These images show a captured Russian tank that Ukrainian troops said had been “reinforced” with sewer manhole covers to protect its crew in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine.

The footage shows the disabled Russian tank, still sporting the now infamous white ‘Z’ symbol, with some wheels missing.

The ‘Z’ is one of the symbols, as well as the letters ‘V’ and ‘O’ that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

The front of the tank appears to feature two sewer manhole covers placed there to protect the crew inside.

The images then show other destroyed and captured Russian military vehicles, along with what appears to be a haul of ammunition.

The images were obtained from the Command of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces on Tuesday, 8th November, along with a statement saying: “The stolen sewer manhole covers could not protect the Russian tankers from fair punishment.

“In the Kherson region, soldiers of one of the airborne brigades of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to liberate their native land from the invaders.

“Thus, the video recorded the effective destruction by Ukrainian paratroopers of military equipment and personnel of the armed forces of the aggressor country.

“It should be noted that the enemy, in order to survive, resorts to various, sometimes ridiculous tricks.

“Thus, on one of the knocked-out tanks, Ukrainian soldiers discovered ‘additional armour’, namely stolen sewer manhole covers, which were supposed to serve as protection for the crew from damage.

“But this did not help them to save themselves – the final result is exactly the same. This will continue to be the case with every invader!

“Death to the Russian invaders! Glory to the Air Assault Forces! Glory to Ukraine!”

The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) 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 259th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 9th November, Russia had lost about 77,950 personnel, 2,801 tanks, 5,666 armoured combat vehicles, 1,802 artillery units, 393 multiple launch rocket systems, 205 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 260 helicopters, 1,483 drones, 399 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,227 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 159 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 military forces will not yield “a single centimetre” of land as they battle with Russia over control of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Zelensky added: “The activity of the occupiers remains at an extremely high level – dozens of attacks every day.”

He also said: “They are suffering extraordinarily high losses. But the order remains the same – to advance on the administrative boundary of Donetsk region. We will not yield a single centimetre of our land.”

Zelensky said that approximately four million people are currently without electricity across Ukraine as a result of systematic and targeted attacks by Russia on the country’s energy infrastructure.

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that Russia is preparing new fortified lines deep inside the territory in Ukraine that it currently controls “to forestall any rapid Ukrainian advances in the event of breakthroughs”.

The Russians are also reportedly installing large concrete barriers to stop tanks, notably near Mariupol, to protect the “land bridge” Moscow has established since the beginning of the invasion between occupied Crimea and Russia.

Zelensky has called for the Black Sea grain export deal, which was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, to be extended. The deal is currently set to expire on 19th November.

Zelensky addressed the COP27 climate summit in Egypt by video link and said that world leaders will be unable to tackle the climate crisis unless Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of his country comes to an end.

Zelensky said: “There can be no effective climate policy without peace.”

The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, has said that Putin will join the G20 summit next week “if the situation as possible”. He added that Putin might attend virtually instead.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin would decide by the end of the week if he was going to attend the summit in person.

Zelensky is set to take part in the G20 meeting, most probably by video link, according to his spokesperson. It has previously been stated that Zelensky was not going to attend if Putin was present.