In the Army Now
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Bullet trajectories at altitude & mastering the art of lying still – In the Army Now Ep.13
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Surviving an MRLS ‘Grad’ attack – In the Army Now Ep.14
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Operating an APC BTR-82A & frying an egg on armour – In the Army Now Ep.15
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Psychological assault course final – In the Army Now Ep.16
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At army survival school – In the Army Now Ep.17
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Military survival test: Ambushed, shot at, and gassed – In the Army Now Ep.18
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Surviving a freezing night in the woods – In the Army Now Ep.19
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At the Marine assault course in Vladivostok – In the Army Now Ep.20
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Detecting landmines & preparing APCs for the high seas – In the Army Now Ep.21
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Destroying a ‘terrorist stronghold’ with Russian Marines – In the Army Now Ep.22
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Training with Russian Paratroopers on the Black Sea – In The Army Now Ep.23
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Russian mountain division obstacle course – In the Army Now Ep.24
Operating an APC BTR-82A & frying an egg on armour – In the Army Now Ep.15
Anna and Pavel continue to serve in the Russian Army in Tajikistan but this time they move to another garrison, 100 km from the capital. Here, in the city of Qurghonteppa, the 191st Motor Rifle Regiment is deployed. The Russian soldiers have to contend with challenging high altitude conditions and scorching temperatures of over 50°C.
Related: A paratrooper's life: Mountain division
The journalists’ task is to learn to operate an armoured vehicle, BTR-82A. To do that, they have to work as a team with one of them driving the heavy-duty combat vehicle while the other takes aim and shoots at targets. Anna chooses to go behind the wheel as she’s a confident car driver in civilian life. However, Pavel’s imperfect eyesight may be an impediment to him becoming a sharpshooter.
Related: Downed in the wilderness, he lost both legs but kept on flying
They need to split up to learn their individual skills. Once their training is over, they’ll be able to demonstrate their newly-acquired abilities in a joint mission. Before setting off, Pavel wants to take the edge off his hunger and put another myth to the test: is it possible to fry an egg on the searing-hot armour on the outside of an APC?