Russia has said that it has destroyed Ukrainian positions using a Solntsepek multiple launch rocket system.

The Solntsepek is capable of firing thermobaric warheads and this footage purports to show it taking out Ukrainian military positions.

The footage begins by showing a Russian soldier climbing into the vehicle before it can be seen targeting its weapon at an unseen target.

The footage then cuts to a person running towards a building in an urban area, with the images showing an explosion hitting a building nearby before the rest of the area is also apparently targeted.

The vehicle can be seen putting away its weapon as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, 21st February, along with a statement claiming: “Eastern MD [Military District] Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system crews continue launching devastating strikes against AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] fortified positions.

“Fire adjustment is based on reconnaissance data.

“The flamethrower system operators continue the offensive of the Pacific Fleet’s Marines. The projectiles, launched by the Solntsepyok systems, clear their path.”

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 364th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 22nd February 2023, Russia had lost about 145,060 personnel, 3,334 tanks, 6,569 armoured combat vehicles, 2,345 artillery units, 471 multiple launch rocket systems, 243 air defence systems, 299 warplanes, 287 helicopters, 2,026 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,212 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 226 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 marked the first year of the full-scale war after Russia invaded Ukraine with a major speech in Warsaw saying that “Kyiv stands strong”.

Biden praised Ukraine’s resilience against Russia’s aggression and said it was a triumph of democracy over autocracy. He also reiterated the West’s support for Ukraine.

He told a crowd of about 30,000 people, many waving Polish, US and Ukrainian flags: “One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv.

“Well, I’ve just come from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report, Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most important, it stands free.”

Biden’s speech came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a lengthy, televised, national address to the Russian parliament in which he blamed Western powers for starting the war in Ukraine, which he again referred to as a “special military operation”.

Putin also announced that he was suspending Russia’s participation with the United States in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary-General, said that he regretted Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the treaty, urging Moscow to reconsider its position.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops were holding their positions on the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

Zelensky’s statement comes after Russia said that it was advancing on its goals in the area.

Russian strikes in southern Ukraine’s city of Kherson have left at least six people dead and 12 injured.

Austria has been criticised for allowing 18 Russian Members of Parliament to attend a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on Friday on the first anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Austria, which is not a NATO member, was also criticised for inviting the Russian attendees to a nationalist ball.

Austria’s far-right Freedom party (FPOe) has reportedly invited the Russian MPs to its annual black-tie nationalist ball at the Hofburg Palace, which is the permanent seat of the OSCE.

Ukraine has said that it will boycott the meeting, saying that Russia would take advantage of the event to “justify its aggression” and “whitewash war crimes”.