This is the moment Ukrainian artillerymen blow up Russian tanks hidden in dense forests, turning them into scrap metal as they pummel their positions.
In the footage, tanks of Russian invaders visibly positioned in between the trees of thick woods can be seen burning as Ukrainians deliver powerful assaults with gunfire.
One by one, the invaders’ cover gets blown as their tanks are destroyed in violent explosions.
The images were obtained by Newsflash from the 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on 1st January, along with a statement: “Seeing eye of the conquerors. The 66th Army Brigade locates and destroys the Russian invaders even under the cover of dense forest.
“Soldiers of the 66th brigade are fighting for peace every day by destroying Russian occupants.”
The information was also relayed by the Office for Strategic Communications (StratCom) of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 314th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 3rd January, Russia had lost about 108,190 personnel, 3,036 tanks, 6,100 armoured combat vehicles, 2,033 artillery units, 424 multiple launch rocket systems, 214 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 270 helicopters, 1,839 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,735 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 181 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry has claimed responsibility for an attack in Makiivka, a Russian-held city in Donetsk that allegedly killed around 400 Russian soldiers.
The Russian Ministry of Defence 63 soldiers of recently mobilised troops died in the attack on Makiivka when Ukraine hit “a temporary deployment facility” with four US-supplied Himars missiles.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said it also “successfully” shot down 39 (Iranian-made) Shahed drones, two Orlan-10 drones and a Kh-59 cruise missile.
Russian drones have attacked infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv and the surrounding regions, damaging energy facilities and causing some power outages, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Russia is preparing a drone attack campaign to “exhaust” Ukraine.
“It is probably banking on exhaustion. Exhausting our people, our anti-aircraft defences, our energy,” Zelenskyy said in his Monday address.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s armed forces have shot down more than 80 drones since the beginning of 2023.
The UK Ministry of Defence said Russia’s attacks near Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region are unlikely to yield a significant breakthrough in the near future.
And former NATO general Hans-Lothar Domrose said a truce between Russia and Ukraine can be expected during 2023, possibly even in the early months.
