The so-called Donetsk People’s Republic has said that it has hit Ukrainian military positions near Avdiivka using anti-tank guns.
The footage appears to show the pro-Russian forces loading a piece of artillery with ordnance before it can be seen repeatedly opening fire on the Ukrainian positions.
The images then apparently show the Ukrainian positions in a suburban area being hit.
The images were obtained from the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on Friday, 7th April, along with a statement claiming: “‘Rapiers’ of the 9th Brigade are hitting the enemy in the Avdiivka direction.
The DPR added: “With its help, experienced crews of the 9th Brigade of the 1st Donetsk Army Corps (formerly the 9th Regiment of the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic) hit the enemy’s manpower and fortifications, supporting the advance of our infantry in the Avdiivka direction.”
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 408th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 7th April 2023, Russia had lost about 177,110 personnel, 3,633 tanks, 7,016 armoured combat vehicles, 2,722 artillery units, 533 multiple launch rocket systems, 281 air defence systems, 306 warplanes, 292 helicopters, 2,291 drones, 911 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,587 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 304 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has said that China’s President Xi Jinping is willing to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The move comes after French President Emmanuel Macron urged China to persuade Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
Xi reportedly said that he hoped that Russia and Ukraine could hold peace negotiations as soon as possible.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has held talks with his Belarusian counterpart, the authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, to discuss increasing their economic and defence ties.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russia’s notorious Wagner mercenary organisation, has said that there are currently no indications that Ukrainian forces are leaving Bakhmut.
Oleksii Reznikov, the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, is in Greece for talks and was reportedly promised further shipments of artillery and small arms ammunition, as well as access to Greek hospitals for injured soldiers.
The Greeks also promised to provide Ukraine with further Soviet-era infantry fighting vehicles.
Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Greek Minister of Defence, said that his country “will provide every support to Ukraine at this very important, crucial stage of the war”.
General Serhiy Golubtsov, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, has said that his forces are in need of F-16 fighter jets, which he said were “four or five times” more effective than the Soviet-era aircraft currently being used by Ukraine to fight Russia.
Slovakia and Poland have started to provide Ukraine with their MiG-29 fighter jets, but the Ukrainian general said that the aircraft are not capable of fully counteracting Russia’s large air force.
Russia’s Interfax news agency has said that a court in Moscow will consider an appeal by lawyers representing the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Gershkovich was arrested by the Russian authorities on charges of espionage. The hearing, which will take place behind closed doors, is reportedly set for 18th April.
