Ukrainian Navy Neutralises Anti-Ship Mine Near Odesa

These images show the Ukrainian Navy neutralising an antiship mine that was found in the Black Sea near Odesa.

The footage shows the mine being detonated on the Ukrainian coast.

The images were obtained from the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 8th November, along with a statement saying: “In Odesa, they successfully eliminated another mine that had landed on the shore.

“Another anti-ship mine was discovered by the defence forces, which was brought to the coast of Odesa. The dangerous find was promptly liquidated by the unit of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

The images and statement were also relayed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Navy unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully eliminates anti-ship mine near Odesa shore in Ukraine in undated footage. The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a type of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, designed to protect the sovereignty and state interests of Ukraine at sea, defeat enemy Navy groups in designated naval zones. (@navy.mil.gov.ua/Newsflash)

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 258th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 8th November, Russia had lost about 77,170 personnel, 2,786 tanks, 5,654 armoured combat vehicles, 1,791 artillery units, 391 multiple launch rocket systems, 203 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 260 helicopters, 1,476 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,216 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 159 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 claimed that Ukraine’s military forces are progressively pushing back Russian troops in the east and the south of the country.

Zelensky said “we are gradually moving forward” and added that Russians on the eastern front in the Donetsk region “die by the hundreds every day”.

The Ukrainian energy operator has told citizens to prepare for more blackouts as it tries to reduce strain on parts of the energy infrastructure that have been damaged by Russian missile and drone attacks.

The Navy unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully eliminates anti-ship mine near Odesa shore in Ukraine in undated footage. The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a type of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, designed to protect the sovereignty and state interests of Ukraine at sea, defeat enemy Navy groups in designated naval zones. (@navy.mil.gov.ua/Newsflash)

Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said that the country has received more air defence systems from its Western allies, saying: “These weapons will significantly strengthen the Ukrainian army and will make our skies safer.”

Ukraine has accused Russian soldiers of occupying and looting empty homes in the city of Kherson in the south of the country in preparation for street fighting as Ukraine tries to retake the city from Moscow’s forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that 50,000 Russian soldiers who were called up as part of his mobilisation push are now fighting within combat units in Ukraine.

Putin added that a total of 80,000 troops from his mobilisation initiative are now “in the zone of the special military operation”, which is what the Kremlin calls the war in Ukraine, with the remainder of the nearly 320,000 recently mobilised forces currently training in Russia.

There is reportedly growing anger in Russia about what is being perceived as Putin’s willingness to throw hundreds of poorly trained conscripts on the frontlines.

The Navy unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully eliminates anti-ship mine near Odesa shore in Ukraine in undated footage. The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a type of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, designed to protect the sovereignty and state interests of Ukraine at sea, defeat enemy Navy groups in designated naval zones. (@navy.mil.gov.ua/Newsflash)

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, has said that his country had never refused to negotiate with Moscow and was prepared to negotiate with its future leader, but not with Putin.

Podolyak said: “Ukraine has never refused to negotiate. Our negotiating position is known and open.”

He added: “Is Putin ready? Obviously not. Therefore, we are constructive in our assessment: we will talk with the next leader.”