These images show how Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian multiple launch rocket system near Bakhmut.
The Russian military vehicle, reportedly a Solntsepyok, can be seen with scorch marks around it before the footage shows it apparently being hit again, with Ukrainian ordnance causing a large explosion.
The images were obtained from the 92nd Ivan Sirko Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday, 22nd March, along with a statement saying: “Find and destroy – the goal that the gunners of the 92nd set themselves every day. This is the result!”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) 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 393rd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 23rd March 2023, Russia had lost about 168,150 personnel, 3,570 tanks, 6,898 armoured combat vehicles, 2,608 artillery units, 511 multiple launch rocket systems, 273 air defence systems, 305 warplanes, 290 helicopters, 2,203 drones, 909 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,452 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 273 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
At least eight people were killed last night (Wednesday/Thursday) after a Russian drone attack hit Rzhyshchiv, near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to regional police chief Andrii Nebytov.
The strike reportedly hit a school and a dormitory building, with one of the people declared dead being “an ambulance driver who came to the call”.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has said that China is watching “very carefully” to see how the West handles Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He said that if Russia is allowed to attack Ukraine with impunity, this would create a “Pandora’s box” situation and lead to “a world of conflict”.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has cautioned that the West needs to prepare to supply weaponry to Ukraine for the long haul.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has said that Russia will not leave the UK’s plan to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium tank shells “unanswered”.
Lavrov said: “This decision will not remain without serious consequences both for Russian-British bilateral relations and at the international level.”
But James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary, has said that providing Ukraine with depleted uranium shells does not constitute a “nuclear escalation”. He said: “They are not nuclear munitions. They are purely conventional munitions.”
Cleverly’s statement comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of “beginning to use weapons with a nuclear component”.
Sweden’s parliament has formally approved a bill to allow it to join NATO.
