Ukrainian Tank Fires At Russian Positions

These images show a Ukrainian tank firing at Russian positions.

The footage, apparently filmed from the perspective of a Ukrainian soldier on top of the tank, shows it repeatedly opening fire on Russian positions before reversing and continuing to fire.

The images were obtained from the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 7th March, along with a statement saying: “Good morning Ukraine! We continue to destroy the enemy, we are bringing our Victory closer! Believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine!”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 377th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 7th March 2023, Russia had lost about 154,830 personnel, 3,432 tanks, 6,714 armoured combat vehicles, 2,456 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 253 air defence systems, 303 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,095 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,323 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 236 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 has said that his country is committed to holding the contested city of Bakhmut despite being partially encircled by the Russians, saying that “no part of Ukraine” can “be abandoned”.

Both Ukraine and Russia are apparently struggling with an ammunition shortage, with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the notorious Russian mercenary organisation Wagner, saying that his representative had been denied access to the headquarters of Russia’s invasion force after he repeatedly complained about an ammunition shortage.

Ukrainian tanks fire at Russian military positions in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2023. (@AFUkraine/Newsflash)

Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister, has visited Mariupol to inspect “Russian reconstruction efforts of infrastructure”.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after being convicted in absentia for “conspiracy to seize power” and treason.

Tsikhanouskaya said that the verdict was punishment for trying to promote democracy.

The UK Ministry of Defence has said that there is a “realistic possibility” that Russia is going to re-equip its tank force with T-62s, first used in 1954, in a bid to make up for a shortfall in armour.

The tanks are reportedly destined for units that had been waiting for next-generation T-14 Armata main battle tanks.