These images purport to show mobilised Russian soldiers training to use anti-tank guided missile systems in Siberia.
The footage begins by showing the mobilised soldiers firing live rockets from Igla man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile systems into the sky in snowy conditions.
The images then show a Shturm-S anti-tank guided missile armoured vehicle firing live rockets into the sky as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 25th November, along with a statement claiming: “Mobilised servicemen in Siberia perform live firing from Igla MANPADS and Shturm-S ATGMs.
“Military personnel called up as part of partial mobilisation at the training grounds of the Central Military District in Siberia are practising the skills of destroying air targets from the Igla MANPADS, as well as armoured vehicles of a mock enemy from Shturm-S anti-tank missile systems (ATGM).
“In the course of firing from the Igla MANPADS, air targets imitate lighting mines fired from the 120-mm Sani mortar. The servicemen of the air defence units are working out the tasks of masking the firing position and transferring the complex from travelling to combat.
“Crews of Shturm-S anti-tank missile systems are improving their skills in destroying “enemy” armoured vehicles with the help of guided missiles, having previously completed the tasks of selecting and equipping positions for firing.”
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 275th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 25th November, Russia had lost about 86,150 personnel, 2,899 tanks, 5,844 armoured combat vehicles, 1,895 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,553 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,404 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.
Petro Kotin, the head of the Ukrainian nuclear power company Energoatom, has said that Moscow is risking a nuclear catastrophe after all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants were disconnected from the main power grid for the first time in 40 years.
Kotin said: “There is a real danger of a nuclear and radiation catastrophe being caused by firing on the entire territory of Ukraine with Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, and a huge risk of damage to nuclear plants. Russia must answer for this shameful crime.”
Ukraine was expecting three of its nuclear power plants to be operational again by Thursday evening, according to Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The Kyiv office for The Hague-based International Commission on Missing Persons has said that over 15,000 people have gone missing so far in the war.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that G7 Foreign Ministers will discuss during a meeting next week in Bucharest how to continue supporting Ukraine and ensure that it has a steady energy supply over the winter.
European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to Finland that the EU is putting in place a ninth sanctions package on Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia’s strategy of attempting to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure would not weaken the country’s resolve to liberate all its territory that is currently occupied by Moscow, calling the conflict a “war of strength and resilience”.
Zelensky said on Thursday evening: “Together we endured nine months of full-scale war and Russia has not found a way to break us, and will not find one.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Hungary would ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership early next year. Hungary and Turkey are the only members of the Alliance who have yet to ratify their accession.
British Foreign Minister James Cleverly has said during a visit to Ukraine that the United Kingdom will pledge millions of pounds to help Kyiv throughout the winter.
