Russia has said that it has fired rockets at Ukrainian military positions using ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket systems.

The footage shows one of the Russian ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) manoeuvring into position in a field before two Russian soldiers can be seen performing targeting calculations.

A soldier can then be seen preparing the rockets to fire.

The images then show an aircraft flying overhead before the MLRS fires a salvo of missiles, with the images then purporting to show them hitting Ukrainian positions on the battlefield.

The video then shows three MLRS vehicles manoeuvring away to avoid return fire as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, 15th February, along with a statement saying: “Artillery units of the Western Military District, in the course of the special military operation, continue to carry out fire missions to destroy artillery batteries of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, destroy camouflaged defensive structures, suppress command posts, destroy enemy fire weapons, weapons and military equipment, using the tactics of frequent changes in firing positions.

“During aerial reconnaissance, crews of unmanned aerial vehicle complexes revealed the camouflaged positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and transmitted information to the artillery command post.

“After receiving the coordinates of the targets from the UAV operators, the Grad MLRS crews struck at the identified enemy positions.

“Rocket projectiles were fired at a given square. We need to change position immediately. UAVs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, their sabotage and reconnaissance groups have already rushed to search for the Grads, trying to attack the trail.

“After striking, the MLRS crews always leave the firing position at maximum speed. Reloading of the Grad MLRS is carried out in spare areas, after which they move to new firing positions to strike at newly identified targets.

“The fire of the batteries of the Western Military District is carried out on targets using the carousel tactics, when one battery leaves for positions, the other is already reloading, and the third moves to a new firing position. Thus, frequent change of positions and charging allows you to inflict maximum damage on the enemy and be outside the zone of aimed fire of their artillery.

“Artillery fire is corrected and targets destroyed are recorded using the calculations of unmanned aerial vehicle complexes, which transmit the results of fire damage to the artillery command post in real time.

“In the same ranks with the artillerymen of the Western Military District, combat missions are performed by military personnel called up from the reserve as part of partial mobilization, who have completed the full cycle of training and combat coordination at the training grounds of the Western Military District, incl. in the rear areas of the special military operation.

“Fire and tactical training – every day for several hours.

“In order to quickly adapt the military to the combat situation, all training sessions at the training grounds were conducted under the guidance of experienced instructors who shared their rich combat experience, acquired during the special military operation.

“At the training grounds, mobilised [soldiers] and volunteers worked out scenarios for a real battle. They remembered not only how to shoot, but also how to move as part of the units.

“All citizens who arrived from the reserve had previously served in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. A number of servicemen have combat experience.”

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 357th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 15th February 2023, Russia had lost about 139,770 personnel, 3,290 tanks, 6,507 armoured combat vehicles, 2,303 artillery units, 466 multiple launch rocket systems, 236 air defence systems, 298 warplanes, 286 helicopters, 2,011 drones, 857 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,161 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 219 units of special equipment.

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

NATO members are meeting in Brussels today for the final day of a summit to discuss military support for Ukraine.

Oleksii Reznikov, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, has taken part in the discussions in Brussels and he said that his current objectives included the protection of Ukraine’s airspace, as well as “strengthening the tank coalition”, securing enough ammunition, and setting up further training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, among other goals.

Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, has urged members to increase the production of ammunition for Ukraine and cautioned that Russia was preparing for new offensives.

He added that discussions regarding supplying Ukraine with fighter jets were on the agenda but that it was “not the most urgent issue now”.

General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said that Russia has lost “strategically, operationally and tactically”, adding that Moscow was “paying an enormous price on the battlefield”.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said that he expects that Ukraine will carry out an offensive against Russia in the spring.

Austin added that while Russia is introducing new troops onto the battlefield, many of them are poorly trained and poorly equipped.

Austin also said that Russia had “inflicted a year of tragedy and terror” on Ukraine.

Boris Pistorius, the German Minister of Defence, said on Tuesday that while providing Ukraine with combat aircraft was not currently a focus, it would certainly be discussed and securing airspace over Ukraine is a priority.

He said: “Only when the skies over Ukraine remain safe over the next three, four months, then you can talk about all other further steps.”

Pistorius said that Germany has agreed with defence company Rheinmetall to resume producing ammunition for Gepard anti-aircraft guns, which Germany decommissioned from its own military in 2010 but which it has been providing to Ukraine.

Pistorius said: “We will quickly start our own production of Gepard ammunition at Rheinmetall. I am very happy we have been able to guarantee the delivery of this important part of air defence.”

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, the infamous Russian mercenary organisation, has said that the battle for Bakhmut, which Russia has been trying to take for six months, is far from over.

Prigozhin claimed Ukraine was reinforcing the area with up to 500 new soldiers every day.

He added: “Bakhmut will not be taken tomorrow, because there is heavy resistance and grinding, the meat grinder is working.”

Prigozhin also said: “We will not be celebrating in the near future.”

The White House has said that Russian forces have made some progress in the last days with their assault on Bakhmut but it is currently unclear if they will manage to take it.

The US National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, said that if Bakhmut were to fall, “it would not have a strategic impact on the overall war.”

A British national has died in Ukraine, according to the British government. Their identity is not yet known but that would reportedly make them the eighth Briton to have died in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war in February 2022.