Russia has claimed that it has taken out Western-made military equipment using kamikaze drones.
The footage purports to show a Russian kamikaze drone honing in on the Western-made military armoured vehicles and hitting it.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Thursday, 29th February, along with a statement claiming: “Calculations of the combat use of high-precision loitering ammunition “Lancet” by units of unmanned motorized rifle aircraft of the “Vostok” group of troops successfully hit armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including those produced by NATO countries, during combat operations in the South Donetsk direction of a special military operation.
“The head of the UAV crew of the Vostok group of forces with the call sign ‘Irbis’ added: During the time our crew worked in this direction, more than ten types of weapons and military equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed, including NATO models including Polish-made Crab self-propelled guns, British-made Stormer anti-aircraft missile systems, and AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems, also foreign-made.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 29th February 2024. Russia had lost approximately 413,760 personnel, 6,593 tanks, 12,552 armoured combat vehicles. 10,070 artillery units, 1,000 multiple launch rocket systems, 690 air defence systems, 342 warplanes, 325 helicopters, 7,768 drones, 1,912 cruise missiles, 25 warships, 1 submarine, 13,152 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,601 units of special equipment.
Ukrainian Forces Take Out Russian Troops And Military Equipment On Frontlines
Russia claims its forces have re-entered the village of Robotyne, which Ukraine had retaken in August 2023.
According to Russia’s state-run Interfax news agency, the defence ministry says troops have taken over some buildings, but it is unclear if Ukrainian troops have completely withdrawn.
There has been no confirmation from reliable sources.
Robotyne lies between Avdiivka and Kherson, and southeast of Zaporizhzhia, on the frontlines of the Zaporizhzhia oblast.
Ukraine’s forces have shot down 10 Russian aircraft in as many days, including two Su-34 fighter-bombers on 27th February, according to the Ukrainian General Staff.
The UK government stated on Wednesday that Ukraine’s use of donated cruise missiles is the business of its armed forces. Responding to remarks by Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz about potential UK and French involvement in targeting.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry warned against Russian interference in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria. Citing concerns over separatist leaders seeking “protection” from Moscow, a tactic previously used by Russia to justify invasions.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested joint arms production with south-eastern European countries. Proposing a defence forum and signing a declaration with 10 nations supporting a peace summit in Switzerland this spring at a summit in Tirana.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has discussed a potential temporary border closure with Ukraine over grain tensions, but Ukrainian Deputy PM Kubrakov has stated that Ukraine does not plan to close its borders. Emphasising the importance of border stability during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
