These images show Ukrainian forces destroying a Russian BM-21 ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket system.
The footage shows a Russian BM-21 ‘Grad’ being hit by Ukrainian ordnance as at least two soldiers run for cover.
The Russian war machine can then be seen being hit again before some of its rockets shoot off into the air after being ignited by the burning vehicle.
The images were obtained from the 128th Separate Transcarpathian Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 23rd May, along with a statement saying: “On such a sunny day, hail is completely inappropriate, especially Russian hail. That’s why Transcarpathian Molfars decided to adjust the weather a little.
“Destruction of the BM-21 ‘Grad’ installation by gunners of the 128th Separate Mountain-Assault Transcarpathian Brigade.”
The images 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 455th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th May 2023, Russia had lost about 204,760 personnel, 3,792 tanks, 7,424 armoured combat vehicles, 3,339 artillery units, 570 multiple launch rocket systems, 327 air defence systems, 309 warplanes, 296 helicopters, 2,871 drones, 1,015 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,146 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 440 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Russia claims to have repelled an attack led by Russian partisans that saw a series of battles in Russia’s south-western Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Governor of Belgorod, said late on Tuesday that antiterrorism measures that were put in place following the attack have now been lifted.
Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out the skirmish and said that the partisans were in fact Ukrainians, while Ukraine has vehemently denied this and said that they were Russians seeking to oust Vladimir Putin from power.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said that Poland has begun training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.
He told EU defence ministers in Brussels: “I am happy that finally, the training of the pilots for the F-16 has started in several countries. It will take time, but the sooner the better […] For example, in Poland.”
Borrell also said that EU members had supplied Ukraine with 220,000 artillery shells and 1,300 missiles since March.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said his country is analysing options to support a coalition of countries willing to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.
He added that Germany’s contribution could only be minor as the country does not own any F-16 fighter jets.
The detention of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich has been extended by a court in Moscow.
Gershkovich was arrested at the end of March on charges of espionage. The court said that he should remain detained until 30th August. The US has called for his immediate release.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister, Hanna Maliar, said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces still control the south-western part of the embattled eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
She added that Ukrainian forces had made progress “on the flanks to the north and south of Bakhmut”.
The Ukrainian military said that Russia had carried out 20 missile strikes on Monday against the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions.
The Ukrainian General Staff also said that Russia had launched 48 airstrikes using Iranian-made Shahed drones.
