This footage appears to show Russian crews doing fire training in difficult and uneven terrain with upgraded T-90M tanks.
Tankers reportedly trained for combat with their new weapons to “improve their skills” in combat.
The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 6th January, along with a statement saying: “The crews of the modernised T-90M ‘Proryv’ tanks of the Central Military District tank formation continue combat coordination in the rear areas of the special military operation.
“The best crews with combat experience improve their skills in fire training and combat vehicle control.
“Servicemen practice shooting at targets from standard tank weapons using a modern fire control system both from closed positions and from open positions – direct fire.
“Adjustment of fire is carried out with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, the crews are driving new vehicles in difficult terrain.
“After the completion of combat coordination, the tank crews will begin to carry out combat missions in the area of the special military operation.”
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The Ministry of Defence of Russia announced a temporary 36-hour-long ceasefire set to last from 6th January at 12am to 7th January at 12pm in a Telegram post late Thursday.
The United States Department of State called the truce announcement during Russian Orthodox Christmas a “cynical” proposition.
US President Joe Biden described the situation as Russian President Vladimir Putin “trying to find some oxygen”.
And US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said: “Our concern is that the Russians would seek to use any temporary pause in fighting to rest, to refit, to regroup, and ultimately to re-attack.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russia’s order for a ceasefire and called it a trick to slow down Ukraine’s defences in the Donbas region.
President Zelensky said: “They now want to use Christmas as a cover, albeit briefly, to stop the advances of our boys in Donbas and bring equipment, ammunition and mobilised troops closer to our positions.”
He added: “The war will end either when your soldiers leave or we throw them out.”
The White House announced that Germany will join the USA in providing additional Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.
Germany will also be sending armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine, according to an announcement after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with President Biden.
The German Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, said it was a “good decision” for Germany to supply Ukraine with weapons.
