These images show Ukrainian soldiers not wasting a second to fire back at the Russians with mortars in Bakhmut despite incoming fire hitting nearby in a large explosion.

The footage shows the two Ukrainian soldiers firing twice with the mortar before the images cut to incoming fire, presumably from the Russians, hitting nearby in a large explosion.

Before the smoke has even cleared, the two Ukrainian soldiers are back at it firing shells at the Russian positions.

The images were obtained from the State Border Service of Ukraine on Friday, 24th February, along with a statement saying: “The border guards’ mortars hit the enemy’s infantry and help their comrades repel the assault despite the ‘arrivals’.”

The State Border Service added that the images were filmed in Bakhmut.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 366th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th February 2023, Russia had lost about 146,820 personnel, 3,363 tanks, 6,600 armoured combat vehicles, 2,363 artillery units, 474 multiple launch rocket systems, 247 air defence systems, 299 warplanes, 287 helicopters, 2,033 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,224 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 229 units of special equipment.

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

Today marks one year since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the situation in southern Ukraine is “quite dangerous” in some areas and fighting in the east of the country is “very difficult”.

Zelensky said that on the first anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion, Moscow had again hit the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson and cut off heating to over 40,000 people.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has said that Russian forces have increased attacks along the eastern front, adding that they had repelled nearly 100 assaults in the east and north-east of the country in the last 24 hours.

Ukraine is also reportedly bracing itself for potential Russian attacks on its key cities amid concerns that Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, will mark the first anniversary of his full-scale invasion with more missile strikes.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding that Moscow withdraw its forces from Ukraine. In total, 141 countries voted in favour of the resolution and 32 countries abstained on Thursday night.

China was among the 32 countries to abstain. Six countries joined Russia and voted against the resolution, including Belarus, North Korea, Syria, Nicaragua, Mali and Eritrea.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary-General, has said that the Alliance has seen evidence that Beijing is thinking about supplying Russia with weaponry and warned China against doing so.

Stoltenberg said that if China assisted Russia, this would amount to supporting “a blatant violation of international law”, adding that as “a member of the UN Security Council”, China “should not in any way support violation of the UN charter or international law.”

Dai Bing, China’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, has said that “brutal facts offer ample proof that sending weapons will not bring peace.”

Dai said that China’s main priority was to facilitate a ceasefire and help end the hostilities “without delay”.

He added that China was ready to “continue playing a constructive role” in helping to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Foreign Minister, strongly rejected Dai’s claim that Western powers were making the situation worse by arming Ukraine.

Putin has said that Russia will deploy its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, which is also known as “Satan 2”.

During his address to mark the “Defender of the Fatherland” holiday in Russia on Thursday, Putin also said that Russia will roll out new nuclear submarines and hypersonic missiles and that Russia would “pay increased attention” to boosting its nuclear forces.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that his country will send six Leopard tanks to Ukraine and will increase that to 10 if necessary. He also offered to train Ukrainian soldiers to use the tanks.

Speaking during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday, Sanchez said: “We will stay by Ukraine’s side until peace returns to Europe.”

Finland’s Ministry of Defence has said that it will send three Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. This comes after Sweden said that it was open to sending some of its Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Australia is sending drones to Ukraine and increasing sanctions against Russia. The Czech government has announced further military aid to be shipped to Ukraine.

A US Army official has reportedly said that it could take two years for its M1 Abrams tanks to be delivered to Ukraine.