Russia Says Kamikaze Drones Destroyed Two American M777 Howitzers And A Ukrainian Anti-Aircraft System

Russia has said that it used drones to take out two American M777 howitzers and a Ukrainian ‘Buk-1’ anti-aircraft missile system.

The images reportedly show Russian drones hitting the Ukrainian weapons.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Saturday, 29th October, along with a statement claiming: “A Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system and two American M777 howitzers were destroyed by unmanned aerial vehicle strikes in the area of ​​the settlements of Vysokopolie and Novogrigorovka in the Kherson region.”

Picture shows Ukrainian “Buk-M1” before it was destroyed by the Russian kamikaze drone in Ukraine in undated footage. The Buk is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise missiles, smart bombs, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. (@mod_russia/Newsflash)

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 250th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 31st October, Russia had lost about 71,820 personnel, 2,686 tanks, 5,485 armoured combat vehicles, 1,728 artillery units, 383 multiple launch rocket systems, 197 air defence systems, 275 warplanes, 253 helicopters, 1,413 drones, 352 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,128 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 154 units of special equipment.

Russian kamikaze drone hits the Ukrainian “Buk-M1” in Ukraine in undated footage. The Buk is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise missiles, smart bombs, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. (@mod_russia/Newsflash)

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pulled out of the UN-brokered grain deal after a swarm of drones attacked Russia’s Black Sea flagship vessel, the Admiral Makarov, in the Crimean port of Sevastopol over the weekend.

Russia claimed that it was unable to “guarantee the safety of civilian ships” travelling under the deal after the attack on its Black Sea fleet.

Russian kamikaze drone approaches Ukrainian “Buk-M1” in Ukraine in undated footage. The Buk is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise missiles, smart bombs, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. (@mod_russia/Newsflash)

The United States and the United Nations have both called on Moscow to reverse its decision, with US President Joe Biden calling the move “purely outrageous”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia was weaponising food, while the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said that he was “deeply concerned” by the move.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that his forces have pushed back a “fierce offensive” by Russian forces in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.

Picture shows Ukrainian American M777 howitzer before it was destroyed by the Russian kamikaze drone in Ukraine in undated footage. The M777 howitzer is a British towed 155 mm artillery piece in the howitzer class. It is used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada, Colombia, India, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and the United States. (@mod_russia/Newsflash)

Zelensky said: “Today they stopped the fierce offensive actions of the enemy.” The Ukrainian president added: “The Russian attack was repelled.”

The United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine have said that they will push on to set up a new Black Sea grain deal without Russia that will provide for a transit plan for 16 ships.

Ukraine said on Sunday that 218 ships were now “effectively blocked” in its ports.

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