These images purport to show Russian soldiers undergoing tactical training on snowy grounds in Belarus.
The footage appears to show mobilised Russian soldiers training to use an armoured vehicle and advancing on a snow-covered mock battlefield, rifles in hand.
Other images reportedly show the Russian recruits learning to use rocket-propelled grenade launchers against tanks and firing assault rifles downrange while taking cover.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, 1st December, along with a statement claiming: “Sparing no ammunition: military personnel of the Western Military District continue tactical training at the training grounds of the Republic of Belarus.
“At the command ‘To battle!’ the squad dismounts, deploys in battle formation and begins the offensive. When attacking, motorised riflemen manoeuvre on the field without ceasing fire. Soldiers shoot both on the move and during short stops, thus trying to suppress a mock enemy.
“Upon completion of the shooting – a thorough analysis, analysis of errors and they start again. So, step by step, on the training grounds of Belarus, the military personnel of the Western Military District are mastering the tactics of modern infantry combat. Learning all its nuances.
“No ammunition is spared here. The fighters hone their fire skills every day, firing from machine guns, machine guns and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers.”
The Russian MoD also claimed in a separate statement, obtained from its Department of Information and Mass Communication: “Russian servicemen, who are part of the regional grouping of troops, continue the course of intensive combat training at the training grounds of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus.
“Classes for combat training and combat coordination of units of the Western Military District are held in the daytime and at night.
“Servicemen at training grounds improve shooting from standard weapons, driving military vehicles, passing a psychological obstacle course, learning tactical medicine skills and other disciplines.
“Fighters hone their fire skills every day, firing from machine guns, machine guns and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers.
“Experienced instructors teach shooters how to accurately hit the target, as well as tell and show how to take an advantageous position, cover each other during the battle, work in a team, and fighting in twos and threes.
“Army tactical shooting includes movement, shooting on the move and from non-standard positions, as well as practising skills for quickly reloading weapons.
“Here the shooting is more than dynamic. As in a real combat situation, when there is no time for long reflections. The reaction should be instantaneous, the actions automatic, almost intuitive. The consumption of cartridges at this training site is colossal – 10 thousand in two days. But it’s worth it. After all, with each exit to the firing position, the fighters solve the suddenly arising tactical and fire tasks more and more quickly.
“Upon completion of the shooting, a thorough analysis is carried out, analysis of errors and again to the original. Thus, step by step, military personnel of the Western Military District are mastering the tactics of modern infantry combat at the training grounds of Belarus. Learn all its nuances.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
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Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
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