant achievement, marked by heavy sacrifices but critical in stalling Russian advances. President Zelenskyy described it as a fortress, key to preventing Russian forces from gaining access to other major cities in the east. Though the city now lies in ruins, it remains a powerful symbol of Ukrainian resilience and resistance in the face of Russian aggression.

The world’s longest-recorded Challenger Tank hit

The Challenger tank is a testament to classic British engineering meeting modern battlefield ingenuity. Originally conceptualized for export to Iran, it soon became a cornerstone of British armored power in the Middle East—thick, layered armor blending seamlessly with advanced fire-control systems that deliver precision strikes at large distances. 

In Ukraine, the Challenger has shown that age and pedigree still count. Expert crews and state-of-the-art systems helped achieve the longest-recorded Challenger tank hit: striking a T-55 over 5 kilometers away. If officially recognized, this surpasses the previous record held by a Challenger tank during the Gulf War, which stood at roughly 4.7 kilometers.