Ukrainian Forces Take Out Russian Tanks And Infantry Near Avdiivka

These images show Ukrainian forces taking out Russian tanks and infantry near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian fighters drop bombs at Russian infantry near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Separate presidential brigade on Sunday, Mar. 5, 2023. (@Prezydentska.Bryhada/Newsflash)

The first piece of footage begins by showing a Russian tank on the battlefield making its way through some trees before Russian infantry can be seen being hit by Ukrainian drone bombs.

The tank can then be seen being hit as well before the images appear to show it being destroyed.

A drone can then be seen targeting what appears to be a group of abandoned Russian armoured vehicles, with a second tank then seen being targeted as well.

The second piece of footage shows explosions on the battlefield as Russian military vehicles can be seen being targeted.

They then appear to turn around and flee, with the footage ending with a destroyed Russian military vehicle seen burning profusely, with black smoke rising into the air.

The first piece of footage was obtained from the Separate Presidential Brigade Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Sunday, 5th March, along with a statement saying: “The enemy, supported by a tank, again went to storm the positions of our 2nd mechanised battalion.

“The assault ended for the enemy with a knocked-out tank and infantry, who were on all fours hiding on the ground from our bombs.”

The second piece of footage was obtained from the Separate Presidential Brigade Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Saturday, 4th March, along with a statement saying: “In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy tried to storm our positions.

Ukrainian fighters destroy Russian infantry near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Separate presidential brigade on Sunday, Mar. 5, 2023. (@Prezydentska.Bryhada/Newsflash)

“As a result, the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the Presidential Brigade, in cooperation with the artillery of the 55th OABr and 110th OMB, eliminated 3 tanks, 5 infantry fighting vehicles and captured 6 opponents.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 376th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 6th March 2023, Russia had lost about 153,770 personnel, 3,423 tanks, 6,703 armoured combat vehicles, 2,433 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 250 air defence systems, 302 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,086 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,307 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 234 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 praised his country’s Armed Forces in the Donbas, as the Russians increase pressure to take the city of Bakhmut.

Zelensky said: “It is one of the toughest battles. Painful and challenging.”

Ukraine’s capital Kyiv said that it had repelled over “130 enemy attacks” on Sunday.

The Ukrainian Mayor in exile of Russian-occupied Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, has said that “hundreds” of Russian soldiers may have been killed in a Ukrainian strike on the northern part of the city.

Ukrainian fighters drop bomb at Russian tank near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Separate presidential brigade on Sunday, Mar. 5, 2023. (@Prezydentska.Bryhada/Newsflash)

The Russian Ministry of Defence has said that its military forces hit a command centre belonging to Ukraine’s Azov Regiment in the Zaporizhzhia region of south-eastern Ukraine.

Turkey is working to extend the United Nations-backed Black Sea grain initiative, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that it is “necessary” for Russian President Vladimir Putin to understand that he will not win the conflict in Ukraine in order for negotiations to end the war to begin.

Scholz added: “If you look at the proposal of the Ukrainians, it is easy to understand that they are ready for peace.”

Ukrainian officials said on Sunday that the death toll after a Russian missile hit a five-storey apartment block in the city of Zaporizhzhia on Thursday has now risen to 13.

Latvia’s Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins has said that it is “only a question of time” before Western countries begin delivering fighter jets to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that there appears to be an increase in “close combat” in Ukraine due to a shortage of Russian “munitions”.

The UK MoD also said that Russian soldiers were apparently being ordered to attack Ukrainian positions with only “firearms and shovels”.