Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
This footage purports to show how two Russian infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed by a Ukrainian-made anti-tank guided missile.
The clip opens with the Russian military vehicles unknowingly in the crosshairs as they make their way across a field.
An explosion is then seen and the vehicles can be seen giving off smoke as they grind to a slow halt.
Newsflash obtained the footage from the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces (DShV) – the airborne forces of Ukraine and one of the five branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – on 16th June.
The DShV said: “Zhytomyr paratroopers destroyed two BMP-2s of the Russian occupiers.
“Yes, the video shows how anti-tank soldiers of the 95th Air Assault Brigade of the DShV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine skilfully use the domestic Stugna-P anti-tank missile system and enchantingly burn two enemy BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.
“Death to the Russian occupiers! DShV – Always First! Glory to Ukraine!”
The BMP-2 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle developed by the Soviet Union. It entered service in 1980. The Ukrainian military is also one of its current operators.
The Stugna-P is a Ukrainian anti-tank guided missile system developed by the Luch Design Bureau in Kyiv. It entered service in 2011.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation” to “liberate the Donbass”. Today marks the 113th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 16th June, Russia had lost about 32,950 personnel, 1,449 tanks, 3,545 armoured fighting vehicles, 729 artillery pieces, 233 multiple launch rocket systems, 97 air defence systems, 213 warplanes, 179 helicopters, 591 tactical drones, 129 cruise missiles, 13 warships, 2,494 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 55 pieces of special equipment.
In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi are en route to Kyiv for talks. They are hoping to rebut what has been perceived as their lukewarm support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Washington has told China it risks ending up on the “wrong side of history” following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s assurance to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Beijing supports Russian “sovereignty”.
Thousands of civilians remain trapped in the key eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk, where the water supply is reported to be dwindling. Hundreds of civilians are taking shelter in the bunkers beneath the city’s Azot chemical plant.
Luhansk Oblast governor Serhiy Haidai said earlier this week that all three bridges into Sievierodonetsk had been destroyed, making delivering supplies and evacuating civilians impossible.
United States President Joe Biden has promised Kyiv another USD 1 billion in security assistance and weapons. And US General Mark Milley says Russia has lost around 20 to 30 per cent of its armoured force during the ongoing invasion.
