Ukrainian Soldiers Fire At Russian Troops In Bakhmut Using BM-21 ‘Grad’ Multiple Launch Rocket Vehicles

These images show Ukrainian soldiers firing at Russian positions in Bakhmut using BM-21 ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket vehicles.

The footage shows Ukrainian soldiers calibrating their targeting instruments before the war machines, located in a field, open fire on unseen Russian positions.

They can then be seen relocating to avoid return fire as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the 17th Separate Kryvyi Rih Tank Brigade named after Konstantin Pestushko of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on Tuesday, 17th January, along with a statement saying: “Nothing evil. For every lost life, for every destroyed destiny and destroyed home. Unceasingly, to victory, to the last occupier on our land. Let’s stay in line! Glory to the Armed Forces!”

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

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 328th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 17th January 2023, Russia had lost about 116,950 personnel, 3,121 tanks, 6,215 armoured combat vehicles, 2,104 artillery units, 441 multiple launch rocket systems, 220 air defence systems, 286 warplanes, 276 helicopters, 1,872 drones, 749 cruise missiles, 17 warships, 4,877 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 190 units of special equipment.

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

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Monday that over 7,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian fighters shoot at Russian troops using BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the 17th brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (@17otbr/Newsflash)

The OHCHR added that it believes that the actual death toll is “considerably higher” but said that it is currently hard to determine due to numerous pending reports and the inaccessibility of parts of the country where intense fighting is currently ongoing.

Turkish ombudsman Seref Malkoc has said that Russia and Ukraine have been putting together a large prisoner exchange deal they could see 1,000 prisoners swapped between the two countries.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom, has confirmed that the UK will send a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Speaking to the British Parliament, he defined the military support as “the most significant package of combat power to date to accelerate Ukrainian success”.

Ukrainian soldier aims at Russian troops for using BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher against them in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the 17th brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (@17otbr/Newsflash)

The announcement makes the UK the first Western power to supply Ukraine with main battle tanks, with Wallace also urging Germany to allow for Leopard tanks to be supplied to Kyiv.

Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said that Germany should take “decisive actions” and send “all sorts of weapons” to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression.

Russia and Belarus have begun joint air force drills, increasing fears in Kyiv and among Ukraine’s western allies that Moscow could be pushing its ally into launching a new offensive on Ukraine.

Picture shows Ukrainian soldiers near BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the 17th brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (@17otbr/Newsflash)

The Norwegian authorities have said that a Russian citizen, named as Andrey Medvedev, who reportedly fought for the notorious Wagner group, a private mercenary organisation that has been operating closely with conventional Russian forces in Ukraine, has crossed into Norway and requested political asylum.