These images show Ukrainian forces taking out retreating Wagner mercenaries after thwarting their attack in Bakhmut.
The footage shows the Wagner mercenaries making their way through part of the ruined city, weaving between houses as they go.
The area is then hit by large explosions.
The images were obtained from the State Border Service of Ukraine on Tuesday, 7th March, along with a statement saying: “Thanks to the cooperation of mortars of the State Border Service and aerial reconnaissance of the National Guard, the invaders rested among the ruins, which they are turning into a fortress city.
“The invaders are destroying Bakhmut’s urban infrastructure day after day, sending waves of infantry across the ruins.
“The onslaught of aggressors is restrained by the Defence Forces of Ukraine with titanic efforts. The other day, a group of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner air force tried to attack one of the Ukrainian strongholds.
“The defenders of the fortress city stopped the stormtroopers in close combat. Having lost part of their forces, the Russian [forces] began to retreat.
“The National Guardsmen tracked down the fugitives with the help of a drone, and the border guards’ mortars destroyed at least seven invaders with effective fire.”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs 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.
