Welcome to Russia, Where Giant Military Hovercrafts Land on Crowded Beaches (Just Watch)

An ominous hovercraft sending up a huge plume of mist as it approaches a beach full of sunbathers might sound like something out of a sci-fi film, but it's apparently just a "normal event" in Russia.

A giant military hovercraft is exactly what those on a beach in Mechnikovo looked up to see Sunday, according to the Russian news outlet Komsomolskaya Pravda (via Google Translate).

Russia's defense ministry said in a statement the hovercraft was conducting a training exercise. (Image via YouTube video screenshot)

The amphibious hovercraft dubbed "Bison" was reportedly conducting what the Ministry of Defense said were tactical measures, landing on a beach that belongs to the military.

"Mooring on the beach - this is normal," Komsomolskaya Pravda reported of the ministry's statement. What was unclear was "what people were doing on the beach in military training."

The ministry claimed the military owned the beach and was unsure why it was filled with sunbathers. (Image via YouTube video screenshot)

Khmelevka, where the military would usually conduct training, was a few kilometers away from this beach, according to Komsomolskaya Pravda.

The footage looks pretty surreal though, even if the tabloid newspaper does claim it confirmed the the event's occurrence with the defense ministry (one can't be too careful after North Korea's Photoshop fail with hovercrafts).

Check out the footage to see what you think:

Gear Patrol describes the Zubr LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushioned) as the "world's largest hovercraft." It reportedly has the ability to carry up to three tanks or 10 personnel carriers with 140 soldiers at a top speed of 40 knots (about 50 miles per hour).

(H/T: Gizmodo)

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