WAR IN UKRAINE: Ukrainian Paratroopers Take Out Two Russian Tanks With Javelin Missile System

Story By:  Ana MarjanovicSub-EditorMichael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

These images purport to show Ukrainian paratroopers taking out two Russian tanks with Javelin missile systems.

The images appear to show one tank after it had been hit and a second one being destroyed.

It is currently unclear where exactly the images were filmed but they were obtained from the Command of the Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who said in a statement on Wednesday, 15th June: “Soldiers of the 80th Separate Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed two modern Russian T-90 ‘Vladimir’ tanks with a Javelin anti-aircraft missile system.

Soldiers of the 80th separate airborne assault brigade of the DShV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claim that destroyed two modern Russian T-90 “Vladimir” tanks with a Javelin anti-tank missile system in Ukraine. (Command of the Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine/Newsflash)

The statement added: “We continue to perform combat missions and destroy Russian invaders! Death to the Russian occupiers!”

They signed off with the now famous slogan “Slava Ukraini!”, which means “Glory to Ukraine!”

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.

Soldiers of the 80th separate airborne assault brigade of the DShV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claim that destroyed two modern Russian T-90 “Vladimir” tanks with a Javelin anti-tank missile system in Ukraine. (Command of the Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine/Newsflash)

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”.

Soldiers of the 80th separate airborne assault brigade of the DShV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claim that destroyed two modern Russian T-90 “Vladimir” tanks with a Javelin anti-tank missile system in Ukraine. (Command of the Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine/Newsflash)

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.