Russia has said that it has taken out a Ukrainian stronghold, as well as troops on the other side of the Dnipro River, using self-propelled guns.

The footage begins by showing what appears to be the Ukrainian stronghold, a fortified position in a forested area.

The images then show one of the Russian self-propelled guns repeatedly opening fire.

The images then cut to an explosion, reportedly the Ukrainian position being hit by the Russian ordnance.

Russian soldiers can then be seen reloading the self-propelled gun before it can be seen manoeuvring away to avoid return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Sunday, 5th March, along with a statement claiming: “Artillery units of 120-mm self-propelled 2S9 ‘Nona’ guns are constantly engaged in combat work to destroy manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in all areas of the special military operation.

“On the direction of action of the grouping of ‘Centre’ troops, in the course of reconnaissance and search operations, reconnaissance paratroopers discovered a platoon stronghold with Ukrainian nationalists entrenched in it. The coordinates of the enemy positions were immediately transferred to the artillery control point for their destruction.

“The crews of the Nona self-propelled guns marched to the firing positions and, after aiming, hit the strongholds and destroyed the manpower of the Ukrainian militants who had settled in them.

“At the same time, in the southern sector of the special military operation zone, crews of similar self-propelled guns hit the enemy, dug in on the right bank of the Dnieper.

“Artillerymen of the ‘winged infantry’ act professionally, decisively and harmoniously, showing bravery and courage. Having destroyed the identified objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the crews change positions to perform new tasks.

“Target reconnaissance, fire adjustment and objective control of hitting targets with guns were carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles.”

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 376th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 6th March 2023, Russia had lost about 153,770 personnel, 3,423 tanks, 6,703 armoured combat vehicles, 2,433 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 250 air defence systems, 302 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,086 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,307 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 234 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 praised his country’s Armed Forces in the Donbas, as the Russians increase pressure to take the city of Bakhmut.

Zelensky said: “It is one of the toughest battles. Painful and challenging.”

Ukraine’s capital Kyiv said that it had repelled over “130 enemy attacks” on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Mayor in exile of Russian-occupied Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, has said that “hundreds” of Russian soldiers may have been killed in a Ukrainian strike on the northern part of the city.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has said that its military forces hit a command centre belonging to Ukraine’s Azov Regiment in the Zaporizhzhia region of south-eastern Ukraine.

Turkey is working to extend the United Nations-backed Black Sea grain initiative, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that it is “necessary” for Russian President Vladimir Putin to understand that he will not win the conflict in Ukraine in order for negotiations to end the war to begin.

Scholz added: “If you look at the proposal of the Ukrainians, it is easy to understand that they are ready for peace.”

Ukrainian officials said on Sunday that the death toll after a Russian missile hit a five-storey apartment block in the city of Zaporizhzhia on Thursday has now risen to 13.

Latvia’s Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins has said that it is “only a question of time” before Western countries begin delivering fighter jets to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that there appears to be an increase in “close combat” in Ukraine due to a shortage of Russian “munitions”.

The UK MoD also said that Russian soldiers were apparently being ordered to attack Ukrainian positions with only “firearms and shovels”.