Russia has said that it has hit Ukrainian fortified positions, equipment and manpower using BM-21 ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket systems.
The footage shows the Russian war machines being loaded with ordnance in a snowy forested area before they are seen manoeuvring into position in a clearing.
They can then be seen firing a salvo of rockets at unseen targets.
The images then cut to a number of explosions in a forested area, presumably Ukrainian targets being hit.
The footage then shows at least one of the Russian military vehicles manoeuvring away to avoid return fire.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 13th March, along with a statement claiming: “Crews of BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems of the Central Military District (TsVO) support the offensive of motorised rifle formations, striking at fortified areas, equipment and manpower of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Combat vehicles operate from a variety of pre-equipped firing lines, excellent training and teamwork of crews allows you to strike and change position in less than 10 minutes.
“High accuracy of fire is provided by unmanned aircraft operators and advanced artillery reconnaissance detachments, which transmit the coordinates of targets to the battery commander. A streamlined system of interaction allows you to quickly strike at the enemy faster than he has time to react.”
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 383rd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 13th March 2023, Russia had lost about 159,800 personnel, 3,474 tanks, 6,774 armoured combat vehicles, 2,503 artillery units, 493 multiple launch rocket systems, 259 air defence systems, 304 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,109 drones, 907 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,354 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 251 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 awarded the Hero of Ukraine title to a PoW who was executed on camera with a machine gun after being captured by Russian forces.
Zelensky said: “Today I conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine upon Oleksandr Matsievskyi, a soldier.
“A man whom all Ukrainians will know. A man who will be remembered forever. For his bravery, for his confidence in Ukraine and for his ‘Glory to Ukraine!’”
The Hero of Ukraine title is the highest national title that can be conferred upon an individual citizen by the President of Ukraine.
Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian President of Belarus, has arrived in Iran for an official visit to discuss “trade and economic cooperation”.
Ukraine and Russia have both claimed that hundreds of enemy soldiers had been killed in the last 24 hours in the battle for Bakhmut.
Hulusi Akar, the Minister of Defence of Turkey, has said that he believes that the Ukrainian grain export deal will be extended beyond its deadline of 18th March.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, however, said that its representatives had not yet taken part in any negotiations to extend the deal.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, has told Ukraine to stay out of Georgia’s politics.
The criticism comes after Ukrainian leadership expressed support for protesters in Tbilisi.
The Georgian Prime Minister labelled comments from Ukrainian leadership as a “direct intervention” in his country’s domestic politics, telling his Ukrainian counterpart to “take care of yourself and your country, and we will take care of our country”.
