Russia has said that its artillery have taken out Ukrainian military targets including a UAV control centre and a mortar crew.
The images show Russian D-20 howitzers firing at Ukrainian military positions on the frontlines.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Monday, 18th March, along with a statement claiming: “Crews of the D-20 howitzer of the 3rd Army Corps of the “Southern” group of forces destroyed a control centre for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a mortar crew of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) in the Artemovsk direction of the special military operation.
“In order to prevent the opening of the firing position, the artillerymen worked in the dark. The personnel of the crew inflicted fire on identified targets. At this time, a UAV was on duty in the sky, and scouts helped the artillerymen adjust the fire.
The commander of the D-20 gun with the call sign ‘Tagil’ added: “Today we destroyed a mortar crew and a UAV crew along with a support group in the dugout. The main task in our direction is precisely the destruction of enemy dugouts and strongholds.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia Says Its Forces Destroyed Western Made Military Equipment
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 18th March 2024, Russia had lost approximately 431,550 personnel, 6,809 tanks, 13,014 armoured combat vehicles, 10,668 artillery units, 1,017 multiple launch rocket systems, 720 air defence systems, 347 warplanes, 325 helicopters, 8,308 drones, 1,922 cruise missiles, 26 warships, 1 submarine, 14,141 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,731 units of special equipment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed a landslide victory in Russia’s presidential election, securing a fifth term.
He captured 87.14 per cent of the vote, with turnout reported to be at a historic high of 74 per cent of the electorate, according to Russian media.
In his victory speech, Putin addressed the war in Ukraine, emphasising efforts to secure the border and strengthen Russia’s defences.
He said that his main priorities as president include addressing the conflict in Ukraine and bolstering military capabilities.
When asked about the potential for conflict with NATO. He acknowledged the possibility in the modern world but expressed the view that no one wants a full-scale third world war.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Putin for holding another election, calling it a sham and saying that Putin is addicted to power. He reiterated that Putin should face trial in The Hague for his actions.
Ukraine has launched 35 drones into Russia, targeting various locations, including the capital region. The operation sparked a fire at an oil refinery and disrupted electricity supplies in border areas but caused no direct casualties.
Russia Says Its Forces Destroyed Ukrainian Stronghold
The Russian Ministry of Defence has accused Kyiv of attempting to sabotage the presidential election following one of the largest air operations on Russian territory since the invasion two years ago.
Ukraine has reported over 60 shelling incidents by Russia near their border, resulting in one death in the Sumy district. Earlier. A Russian missile attack on the Black Sea port city of Mykolaiv killed one person and wounded at least eight others, according to Ukrainian officials.
A drone strike in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria on Sunday destroyed a helicopter and caused a fire. According to authorities in the pro-Russia area, who blamed Ukraine for the attack.
However, Moldova’s Bureau for Reintegration Policies stated that video footage did not confirm any attack on Transnistria and called it an attempt to spread fear and panic.
They also noted that the military equipment destroyed in the footage had not been operational for several years.
