Description:
The AS Val "Shaft" (Russian: АС «Вал»; Автома́т Специа́льный, romanized: Avtomát Spetsiálny "Val", lit. 'Special Automatic') and VSS Vintorez "Thread Cutter" (Russian: ВСС «Винторе́з» Винто́вка Сна́йперская Специа́льная, romanized: Vintóvka Snáyperskaya Spetsiálnaya "Vintorez", lit. 'Special "Sniper" Rifle'), 6P30 and 6P29 (GRAU designation) respectively, were a Soviet-designed assault rifle featuring an integral suppressor based on the prototype RG-036 completed in 1981 by TsNIITochMash. The two rifles hereafter are referred to as the Vintorez and Val. The Vintorez (beginning in 1983) and Val (beginning in 1985) were developed by TsNIITochMash to replace modified general-purpose firearms, such as the AKS-74UB, BS-1, APB, and PB, for clandestine operations, much like the PSS Vul. Manufacturing began at the Tula Arms Plant after its adoption by the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union in 1987.
Both the AS Val and VSS Vintorez were issued to Soviet troops since the late 1980s. They were used during the First Chechen War in 1994 and the Second Chechen War in 1999, though they remained relatively osbcure amongst Western intelligence agencies and similar organizations until the Russians deployed troops to South Ossetia during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008. During the conflict, both Russian and Georgian forces used the VSS Vintorez. They were also seen in use by Russian Spetsnaz during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
The VSS Vintorez was used in small numbers by Ukrainian peacekeepers in Iraq from 2003−2005. By 2014, it was no longer in use by any security forces in Ukraine. According to Militarnyi, the VSS was retired from service due to the lack of ammo.
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