These images show Ukrainian artillery blowing up a warehouse with Russian soldiers inside.
The footage shows a number of Russian soldiers approaching buildings in a rural area before the footage cuts to them being hit by Ukrainian ordnance.
The images were obtained from the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on Sunday, 5th March, along with a statement saying: “So you look at the Muscovite from afar – as if he really is a person. And if you come closer – cattle. And [artillery] must work.”
The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 6th March, along with a statement saying: “Spectacular hunt for invaders by the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 377th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 7th March 2023, Russia had lost about 154,830 personnel, 3,432 tanks, 6,714 armoured combat vehicles, 2,456 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 253 air defence systems, 303 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,095 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,323 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 236 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country is committed to holding the contested city of Bakhmut despite being partially encircled by the Russians, saying that “no part of Ukraine” can “be abandoned”.
Both Ukraine and Russia are apparently struggling with an ammunition shortage, with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Russian mercenary organisation Wagner, saying that his representative had been denied access to the headquarters of Russia’s invasion force after he repeatedly complained about an ammunition shortage.
Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister, has visited Mariupol to inspect “Russian reconstruction efforts of infrastructure”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted in absentia for “conspiracy to seize power” and treason.
Tsikhanouskaya said that the verdict was punishment for trying to promote democracy.
The UK Ministry of Defence has said that there is a “realistic possibility” that Russia is going to re-equip its tank force with T-62s, first used in 1954, in a bid to make up for a shortfall in armour.
The tanks are reportedly destined for units that had been waiting for next-generation T-14 Armata main battle tanks.
