This footage allegedly shows tankers of the Russian Armed Forces joining the infantry to offer military support on the offensive positions in the Donetsk region.
The images show dozens of ‘Z’-daubed tanks that allegedly passed through the city of Marinka as they are being greeted by infantrymen.
The ‘Z’ is one of the symbols, as well as the letters ‘V’ and ‘O’ that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.
One of the tanks then arrives at what appears to be a combat zone among ruined houses and opens fire, allegedly at Ukrainian positions.
The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the People’s Militia of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic on 26th December, along with a statement that said: “Tankers of the 150th Motorised Rifle Division destroy enemy firing points in Marinka.
“The work is carried out in the interests of the infantry – so that the fighters can move through the settlement and knock out the enemy from the Marinka fortified area without fear of enemy fire from the windows of the upper floors and pillboxes.”
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 307th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 27th December, Russia had lost about 103,220 personnel, 3,016 tanks, 6,024 armoured combat vehicles, 1,998 artillery units, 418 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 267 helicopters, 1,707 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,652 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 179 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for a “peace” summit with Russia at the United Nations, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as mediator.
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded with an ultimatum for Ukraine to either surrender Russian-controlled territory or have the Russian army decide for them.
And a UN spokesperson said that the secretary-general would only agree to meditate only “if all parties want him to mediate”.
Ukraine called for Russia to be removed as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, accusing it of violating international law.
Nearly nine million Ukrainians are left without electricity as power shortages keep persisting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
A drone believed to be Ukrainian reached deep into Russia’s airspace, causing a deadly explosion at the main base for Moscow’s Tu-95 and Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers.
The Russian military reported that it shot down a Ukrainian drone approaching the Engels airbase, where three servicemen were killed by falling debris.
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed no Russian aircraft were damaged in the explosion.
The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported that former Chief of Staff of the Eastern Military District Lieutenant General Evgeny Valerivich Nikiforov, a Wagner Group-linked Russian officer, was appointed commander of the Russian Western Military District.
Nikiforov has previous experience commanding elements of the Wagner Group in Donbas from 2014 to 2015.
Russia’s Federal Security Service claimed that a Ukrainian “sabotage group” had allegedly been eliminated while trying to enter the Bryansk region, which lies near the Ukrainian border.
