The pro-Russian Donetsk People’s Republic has said that it has destroyed four Ukrainian tanks in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
The footage purports to show Ukrainian armour advancing across the battlefield in a move that the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) claimed was a bid to recapture lost ground.
The footage shows that a significant portion of the Ukrainian forces was destroyed in the attempt, the DPR claimed.
At one point, a drone bomb can be seen allegedly being dropped on Ukrainian soldiers located next to an armoured vehicle.
Another piece of the footage allegedly shows Ukrainian soldiers next to another armoured vehicle being hit before the remainder of the vehicles retreat.
The images were obtained from the DPR on Thursday, 8th December, along with a statement claiming: “Last Monday, the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made a daring attempt at a counter-offensive on the positions recaptured from them earlier.
“An offensive attempt was made by the RTG forces, consisting of up to 15 armoured vehicles, which were provided with fire support by up to six tanks.
“However, the Somali fighters did not flinch and met the enemy forces with heavy fire from an ambush. During a fierce battle, four pieces of enemy equipment were destroyed and the militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were forced to flee.”
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 9th December, Russia had lost about 93,390 personnel, 2,937 tanks, 5,912 armoured combat vehicles, 1,926 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,603 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,531 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 164 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
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NATO members Hungary and Turkey have yet to approve their admission into the Alliance.
Blinken said that both countries had demonstrated their sincerity in their desire to join the Alliance, not least by joining with NATO to provide support for Ukraine to counter Moscow’s aggression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he will continue to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure despite international criticism after repeated waves of Russian missile strikes have left millions of civilians without water or electricity as temperatures plummet.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia is still intent on seizing control of some parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, which Putin has previously claimed for Russia.
The move by Russia to annex the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, was widely condemned and has not been internationally recognised.
Ukraine has had to introduce further emergency power cuts as it struggles to repair damage to its energy infrastructure caused by Russia’s airstrikes.
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The Pope reportedly had to pause during a speech for about 30 seconds before he regained his composure.
