Russia has said that its paratroopers have stormed a Ukrainian stronghold north-west of Bakhmut, as these images purport to show.

The FPV footage shows Russian soldiers riding in an armoured vehicle before deploying onto the frozen battlefield amidst the sounds of gunshots.

Explosions can also be heard as the Russian forces engage in a firefight with unseen Ukrainian forces.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, 18th January, along a statement claiming: “Russian paratroopers stormed a Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold northwest of Artemovsk [Bakhmut].

“We are publishing footage from the action camera of one of the Russian servicemen.

Paratroopers Destroyed Two Ukrainian Armoured Vehicles Near Bakhmut

“The assault units of the Ivanovo and Yaroslavl paratroopers from the ‘Southern’ group of forces, continuing to improve the position of the Russian units along the front line, captured another stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“During aerial reconnaissance of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the paratroopers uncovered the main firing points and shelters with a concentration of enemy infantry. Airborne artillerymen inflicted fire damage and suppressed identified targets. Then the military personnel of the ‘winged infantry’ quickly captured the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by storm from several directions.”

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 694th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 18th January 2024. Russia had lost approximately 373,600 personnel, 6,147 tanks, 11,410 armoured combat vehicles, 8,835 artillery units, 966 multiple launch rocket systems. 653 air defence systems, 331 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 6,925 drones, 1,818 cruise missiles, 23 warships, 1 submarine, 11,794 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,380 units of special equipment.

Paratroopers Destroyed Ukrainian Artillery On Right Bank Of Dnipro River

US President Joe Biden is pressing congressional leaders for USD 110 billion in aid for Ukraine.

Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, and his Democrat counterpart Chuck Schumer, reportedly sounded optimistic that a vote next week might be possible.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing Biden for tougher security measures on the US border with Mexico in exchange for support for the Ukraine aid package.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has said that Ukrainian drones were launched into the Moscow and Leningrad regions early on Thursday.

The Russian MoD claimed that it had intercepted all of the drones.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Ukrainians to demonstrate that they hold the initiative in the war with Russia in a bid to bolster international support.

Paratroopers Captured Ukrainian Position North Of Bakhmut

Zelensky said, after returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos: “Ukraine needs an ambitious and proactive perspective so that the initiative lies within our country, not with the enemy, so that the end of the war depends on Ukrainian actions.

“The world supports those who have a certain perspective. And that is the fundamental task – to maintain the initiative so that we have the opportunity to become stronger.”

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said that a priority for 2024 is to gain air superiority over Russia.

He told the World Economic Forum: “In 2024, of course priority is to throw Russia from the skies.”

Admiral Robert Bauer, the chair of the NATO military committee, has said that the war in Ukraine could “determine the fate of the world”.

He added that Western militaries and political leaders must drastically change the way they help Ukraine fight Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that he does not believe that a ceasefire in Ukraine is near. But he added that he can foresee a future where Ukraine stands strongly on its own two feet.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told attendees at the World Economic Forum that frozen Russian assets should be used to rebuild Ukraine.