Russia has said that its paratroopers have fired at Ukrainian positions using grenade launchers mounted on quad bikes, as these images purport to show.
The footage shows the quad bike manoeuvring into position at speed after travelling across snowy terrain.
A drone can be seen being launched into the air, with the quad bike rider dismounting from the vehicle and opening fire with the grenade launcher mounted on the back of it.
His colleague the monitoring the situation with the drone.
The quad bike can then be seen manoeuvring away.
The images then appear to show a Russian soldier firing a rocket launcher while standing next to a quad bike.
A quad bike can be seen driving across some train tracks in a snowy area before a grenade launcher is seen in action again as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, 7th March, along with a statement claiming: “Mobile groups of units of the Airborne Forces on army all-terrain vehicles hit the fortified dugout of nationalists using the Fagot anti-tank missile system.
“Mobile groups of units of the Airborne Forces on army all-terrain vehicles AM-1, having received the task of destroying the observation post and the infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the stronghold, promptly advanced to the indicated area to conduct reconnaissance and destroy the indicated targets.
“Paratroopers make daring raids and get close to enemy positions.
“Upon arrival in a given area, the Airborne Forces scouts using a quadrocopter discovered the infantry of the Ukrainian formations hidden in the strongholds and proceeded to destroy it, firing from an AGS-17 ‘Flame’ automatic grenade launcher mounted directly on the ATV.
“Fire on the enemy is carried out in short bursts with adjustment using a quadrocopter. After hitting an enemy object, the calculation immediately turns off and changes its firing position in order to avoid return fire from the APU units.
“At the same time, at the same time, another crew on an ATV hits the fortified dugout of nationalists with two missile launches from the Fagot anti-tank missile system.
“Having dismantled the enemy’s fortifications with anti-tank missiles, the crew disappears as quickly as it appears at the firing line. This is called a “roaming gun emplacement”. Work for cold-blooded self-confident professionals. After all, the ATV has no protection against bullets and shrapnel. Armour would make the structure heavier and would deprive the crew of mobility and manoeuvrability.
“Having changed positions, mobile groups destroy the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from other firing positions.
“In addition, scouts of mobile groups of paratroopers conduct reconnaissance of the enemy’s front line, approach routes, the supply of ammunition, suitable reserves, as well as identifying its firing points.”
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 377th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 7th March 2023, Russia had lost about 154,830 personnel, 3,432 tanks, 6,714 armoured combat vehicles, 2,456 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 253 air defence systems, 303 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,095 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,323 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 236 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 said that his country is committed to holding the contested city of Bakhmut despite being partially encircled by the Russians, saying that “no part of Ukraine” can “be abandoned”.
Both Ukraine and Russia are apparently struggling with an ammunition shortage, with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Russian mercenary organisation Wagner, saying that his representative had been denied access to the headquarters of Russia’s invasion force after he repeatedly complained about an ammunition shortage.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister, has visited Mariupol to inspect “Russian reconstruction efforts of infrastructure”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted in absentia for “conspiracy to seize power” and treason.
Tsikhanouskaya said that the verdict was punishment for trying to promote democracy.
The UK Ministry of Defence has said that there is a “realistic possibility” that Russia is going to re-equip its tank force with T-62s, first used in 1954, in a bid to make up for a shortfall in armour.
The tanks are reportedly destined for units that had been waiting for next-generation T-14 Armata main battle tanks.
