Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
This is the tense moment when Ukrainian soldiers in an open field fire rockets at a Russian infantry fighting vehicle and then turn and run after scoring a direct hit.
The footage opens with two Ukrainian soldiers standing in an open field, one of whom is armed with a rocket-propelled grenade and who then fires at the Russian vehicle.
After scoring a direct hit on the vehicle, which is seen partially hidden behind some trees, the two squaddies then turn around and run to avoid return fire.
Aerial footage apparently filmed by a drone then reveals how the Russian military vehicle was apparently left damaged beyond repair by the strike.
Newsflash obtained the video from the Special Operations Forces (SSO) – one of the five branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – earlier today (Tuesday, 7th June).
The SSO said (in Ukrainian): “This BMP-2 was discovered by the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during special reconnaissance. And, deciding not to waste time or seconds, they destroyed the enemy’s equipment.”
The BMP-2 is a Soviet amphibious infantry fighting vehicle that entered service in 1980. It is operated by the militaries of several countries, including both Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine’s special forces did not specify where in the country the strike took place.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported earlier today that between 24th February and 7th June, Russia had lost about 31,360 troops in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military added Russia had also lost 1,390 tanks, 3,416 armoured fighting vehicles, 694 artillery pieces, 207 multiple launch rocket systems, 96 anti-aircraft systems, 212 warplanes, 177 helicopters, 2,405 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 warships, 553 unmanned aerial vehicles, 53 units of special equipment, and 125 cruise missiles.
The Russian Ministry of Defence reported earlier today that over the same period, “190 Ukrainian aircraft and 129 helicopters, 1,139 unmanned aerial vehicles, 333 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,443 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 478 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,807 field artillery and mortars, as well as 3,464 units of special military vehicles” had been destroyed during the “operation”.
The Ukrainian SSO is comprised of an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 personnel. It is headquartered in the capital Kyiv and its motto is “I come at you”.
The Kremlin is now saying the goal of its “operation” is to “liberate” or “protect the Donbass”. Today marks the 104th day of the invasion.
