These images show a Ukrainian paratrooper shooting down a Russian Orlan-10 drone using a British Starstreak air defence system.
The footage shows the Ukrainian paratrooper aiming the British weapon towards the sky and firing. After a few seconds, the soldier and his colleagues cheer as an explosion occurs overhead, with the defensive weapon having apparently hit the Russian drone.
The images were obtained from the Command of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces on Sunday, 13th November, along with a statement saying: “Zhytomyr paratrooper shot down another Russian Orlan-10 UAV.
“When you go hunting an anti-aircraft gunner of the 95th separate airborne assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the call sign ‘Celt’, it is in vain for the Russians to hope that they will see their drones or helicopters again.
Ukrainian paratrooper aims at Russian “Orlan-10” drone with British Starstreak in Ukraine in undated footage. Starstreak is a British short-range surface to air missile that can be used as a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) or in heavier systems, manufactured by Thales Air Defence in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (@ua_dshv/Newsflash)
“On the account of the sergeant of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division of the Zhytomyr brigade of the Air Assault Forces, already more than 15 Orlans and two Ka-52 helicopters have been downed.
“The boy is a little over 20 years old, he studied at the Faculty of Forestry in one of the Ukrainian universities.
“However, to the chagrin of the Russians, in the spring of this year ‘Celt’ underwent training abroad, and now it does not give peace to its enemies. Watch a fresh video in which our warrior shoots down another Orlan with a high-speed Starstreak missile.
“Death to the Russian invaders! Glory to Air Assault Forces! Glory to Ukraine!”
Starstreak is a British short-range, surface-to-air missile that is often used as a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS). It is built by Thales Air Defence in Northern Ireland.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 264th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 14th November, Russia had lost about 81,370 personnel, 2,848 tanks, 5,748 armoured combat vehicles, 1,839 artillery units, 393 multiple launch rocket systems, 206 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,509 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,316 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 160 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 Russian forces destroyed key infrastructure in the southern city of Kherson before they retreated. Zelensky said that Russian troops had “destroyed all the critical infrastructure: communications, water, heat, electricity.”
Zelensky described the humanitarian situation as “severe” due to a lack of water, food and medicine. He also said that Ukrainian forces had removed nearly 2,000 mines, tripwires and unexploded shells that had been left by the retreating Russian forces.
Citizens across Ukraine have hailed the recapture of the southern city, with images of locals welcoming the Ukrainian forces with tears of joy making headlines around the world.
Yaroslav Yanushevych, the Ukrainian Governor of the Kherson region, said that everything was being done to “return normal life” to the region.
Zelensky also accused Russian soldiers of committing war crimes and killing civilians in Kherson. On Sunday, Zelensky said: “Investigators have already documented more than 400 Russian war crimes.
“Bodies of dead civilians and servicemen have been found. The Russian army left behind the same savagery it did in other regions of the country it entered.”
Ukrainian forces are also assessing what is said to be significant new damage to the Nova Kakhovka dam, which the Russians attempted to blow up when they retreated from Kherson.
It is feared that the dam could flood the area and the city of Kherson if it ruptures. It is currently unclear if its structural integrity is at risk.
Zelensky said that the pro-Russian forces were fighting fiercely in the eastern Donetsk region, saying: “Battles in Donetsk region are just as intense as they have been in previous days.”
He added: “The level of Russian attacks has not declined. And the level of our resilience and courage is at its highest. We will not allow them through our defence.”
