These images show how a Ukrainian sniper shot a group of Russian soldiers dead while injuring others but spared a rabbit.
The footage, filmed through the marksman’s scope at night, shows how the Ukrainian sniper injured and killed Russian soldiers in a forested area.
Towards the end of the footage, a rabbit can be seen hopping into view. The sights focus on it for a second before returning to bigger prey as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Regional Directorate of Territorial Defence Forces ‘East’ of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 24th November, along with a statement saying: “When our lights go out, we turn on our night vision devices and thermal imaging cameras.
“Sniper Fox of the 231st Separate Battalion of the Separate Brigade Of Territorial Defence for Dnipro – added two kills and two injured to his treasury.
“Together to victory. Glory to Ukraine. Death to the enemies.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 275th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 25th November, Russia had lost about 86,150 personnel, 2,899 tanks, 5,844 armoured combat vehicles, 1,895 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,553 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,404 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Petro Kotin, the head of the Ukrainian nuclear power company Energoatom, has said that Moscow is risking a nuclear catastrophe after all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants were disconnected from the main power grid for the first time in 40 years.
Kotin said: “There is a real danger of a nuclear and radiation catastrophe being caused by firing on the entire territory of Ukraine with Russian cruise and ballistic missiles, and a huge risk of damage to nuclear plants. Russia must answer for this shameful crime.”
Ukraine was expecting three of its nuclear power plants to be operational again by Thursday evening, according to Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The Kyiv office for The Hague-based International Commission on Missing Persons has said that over 15,000 people have gone missing so far in the war.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that G7 Foreign Ministers will discuss during a meeting next week in Bucharest how to continue supporting Ukraine and ensure that it has a steady energy supply over the winter.
European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to Finland that the EU is putting in place a ninth sanctions package on Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia’s strategy of attempting to destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure would not weaken the country’s resolve to liberate all its territory that is currently occupied by Moscow, calling the conflict a “war of strength and resilience”.
Zelensky said on Thursday evening: “Together we endured nine months of full-scale war and Russia has not found a way to break us, and will not find one.”
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Hungary would ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership early next year. Hungary and Turkey are the only members of the Alliance who have yet to ratify their accession.
British Foreign Minister James Cleverly has said during a visit to Ukraine that the United Kingdom will pledge millions of pounds to help Kyiv throughout the winter.
