Russia has said that these images show its paratroopers firing rockets from ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian positions. The footage begins by showing Russian soldiers manoeuvring one of the vehicles into position and performing targeting calculations.
The ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) can then be seen firing salvos of its deadly ordnance at unseen targets before the vehicle can be seen quickly driving away to avoid return fire.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Sunday, 11th December, along with a statement claiming: “On average, in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, one crew of a ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) of the Airborne Forces, involved in the special military operation, performs 5-6 fire missions per day.
“The combat vehicles operate both day and night. After each volley, the gunners covertly change position, reload their installations and deliver a new fire strike.
“122-mm rockets at tactical depth hit enemy command posts, areas of concentration of forces, artillery and mortar batteries of the enemy.”
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 289th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 12th December, Russia had lost about 94,760 personnel, 2,966 tanks, 5,928 armoured combat vehicles, 1,929 artillery units, 397 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,617 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,544 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 169 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Serhiy Haidai, the Governor-in-exile of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, has said that Ukrainian forces have hit the headquarters of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, a hotel in the city of Kadiivka.
Ukraine attacked a barracks in the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol, in the Zaporizhzhia region of south-eastern Ukraine, over the weekend.
Ukrainian sources have said that there have been numerous Russian casualties as a result, with witnesses saying that they heard 10 explosions during the attack, which was reportedly carried out using HIMARS rockets.
The strikes on the city were reportedly part of a wider wave of attacks on several Russian bases.
Emergency crews are working around the clock to ease electricity shortages all over Ukraine after further Russian attacks.
Russian forces reportedly used Iranian-made drones on Saturday to hit two electricity plants in Odesa, leaving 1.5 million people without power.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Odesa, a key port city, was undergoing frequent blackouts and that the capital Kyiv was still experiencing “very difficult” conditions.
Local authorities in Kherson said that two people have been killed and another five wounded after Russian troops shelled the area.
Governor Yaroslav Yanushevich said: “The enemy again attacked the residential quarters of Kherson.”
He said that the Russian forces had hit a maternity ward, a cafe and apartment buildings on Saturday.
President Zelensky has thanked US President Joe Biden for the “unprecedented defence and financial assistance” of the United States, saying: “It helps not only to succeed on the battlefield, but also to maintain the stability of our nation’s economy.”
He added that Russian missile strikes had destroyed approximately 50 per cent of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
A neo-Nazi paramilitary group with ties to the Kremlin has reportedly asked its members to provide intelligence reports on border and military activity in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which used to be part of the Soviet Union and are now part of NATO.
‘Task Force Rusich’, who are currently fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Moscow and who also have ties to the Wagner Group asked that members send information relating to border posts and military movements in the three Baltic states.
