These images show how Ukrainian special forces used a drone to take out an advanced Russian surveillance system.
The footage shows the forces operatives operating the drone before the images cut to POV-style video of the drone honing in on its target, which can be seen perched on top of a building.
The images cut as the drone hits its target, with the footage then showing it doing so from a different angle.
The images were obtained from the Command of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 22nd May, along with a statement saying: “A Russian ‘Ironia’ was destroyed by SSO operators of Ukraine.
“A modern surveillance system was installed by the occupiers in one of the operational areas. With its help, they gathered information about the actions of the Defence Forces of Ukraine and identified the equipment and personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The SSO group of Ukraine, with the help of an attack drone, worked on the enemy complex and destroyed it, depriving the enemy of an important intelligence element. During the work of the SSO soldiers, their cover was provided by friendly units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.
“The ‘Ironia’ system includes a thermal imager, a rangefinder, a video recording function – all this allowed the enemy to conduct round-the-clock surveillance and respond in time to the actions of Ukrainian units.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 454th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 23rd May 2023, Russia had lost about 204,360 personnel, 3,789 tanks, 7,419 armoured combat vehicles, 3,318 artillery units, 565 multiple launch rocket systems, 327 air defence systems, 309 warplanes, 295 helicopters, 2,864 drones, 1,015 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,139 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 433 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Anti-Putin militia have claimed that they have overrun a Russian border settlement in Belgorod.
Fighting has broken out along Russia’s border with Ukraine after self-styled Russian partisan forces calling themselves the Freedom of Russia Legion launched a cross-border raid.
They said their goal is to liberate Russia from Vladimir Putin and claimed to have taken a border settlement for the first time since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian Governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, also claimed that Kozinka had come under fire from Ukrainian artillery.
He added that eight people had been wounded and most of the residents had left the area, saying that the situation remained “tense”.
Defence ministers from the Northern Group, made up of 12 northern European countries, met to discuss increasing the security of NATO’s eastern flank and strengthening Ukraine’s defences.
The British government said in a statement that “ministers and representatives from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK met in Warsaw”.
The meeting was attended by UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said: “Defence partnerships like the Northern Group are vital to tackle shared threats. As likeminded nations we are determined to continue our support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, for as long as it takes.”
The Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, said on Monday that providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would raise questions about NATO’s role in the conflict, adding that any Ukrainian strikes on Crimea would be considered strikes on Russia.
He added: “It is important that the United States be fully aware of the Russian response.”
