Ukrainian Recon Drone Shows Bakhmut In Ruins After Months Of Fighting

These images filmed by a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone show the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in ruins after months of fighting.

The footage shows numerous buildings destroyed and many others severely damaged.

Plumes of smoke can be seen sweeping the city after intense fighting, with the city streets completely empty.

The city can be seen full of scorched buildings, with some of them still on fire.

The images were obtained from the Regional Directorate of Territorial Defence Forces ‘East’ of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 18th April, along with a statement saying: “It brings tears to the eyes when you see how Bakhmut looks today…

“These shots were taken by aerial reconnaissance of the Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence of the city of Kharkiv, which is currently defending the frontiers in the ‘hot’ east of our Motherland.

jPicture shows complete ruins and in smoke from the Russian shelling in Bakhmut in Donetsk region in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Regional Directorate of Territorial Defense Forces “East” on Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2023. (@troskhidzsu/Newsflash)

“But despite the pressure, the Fortress stands and will stand! Glory to Ukraine! Death to the enemies!”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 420th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 19th April 2023, Russia had lost about 183,750 personnel, 3,665 tanks, 7,110 armoured combat vehicles, 2,819 artillery units, 538 multiple launch rocket systems, 285 air defence systems, 308 warplanes, 293 helicopters, 2,376 drones, 911 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,692 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 330 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 visited troops in Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, on Tuesday, according to his office.

Zelensky’s office said that he spoke with commanders about the situation on the battlefield and gave awards to soldiers.

The Kremlin has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited military headquarters in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine.

It quoted Putin as saying to military officials on the ground: “I do not want to distract you from your direct duties related to command and control.”

Putin reportedly added: “It is important for me to hear your opinion on how the situation is developing, to listen to you, to exchange information. I would ask you to start your report with the situation.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that the video was filmed on Monday.

But Independent Russian media and international outlets have noted that Putin referred to the upcoming Orthodox Church celebration of Easter, indicating that the video may actually have been filmed last week.

A Moscow court has rejected an appeal by US reporter Evan Gershkovich to be free from pre-trial detention.

This means that Gershkovich, who denies charges of espionage, will remain in a former KGB prison until at least 29th May.

The G7 has criticised Russia’s threats to put nuclear weapons in Belarus and has vowed to intensify sanctions against Moscow.

Robert Telus, the Polish Minister of Agriculture, has said that Poland has reached an agreement on restarting imports of Ukrainian grain as of Friday.

The Ukrainian military has said Russian forces are stepping up their use of airstrikes and heavy artillery in Bakhmut, adding that Moscow’s forces are suffering significant losses in the battle.

The manufacturer of Sweden’s Absolut Vodka, Pernod Ricard, has said that it is stopping all exports to Russia after calls to boycott the brand went viral on social media in Sweden following the company’s decision to resume exports earlier this month.

The brand had initially ceased exports to Russia in March 2022.