These images show Ukrainian air defence forces destroying Russian Shahed drones with heavy machine guns.
The footage shows a number of explosions in the night sky as the Ukrainian air defence systems take out the incoming Russian drones.
The images obtained from the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Wednesday, 13th March, along with a statement saying: “Work of mobile firing groups of the Army units in Dnipropetrovs’k region using Browning M2 heavy machine gun and MANPADS against Shahed UAVs.”
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 14th March 2024. Russia had lost approximately 427,840 personnel, 6,757 tanks, 12,938 armoured combat vehicles, 10,565 artillery units, 1,017 multiple launch rocket systems. 717 air defence systems, 347 warplanes, 325 helicopters, 8,220 drones, 1,920 cruise missiles, 26 warships, 1 submarine, 13,959 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,708 units of special equipment.
Ukrainian drones have targeted oil refineries in Russia, hitting regions like Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Leningrad, far from the frontlines.
The Ryazan oil refinery, Russia’s largest owned by Rosneft, caught fire, with two main refining units being shut down due to damage.
The refinery processes approximately 5.8 per cent of Russia’s refined crude oil. Rosneft has not issued a statement regarding the incident.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has described the battlefield situation as “difficult,” warning of potential deep strikes by Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region.
Syrskyi noted ongoing offensive actions by the Russians in Donetsk, though their activity has decreased in other areas due to significant losses.
Ukrainian Air Defence Destroy Russian ‘Shahed’ Drone
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia’s advance has been “halted,” and the situation has improved compared to three months ago.
Russia’s westward advance from Avdiivka has reportedly slowed for the time being.
Russian military units that suffered heavy casualties between October 2023 and mid-February 2024 are being replenished, forming a significant reserve for future offensives.
This reserve, once replenished, will likely bolster Russian efforts to push further west of Avdiivka. Overall, Russia maintains the initiative across the entire battlefront, according to reports.
US congressional Democrats have pressed Republican Speaker Mike Johnson to support additional military aid for Ukraine.
A USD 95 billion foreign aid package, covering Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, has bipartisan Senate approval, but Johnson, aligned with Donald Trump’s pro-Russia stance, has not yet brought it to a vote. House Democrats have initiated discharge petitions to circumvent Johnson’s inaction.
Overnight Russian drone and bomb attacks in Ukraine’s eastern Sumy and Donetsk regions killed at least three people, local officials reported.
European lawmakers are urging the return of Ukrainian children forcibly moved to Russia. With at least 20,000 affected, according to Michaela Sojdrova, a Czech MEP.
EU lawmakers have voted to propose limits on duty-free imports of Ukrainian grain. Which were permitted after Russia’s invasion, sparking criticism from EU farmers.
