These images show Ukrainian fighters training with grenade launchers and anti-tank guns.
The images show the Ukrainian soldiers training to use the weaponry on training grounds.
The images were obtained from the 128th Separate Mountain Zakarpattia Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday, 22nd February, along with a statement saying: “A little bit of our life between battles. When we train, we feel that those who are waiting for us at home are under protection.”
The images and statement were also relayed by 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 364th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 22nd February 2023, Russia had lost about 145,060 personnel, 3,334 tanks, 6,569 armoured combat vehicles, 2,345 artillery units, 471 multiple launch rocket systems, 243 air defence systems, 299 warplanes, 287 helicopters, 2,026 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,212 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 226 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
US President Joe Biden has marked the first year of the full-scale war after Russia invaded Ukraine with a major speech in Warsaw saying that “Kyiv stands strong”.
Biden praised Ukraine’s resilience against Russia’s aggression and said it was a triumph of democracy over autocracy. He also reiterated the West’s support for Ukraine.
He told a crowd of about 30,000 people, many waving Polish, US and Ukrainian flags: “One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv.
“Well, I’ve just come from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report, Kyiv stands strong. Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most important, it stands free.”
Biden’s speech came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a lengthy, televised, national address to the Russian parliament in which he blamed Western powers for starting the war in Ukraine, which he again referred to as a “special military operation”.
Putin also announced that he was suspending Russia’s participation with the United States in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary-General, said that he regretted Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in the treaty, urging Moscow to reconsider its position.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukrainian troops were holding their positions on the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky’s statement comes after Russia said that it was advancing on its goals in the area.
Russian strikes in southern Ukraine’s city of Kherson have left at least six people dead and 12 injured.
Austria has been criticised for allowing 18 Russian Members of Parliament to attend a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on Friday on the first anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Austria, which is not a NATO member, was also criticised for inviting the Russian attendees to a nationalist ball.
Austria’s far-right Freedom party (FPOe) has reportedly invited the Russian MPs to its annual black-tie nationalist ball at the Hofburg Palace, which is the permanent seat of the OSCE.
Ukraine has said that it will boycott the meeting, saying that Russia would take advantage of the event to “justify its aggression” and “whitewash war crimes”.
