This is the moment a Ukrainian kamikaze drone hits the open hatch of a moving Russian tank on a dirt track in the Soledar area with pinpoint precision.
The footage, shot from the drone, shows it approaching its target.
The Russian tank can be seen driving along a dirt track before the drone hits it, apparently hitting its open hatch.
The images were obtained from the K2 Combat Group of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 6th March, along with a statement saying that they hit an “open tank hatch” in Seversk-Soledar area with a kamikaze drone.
They added: “The distance to the target was too far, the drone’s battery was dying… But! It was possible to hit not just the tank, but the open hatch of the enemy tank, which was heading for the position. As a bonus, the head of the crew commander was sticking out of that hatch. As a result, the Russian tank needs repair, the crew commander listens to Kobzon, the fate of the crew is unknown and uninteresting.”
Iosif Davydovich Kobzon was a Russian singer, known for his crooner style, who died in 2018.
The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and by Operational Command ‘East’ of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 377th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 7th March 2023, Russia had lost about 154,830 personnel, 3,432 tanks, 6,714 armoured combat vehicles, 2,456 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 253 air defence systems, 303 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,095 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,323 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 236 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 committed to holding the contested city of Bakhmut despite being partially encircled by the Russians, saying that “no part of Ukraine” can “be abandoned”.
Both Ukraine and Russia are apparently struggling with an ammunition shortage, with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Russian mercenary organisation Wagner, saying that his representative had been denied access to the headquarters of Russia’s invasion force after he repeatedly complained about an ammunition shortage.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister, has visited Mariupol to inspect “Russian reconstruction efforts of infrastructure”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted in absentia for “conspiracy to seize power” and treason.
Tsikhanouskaya said that the verdict was punishment for trying to promote democracy.
The UK Ministry of Defence has said that there is a “realistic possibility” that Russia is going to re-equip its tank force with T-62s, first used in 1954, in a bid to make up for a shortfall in armour.
The tanks are reportedly destined for units that had been waiting for next-generation T-14 Armata main battle tanks.
