These images show how a Ukrainian military surgeon removed an unexploded grenade wedged inside a soldier’s body in a risky operation.
The images were obtained from the Command of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 9th January, along with a statement saying: “This is a shock. But pleasant. Our military doctors performed an operation to remove a part of a VOG grenade that did not explode from the body of a serviceman!
“It was removed in the presence of two sappers who ensured the safety of medical personnel.
“The operation was carried out by one of the most experienced surgeons of the Armed Forces – Major General of the Medical Service Andrii Verba without electrocoagulation, as the ammunition could detonate at any moment.
“The operative intervention was successful, and the wounded serviceman was sent for further rehabilitation and recovery.”
The images and statement were also relayed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 321st day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 10th January, Russia had lost about 112,470 personnel, 3,084 tanks, 6,154 armoured combat vehicles, 2,073 artillery units, 434 multiple launch rocket systems, 217 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 275 helicopters, 1,860 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 17 warships, 4,817 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 183 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The United Kingdom is reportedly considering providing Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks. It is the first time that a western country has said that it might supply home-built heavy armour to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia.
Ukraine is reportedly hoping that if the UK goes ahead with the decision, this could help convince Germany to provide it with Leopard 2 battle tanks.
The United States is reportedly thinking about providing Ukraine with Stryker armoured combat vehicles.
Robert Habeck, Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, has said that his country could not rule out providing Ukraine with Leopard tanks in the future.
Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, has said that Russian forces are attempting to advance in the town of Soledar in the Bakhmut Raion of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Soledar lies to the north-east of Bakhmut. If it were to be captured by Russian forces, this could put pressure on Ukrainian forces, leaving them vulnerable to being encircled and putting Bakhmut at risk.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that both Bakhmut and Soledar are currently holding on in the face of Russian attacks, calling the area “one of the bloodiest places on the front line”.
Ukraine is reportedly reinforcing its positions near Bakhmut after days of Russian attempts to take the area, which have been spearheaded by mercenaries from the notorious Wagner group.
A Russian missile has reportedly hit the market village of Shevchenkove, located south-east of the city of Kharkiv, killing two women and injuring six other people, including a 10-year-old girl, according to regional prosecutors, who said that the attack hit the market in the village on Monday.
There are doubts over Russia’s claims that it killed 600 Ukrainian soldiers in barracks in Kramatorsk, with journalists visiting the area reportedly unable to find any evidence of large-scale casualties. Moscow, however, said that it was confident that its Ministry of Defence was correct in its assessment.
