Ukrainian Paratroopers Take Out Russian Tank And Infantry Fighting Vehicle In Donetsk

These images show how Ukrainian paratroopers took out a Russian tank and an infantry fighting vehicle in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The footage shows the Russian tank going down a dirt track before cutting to images apparently showing it burning after it was reportedly hit by a Ukrainian anti-tank guided missile.

The images then show the Russian infantry fighting vehicle, reportedly a BMP, with smoke gushing out of it after it was reportedly hit by Ukrainian artillery.

The images were obtained from the Command of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces on Tuesday, 1st November, along with a statement saying: “Mykolaiv paratroopers destroyed a tank and a BMP of the occupiers in the Donetsk region.

Russian tank moves down the road in a field area in Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Servicemen of the 79th separate amphibious assault brigade of Mykolaiv destroyed Russian tank and BMP infantry fighting vehicle. (@www.dshv.mil.gov.ua/Newsflash)

“In one of the districts of the Donetsk region, soldiers-gunners of the 79th Separate Amphibious Assault Brigade of the Mykolaiv Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a tank and an enemy infantry fighting vehicle.

“The tank of the Russian occupiers was destroyed by anti-tank means, and the BMP – by artillery fire.
Death to the Russian invaders! Glory to Air Assault Forces! Glory to Ukraine!”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 251st day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 1st November, Russia had lost about 72,470 personnel, 2,698 tanks, 5,501 armoured combat vehicles, 1,730 artillery units, 383 multiple launch rocket systems, 197 air defence systems, 276 warplanes, 257 helicopters, 1,415 drones, 397 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,143 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 154 units of special equipment.

Russian tank burns on the road in a field area in Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Servicemen of the 79th separate amphibious assault brigade of Mykolaiv destroyed Russian tank and BMP infantry fighting vehicle. (@www.dshv.mil.gov.ua/Newsflash)

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities have been hit by a massive wave of Russian missile strikes. Hydroelectric power plants have also been hit, as have other critical energy and water infrastructure across Ukraine.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has said that 40 per cent of the city’s residents do not have running water and 270,000 homes were without electricity as of Monday evening.

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom James Cleverly has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “exacting vengeance” for his military failures with the missile strikes and by withdrawing from the Black Sea grain export deal.

Putin has said that the missile strikes have been aimed at hitting energy and military infrastructure but Ukraine has denied that its military facilities are being targeted.

Putin has also said that the strikes and the decision to pull out of the Black Sea grain deal were in response to a drone attack on Moscow’s fleet in Crimea that he has blamed on Ukraine.

Putin said on Monday that Ukrainian drones had used the same marine corridors that the grain ships transit through under the UN-brokered deal.

Russian BMP explodes on the road in a field area in Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated photo. Servicemen of the 79th separate amphibious assault brigade of Mykolaiv destroyed Russian tank and BMP infantry fighting vehicle. (@www.dshv.mil.gov.ua/Newsflash)

The Russian Ministry of Defence said in a statement that it wanted Ukraine to provide “commitments” to avoid using the Black Sea grain corridor for military purposes.

The United Nations has disputed Moscow’s claim that a civilian cargo ship that was carrying grain out of Ukraine might have been used as part of the drone strike against the Russian fleet.

France is now reportedly working on a plan to export Ukrainian food products by land routes instead of the Black Sea.

Russia is reportedly recruiting Afghan special forces soldiers to fight in Ukraine, with three former Afghan generals reportedly saying that Moscow wanted to entice thousands of elite Afghan commandos in a bid to create a “foreign legion”.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Monday that Moscow had now completed the partial mobilisation announced by Putin in September.