Russian Soldiers Train on Upgraded "SVD 'Dragunov' Sniper Rifle."

The SVD 'Dragunov' sniper rifle is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle chambered in the 7.62×54mmR cartridge, developed in the Soviet Union. It was designed to serve in a squad support role, providing precise long-range engagement capabilities to ordinary troops following the Warsaw Pact adoption of the 7.62×39mm intermediate cartridge and assault rifles as standard infantry weapon systems. Developed from 1958 to 1963, it was selected as the winner of a contest that included three competing groups of designers led by Sergei Simonov, Aleksandr Konstantinov, and Yevgeny Dragunov. Extensive field testing in a wide range of environmental conditions led to Dragunov's proposal for the 7.62×54mmR fully powered cartridge being accepted into service in July 1963. Since then, the SVD has become the standard squad support weapon of several countries, including those of the former Warsaw Pact. The rifle bears cosmetic similarities to the AK family of rifles, primarily for standardizing the manual of arms, which has occasionally led to misidentification of the SVD as an AK variant and vice versa. The Dragunov SVD sniper rifle has been upgraded with various enhancements focused on improving accuracy, ergonomics, and the ability to mount modern optics.