So-Called DPR Says Tanks Fired At Ukrainian Fortified Positions In Donetsk

The pro-Russian Donetsk People’s Republic has said that their tanks have fired at Ukrainian fortified positions in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The images purport to show Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) tanks being loaded with ammunition before manoeuvring into position.

Meanwhile, a DPR soldier appears to deploy a drone to provide the troops on the ground with eyes in the sky.

The DPR tanks can then be seen opening fire, supposedly on the Ukrainian positions.

The images then cut to explosions occurring in the distance on what the DPR said were fortified Ukrainian positions as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the People’s Militia of the DPR on Friday, 25th November, along with a statement claiming: “The tank battalion of the 1st Slavic Brigade hits the fortifications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

DPR tank shoots near Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Tank battalion of the 1st Slavic brigade of the People’s Militia of the DPR detected Ukrainian army personnel and equipment and shot at them from closed positions with help of -72 -64 tanks. (@nm_dnr/Newsflash)

The DPR added: “T-72 and T-64 tanks of the 1st Slavic Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st AK are firing from closed positions at the enemy’s fortified positions and the routes of movement of personnel and equipment in the Avdeevka direction. Adjustment and target designation is carried out by the UAV operator.”

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 275th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 25th November, Russia had lost about 86,150 personnel, 2,899 tanks, 5,844 armoured combat vehicles, 1,895 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,553 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,404 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.

DPR soldiers load rockets into the tank near Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Tank battalion of the 1st Slavic brigade of the People’s Militia of the DPR detected Ukrainian army personnel and equipment and shot at them from closed positions with help of -72 -64 tanks. (@nm_dnr/Newsflash)

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Petro Kotin, the head of the Ukrainian nuclear power company Energoatom, has said that Moscow is risking a nuclear catastrophe after all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants were disconnected from the main power grid for the first time in 40 years.

Kotin said: “There is a real danger of a nuclear and radiation catastrophe being caused by firing on the entire territory of Ukraine with Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, and a huge risk of damage to nuclear plants. Russia must answer for this shameful crime.”

Ukraine was expecting three of its nuclear power plants to be operational again by Thursday evening, according to Energy Minister German Galushchenko.

The Kyiv office for The Hague-based International Commission on Missing Persons has said that over 15,000 people have gone missing so far in the war.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that G7 Foreign Ministers will discuss during a meeting next week in Bucharest how to continue supporting Ukraine and ensure that it has a steady energy supply over the winter.

European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to Finland that the EU is putting in place a ninth sanctions package on Russia.

Picture shows missiles laying on the ground near Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Tank battalion of the 1st Slavic brigade of the People’s Militia of the DPR detected Ukrainian army personnel and equipment and shot at them from closed positions with help of -72 -64 tanks. (@nm_dnr/Newsflash)

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia’s strategy of attempting to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure would not weaken the country’s resolve to liberate all its territory that is currently occupied by Moscow, calling the conflict a “war of strength and resilience”.

Zelensky said on Thursday evening: “Together we endured nine months of full-scale war and Russia has not found a way to break us, and will not find one.”

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Hungary would ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership early next year. Hungary and Turkey are the only members of the Alliance who have yet to ratify their accession.

British Foreign Minister James Cleverly has said during a visit to Ukraine that the United Kingdom will pledge millions of pounds to help Kyiv throughout the winter.