This headcam footage shows Ukrainian soldiers defending a trench in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, with them being shelled and targeted by a sniper, as well as other enemy troops.
They can be seen tossing grenades and opening fire on the enemy while fighting to defend a shallow trench, reportedly from three different directions at once.
The soldier with the head cam can be seen at one point providing covering fire with his assault rifle, while his colleague mans what appears to be a .50 calibre heavy machine gun and returns fire on the enemy.
The images were obtained from the Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky Independent Presidential Regiment on 4th November along with a statement saying: “The action camera of our fighter with the call sign ‘Bourne’ recorded an attempt by the Rashists to attack our positions. The occupiers tried to ‘enter’ from three directions at once, a sniper was working, and there was active shelling from a grenade launcher – bullets and shells whistled directly overhead!”
The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
‘Rashist’ is a term that is often used by the Ukrainian forces when referring to the Russian invaders. It is a combination of the words ‘Russia’ and ‘fascism’.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 257th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 7th November, Russia had lost about 76,460 personnel, 2,771 tanks, 5,630 armoured combat vehicles, 1,782 artillery units, 391 multiple launch rocket systems, 202 air defence systems, 277 warplanes, 260 helicopters, 1,472 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,199 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 157 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine is preparing for further electricity blackouts and new Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that Russia “is concentrating forces and means for a possible repetition of massive attacks on our infrastructure, primarily energy.”
About 500 power generators are reportedly being sent to Ukraine by 17 European Union countries.
Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, has said that residents should prepare for a worst-case scenario and make plans to evacuate the city.
Klitschko said: “If you have extended family or friends outside Kyiv, where there is autonomous water supply, an oven, heating, please keep in mind the possibility of staying there for a certain amount of time.”
Moscow has accused Ukraine of “sabotage” after the city of Kherson was reportedly cut off from electricity and water on Sunday following an airstrike on the Kakhovka dam.
American officials have reportedly told the Ukrainian government that it needs to signal an openness to negotiate with Moscow, with US officials in Washington warning that “Ukraine fatigue” could get worse should Kyiv continue to remain closed to negotiations and with Ukraine’s allies worrying about the economic fallout from a lengthy conflict.
There has reportedly been fierce fighting in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, with President Zelensky saying that Russia is driving inexperienced soldiers “to their deaths”.
He said that “very fierce Russian attacks in the Donetsk region continue”, adding: “The enemy suffers serious losses there, but despite everything, despite any losses, he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] continues to drive his mobilised soldiers and mercenaries to their deaths.”
