These images show the Ukrainian Air Force’s anti-aircraft guns shooting down a Russian kamikaze drone provided by Iran.
The footage shows an air defence system firing a missile into the sky where it can eventually be seen exploding on impact as it hits the drone.
The images were obtained from the ‘Centre’ Air Command of the Ukrainian Air Force on the night of Monday, 10th October, along with a statement saying: “Evening… Atmospheric video of the shooting down of a Rashist UAV by Air Force anti-aircraft guns!”
‘Rashist’ is a term that is often used by the Ukrainian forces when referring to the Russian invaders. It is a combination of the words ‘Russia’ and ‘fascism’.
The ‘Centre’ Air Command added that the drone was Iranian-made, saying: “How skillfully brave Ukrainian soldiers work, the launch of a rocket and how the enemy kamikaze drone ‘Shahed-136’ explodes – you want to watch forever! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Armed Forces! We will win!”
The images and statement were relayed by the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 230th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 11th October, Russia had lost about 63,110 personnel, 2,504 tanks, 5,162 armoured combat vehicles, 1,496 artillery units, 353 multiple launch rocket systems, 181 air defence systems, 268 warplanes, 235 helicopters, 1,114 drones, 295 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,916 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 136 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Russia launched an unprecedented 83 missiles at Ukraine on Monday, 10th October, according to Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials saying that they had managed to shoot down over 43 of them.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine has reported its latest casualty figures, stating that 14 people were killed and 97 were injured in the attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the rush-hour attacks were deliberately timed to kill civilians and knock out Ukraine’s power grid.
President Zelensky added that his country was “dealing with terrorists”, adding: “They deliberately chose such a time, such goals, in order to cause as much harm as possible.”
US President Joe Biden said that the United States “strongly condemns” the Russian missile strikes on cities across Ukraine, saying that they demonstrate Putin’s “utter brutality” against Ukrainian citizens.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has said that the international community “has a responsibility” to make clear that Putin’s actions are “completely unacceptable”.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has said that he was “deeply shocked” by Russia’s airstrikes.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Moscow’s attacks “constitute another unacceptable escalation of the war and, as always, civilians are paying the highest price.”
The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, has also condemned the “horrific and indiscriminate” missile attacks, while Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, said she was “shocked and appalled”.
The attacks have widely been seen as revenge by Russian President Vladimir Putin after the Kerch Bridge linking Crimea to Russia was hit by a massive explosion on Saturday morning, with Putin accusing Ukraine of a “terrorist act”.
A spokesperson for the German government said that the G7 members will hold emergency talks today, Tuesday, along with President Zelensky, to discuss the latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said his country and Russia would send joint military forces to Belarus’ western borders in response to what he labelled an aggravation of tension.
The two countries reportedly began combining some of their military forces shortly after the explosion on the Kerch Bridge joining Russian-occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland, according to Lukashenko. Poland has advised its citizens to leave Belarus.
