Russia has said that it has used multiple launch rocket systems to fire thermobaric missiles at Ukrainian troops.

The footage purports to show one of the Russian war machines manoeuvring into position, emerging from a forested area onto a dirt track.

The Russian multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), reportedly a Solntsepek system, can then be seen preparing to fire its missiles.

The war machine unleashes a deadly salvo of its ordnance, fires them into the air, with the images then cutting to explosions in a forested area, supposedly showing the Ukrainian positions being hit.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 27th March, along with a statement claiming: “The crews of heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1A ‘Solntsepek’ of the Central Military District continue to carry out combat missions as part of the special military operation.”

The Russian MoD added: “Thus, strike units of the troops of radiation, chemical and biological (RCB) protection deliver blows with thermobaric unguided missiles at the enemy hiding in strong points and in deep shelters. In addition, the crews of heavy flamethrower systems cover the actions of assault motorized rifle units.

“TOS ‘Solntsepek’ is considered one of the priority targets for the enemy. To ensure security and prevent sabotage, the combat work of the crews of the Solntsepekov is covered by security groups.”

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 397th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 27th March 2023, Russia had lost about 171,160 personnel, 3,595 tanks, 6,953 armoured combat vehicles, 2,638 artillery units, 523 multiple launch rocket systems, 277 air defence systems, 305 warplanes, 291 helicopters, 2,216 drones, 911 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,493 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 285 units of special equipment.

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

NATO has criticised Russia over its “dangerous and irresponsible” nuclear rhetoric after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Ukraine has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting over Moscow’s decision to place nuclear weapons in Belarus.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it represented “another provocative step” by Russia that undermined “the international security system as a whole”.

Ukraine’s Secretary of National Security, Oleksiy Danilov, said that the Kremlin was making Belarus a “nuclear hostage”.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has warned Belarus against hosting nuclear weapons from Russia.

He said: “Belarus hosting Russian nuclear weapons would mean an irresponsible escalation and threat to European security. Belarus can still stop it, it is their choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his fellow Ukrainians to remain engaged with developments to do with the war despite fighting largely being concentrated in the east of the country.

He said: “Now, just as it was a year ago, one cannot be mentally far from the war, although thanks to our soldiers, real hostilities are taking place geographically far from many.”

Zelensky also said that he had had a number of meetings with the Ukrainian intelligence and defence sectors to discuss reinforcement and “preparing respective steps”.

He also said that his country had received EUR 1.5 billion in financial assistance from the European Union and that Croatia has adopted a programme to help treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

Vitaliy Barabash, Ukraine’s head of the military administration of Avdiivka, said that Russian shelling was turning the town into a “place from post-apocalyptic movies”.

Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Hanna Maliar, has urged Ukrainians to avoid openly discussing details regarding any upcoming offensives against Russia, saying: “On live broadcasts, don’t ask experts questions [like] ‘how is the counter-offensive going?’, don’t write blogs or posts on this topic, and don’t discuss military plans of our army publicly at all.

“We have one strategic plan – to liberate all our territories. And as for the details – that’s simply a military secret.”