Mobilised Russian Soldiers Carry Out Mine-Clearing And Urban Warfare Exercises

These images purport to show mobilised Russian soldiers carrying out mine-clearing and urban warfare exercises.

The footage begins by showing the fresh Russian soldiers learning to clear mines with a special type of rocket launcher.

They can then be seen learning the rudiments of urban warfare and house-to-house combat, practising taking a building by storming it with their assault rifles. One soldier can be seen throwing a grenade into a window before he and his colleagues duck and wait for it to explode.

The footage then ends by showing the recruits practising some tactics in a wooded area.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, 6th December, along with a statement claiming: “Mobilised military personnel called up from the regions of the Far East are improving their professional skills at one of the training grounds located in the rear area of the special military operation.

“With units staffed by mobilized ones, exercises are being conducted to practice assault actions in urban areas with the support of artillery and armoured vehicles. At the same time, UR-77 ‘Meteorite’ self-propelled rocket launchers for mine clearance are used to make passages in minefields.

“Every day these workouts become more intense. Experienced officers, who have been participating in a special military operation from the first days, help the mobilized to master the skills of real urban combat.

“The commander of the Typhoon assault detachment, which almost entirely consists of the mobilised from the Eastern Military District, praised the actions of his subordinates during the tactical exercise: ‘We acted well, competently, confidently. There is, of course, something to aspire to, but there can be no trifles here and there never are.

‘Every time we go out for exercises, we are already ready to lend a shoulder to each other. Cohesion is felt within the unit. In battle, there is nothing more important than understanding your comrade.'”

Russian mobilized soldiers conduct assault exercise in urban areas in the occupied parts of Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian MoD on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 286th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 6th December, Russia had lost about 92,200 personnel, 2,929 tanks, 5,905 armoured combat vehicles, 1,915 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,587 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,505 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country is switching to emergency shutdowns to stabilise the electricity grid after Russia launched a fresh wave of missiles at civilian infrastructure on Monday.

The Ukrainian General Staff has said that over 60 Russian missiles were shot down.

Russian mobilized soldiers destroyed house during the assault exercise in urban areas in the occupied parts of Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian MoD on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

President Zelensky said that many regions were affected, with the local authorities warning that approximately half of the Kyiv region would be without power over the next few days.

At least four people were killed in the Russian strikes on Monday.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has claimed that Ukrainian drones attacked two airbases in Ryazan and Saratov in south-central Russia.

They said that three servicemen had been killed and four more had been wounded, with two aircraft left damaged.

Ukraine has not yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, which would be its deepest yet inside Russia’s borders since the beginning of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

The NGO Statewatch has said that Canadian-made parts have been found in Iranian-made Shahed 136 ‘kamikaze’ drones.

Statewatch also said that components from 30 American and European companies were also found to have been used in the drones.

Iran has been accused of supplying Russia with a large quantity of Shahed 136 drones.

Russian mobilized soldiers conduct assault exercise in urban areas in the occupied parts of Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Russian MoD on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Newsflash)

Moscow has claimed that while the new Western-led price cap on Russian oil will destabilise the world’s energy markets, it would not affect its invasion of Ukraine.

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was preparing a response to the move by the G7 and allies.

John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said that the oil price cap would not have any long-term impact on global oil prices.