These images purport to show a Russian frigate firing artillery during an exercise in the Atlantic Ocean.
The footage reportedly shows the ‘Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov’ frigate of Russia’s Northern Fleet carrying out a live fire artillery exercise in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
The images appear to show the vessel repeatedly opening fire on a mock target.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 10th February, along with a statement claiming: “The crew of the ‘Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov’ frigate of the Northern Fleet, in the course of carrying out long-range missions, in the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean, conducted artillery firing at a sea target in preparation for a joint naval exercise with the Navy of the Republic of South Africa and the Navy of the People’s Liberation Army of China.
“The calculation of the ship’s command post worked out the actions to issue target designation for the use of artillery weapons of the frigate.
“The shooting was carried out from a 130-mm universal AK-192M ship artillery mount on a sea target imitating a mock enemy ship and located at a distance of more than 10 kilometres.
“Means of objective control confirmed that the target was successfully hit.
“In order to counter high-precision weapons of a mock enemy, electronic warfare systems also practised jamming.
“Further, a detachment of ships of the Northern Fleet conducted an exercise in the Atlantic Ocean on the transfer of liquid cargo on the move in the wake way. In the course of it, diesel fuel and fresh water reserves were replenished from the medium sea tanker Kama.
“The ship’s combat crews ensured compliance with all security measures during the transfer of liquid cargo. Particular attention was paid to compliance with environmental safety measures.
“The voyage of a detachment of ships, consisting of the ‘Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov’ frigate and the medium sea tanker ‘Kama’, takes place under the command of the commander of the division of missile ships of the Northern Fleet, Captain 1st Rank Oleg Gladky.
“The ‘Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov’ frigate is a modern multi-purpose ship with guided missile weapons designed to solve problems in the far sea and ocean zones. A ship armed with Zircons is capable of inflicting pinpoint powerful strikes against any enemy targets at sea and on land. At the same time, a feature of the Zircon hypersonic missiles is the ability to reliably overcome any modern and advanced air defence and missile defence systems.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recently declined to participate in naval exercises with the United States, opting instead to take part in Exercise Mosi II with Russia and China, set to take place between 17th and 27th February.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 352nd day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 10th February 2023, Russia had lost about 135,740 personnel, 3,258 tanks, 6,471 armoured combat vehicles, 2,251 artillery units, 463 multiple launch rocket systems, 233 air defence systems, 295 warplanes, 286 helicopters, 1,970 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,126 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 211 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 claimed that several European Union leaders are prepared to provide his country with combat aircraft.
Zelensky said on Thursday: “Europe will be with us until our victory. I’ve heard it from a number of European leaders … about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft.”
He added: “I have a number of bilaterals now, we are going to raise the issue of the fighter jets and other aircraft.”
The Ukrainian president also urged European leaders to deliver weaponry faster and begin EU membership discussions with Ukraine this year.
A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister said that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was looking into “whether we can provide fighter jets in the future”.
But the UK government also said that it would not send combat aircraft to Ukraine if this created risks to British safety.
Russia has reportedly launched a major new offensive in eastern Ukraine and is attempting a push near the town of Kreminna, according to the Ukrainian Governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai.
Haidai said on Thursday that there had been “maximum escalation”, adding: “So far they haven’t had any success. Our defenders have been able to hold them back completely.”
Russian drones and missiles have hit targets in southern and eastern Ukraine on Thursday night, with Serhiy Lysak, the Ukrainian military administrator for the Dnipropetrovsk region, saying that Shahed drones had been detected in the area.
Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has intercepted Russian secret service plans to destroy Moldova.
Speaking in Brussels to EU leaders, Zelensky said that his services had intercepted evidence that “shows who, when and how was going to break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova.”
Zelensky said that he had immediately warned his Moldovan counterpart, President Maia Sandu.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said on Thursday that the EU must continue to provide support to Ukraine, saying: “We understand that the coming weeks and months will be of decisive importance.”
He added: “Artillery, munitions, defence systems … you have told us exactly what you need and what you need now.”
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced new sanctions against Russia worth more than EUR 10 billion, which are geared towards targeting propagandists for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
