Members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shell Russian positions with an AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher set up for full-defilade firing.

Full defilade firing is when a machine gun is set up in a position of complete defilade. From this position of defilade, the weapon system and the team are completely covered from direct return fire from enemy forces, and are able to accurately put rounds on target. This high-angle firing technique has been around for a long time, but until recently, it hasn't been used very often in modern combat. In Ukraine, we have seen this technique utilized often and with great impact on the battlefield.

This is a fundamental technique that armed forces around the world should be mastering.