Russia has said that it has destroyed Ukrainian positions using self-propelled artillery.
The footage purports to show a Russian ‘Msta-S’ self-propelled artillery vehicle manoeuvring into position from a forested area before opening fire on unseen positions.
The footage then appears to cut to drone images of explosions on the ground, presumably Ukrainian positions being hit.
The Russian war machine can then be seen manoeuvring away to avoid return fire as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, 18th May, along with a statement claiming: “Crews of ‘Msta-S’ 2S19 self-propelled artillery mounts of the Southern Military District performed fire missions to destroy the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The Russian MoD added: “Artillerymen of the Southern Military District, supporting the actions of motorized rifle units of the Russian Armed Forces, disrupted the rotation of Ukrainian nationalists in tactical directions and prevent the enemy from transferring reserves to the line of contact.
“Crews of ‘Msta-S’ 152-mm self-propelled howitzers in the course of performing fire missions use high-explosive, high-explosive fragmentation, as well as high-precision ammunition, which allows inflicting maximum damage to fortifications, buried concrete command posts, armoured vehicles and enemy manpower. Firing is conducted at ranges up to 30 kilometres.
“Advancing to the firing line to destroy targets at the received coordinates, after pointing the gun, the servicemen destroy the camouflaged positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with quick fire.
“After live firing, the gunners change their firing positions and replenish their ammunition load.
“Adjustment of artillery fire and recording of the destruction of targets is carried out with the help of reconnaissance and surveillance complexes.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 449th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 18th May 2023, Russia had lost about 201,100 personnel, 3,773 tanks, 7,373 armoured combat vehicles, 3,198 artillery units, 563 multiple launch rocket systems, 318 air defence systems, 308 warplanes, 294 helicopters, 2,759 drones, 990 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,073 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 418 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The Black Sea grain deal has been extended for an additional two months, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying that it was “good news for the world”.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said that Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told a top Chinese diplomat during talks in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv that his country would not accept any peace proposals that involved freezing the conflict or losing territory.
On Wednesday, Ukraine denied that a Russian hypersonic missile had taken out a US-made Patriot missile defence system during an air strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
US officials have said that a Patriot missile defence system had most likely been damaged but did not appear to have been destroyed.
Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi has said that his side has made fresh advances in Bakhmut. He reportedly said: “We are successfully conducting a defensive operation, counterattacking and during this day our units have penetrated up to 500 metres in some parts of the Bakhmut front.”
UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace has said that Britain can help Ukraine’s military by enabling other countries to supply fighter jets and other military equipment if they wish to do so.
He said: “What we can obviously contribute is training and support, again, within limits, because we don’t have F16 pilots.”
