Pro-Russian LPR Says Its Army Is Advancing With Support From Russian Air Force

The so-called Luhansk People’s Republic has claimed that its army is advancing on Ukrainian positions with the support of the Russian Air Force.

These images reportedly show a Russian warplane providing air support to the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), apparently hitting unseen Ukrainian positions on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine.

The images were obtained from the People’s Militia of the LPR on Thursday, 17th November, along with a statement claiming that they show how the “aviation of the Russian Armed Forces provides air support to the advancing forces of the 2 AK in the disputed area.”

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

Bombs fall and explode in the Spirne settlement area, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Aviation of the RF Armed Forces provides air support to the 2nd Army Corps of the People’s Militia of the LPR against Ukrainian troops. (@millnr/Newsflash)

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 267th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 17th November, Russia had lost about 83,110 personnel, 2,878 tanks, 5,804 armoured combat vehicles, 1,860 artillery units, 393 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,531 drones, 474 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,362 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 160 units of special equipment.

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

US President Joe Biden has questioned Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s claim that the missile that landed in Poland on 15th November was not of Ukrainian origin.

Bombs fall in the Spirne settlement area, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Aviation of the RF Armed Forces provides air support to the 2nd Army Corps of the People’s Militia of the LPR against Ukrainian troops. (@millnr/Newsflash)

NATO and Poland have surmised that the missile – which landed near the border with Ukraine, killing two – likely strayed after being fired by Ukraine’s air defences.

A Polish-American team is investigating the blast scene, while Kyiv has also demanded access.

The Verkhovna Rada – the unicameral parliament of Ukraine – has extended martial law and general mobilisation for 90 more days, until 19th February 2023.

President Zelensky said today that the UN-backed agreement that allows Ukrainian grain exports safe passage through the Black Sea will be extended by 120 days.

Russian SU-34 drops bombs in the Spirne settlement area, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Aviation of the RF Armed Forces provides air support to the 2nd Army Corps of the People’s Militia of the LPR against Ukrainian troops. (@millnr/Newsflash)

The UK Ministry of Defence said in a report released this morning: “Over the afternoon of 15 November, Russia carried out up to 80 long range missile strikes, mostly against power infrastructure targets across Ukraine.

“This is likely the largest number of strikes that Russia has conducted in a single day since the first week of the invasion.”