Russia has said that it has fired on Ukrainian positions using self-propelled guns, as this footage purports to show.
The images show one of the Russian war machines, camouflaged with tree branches, being prepared to fire.
It can then be seen being loaded with ordnance and repeatedly opening fire on unseen targets.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, 14th November, along with a statement claiming: “Crews of self-propelled guns ‘Giatsint’ of the Western Military District deliver precise strikes on enemy positions in the Kupyansk direction.”
The Russian MoD added: “During the special military operation, artillery units of the Western Military District continue to carry out fire missions to defeat artillery batteries of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, destroy defensive structures, suppress command posts, and destroy enemy fire weapons, weapons and military equipment.
“Crews of 152-mm self-propelled artillery units “Giatsint-S” of the Western Military District deliver precision strikes around the clock on enemy positions in the zone of the special military operation in the Kupyansky direction.
“Artillery crews of Giatsint-S cannons destroy military targets, fortifications and enemy personnel.
“Artillerymen have to work every day in the most difficult conditions, but trained crews spend only a few minutes after receiving the target coordinates before firing a shot.
“During combat missions, artillerymen strike camouflaged artillery positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine identified by reconnaissance units, remote from the line of contact, ammunition depots, fortified strongholds and long-term firing points, as well as concentrations of enemy manpower. Firing is carried out with 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells at a distance of more than 30 kilometres
“Carrying out fire missions, artillerymen interact with crews of unmanned aerial vehicles, which carry out reconnaissance of enemy positions and adjust the accuracy of gunfire.
“After live firing, the artillerymen change firing positions to spare ones to prevent return fire from the enemy and to replenish ammunition.
“Combat missions as part of the battery are performed by military personnel who were called up from the reserve as part of partial mobilization, and volunteers who have completed the full cycle of training and combat coordination in training centres and training grounds of the Western Military District, including in the rear areas of the special military operation.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 629th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 14th November 2023, Russia had lost about 313,470 personnel, 5,362 tanks, 10,086 armoured combat vehicles, 7,589 artillery units, 882 multiple launch rocket systems, 580 air defence systems, 322 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,649 drones, 1,561 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 9,973 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,081 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has said that aid for Ukraine will be “massively expanded” next year.
Baerbock said: “We will not only continue our support for Ukraine, we will continue to expand and increase it, especially on the part of the Federal Republic of Germany, not only with a view to the winter defence for the coming weeks and months, when it is clear that the Russian president will once again exploit the needs of the people in the cold winter.
“Our support will also be massively expanded, especially for the coming year.”
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said that his country will block the next instalment of military aid to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility, which is worth EUR 500 million, until Kyiv can provide “guarantees” that Hungary’s OTP bank and other firms will not be blacklisted as “international sponsors of war”.
Three people have died and at least 12 people have been injured after Russian shelling on Monday damaged a hospital and homes in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, North Korea, and Taiwan at a meeting at the APEC summit on Wednesday, 15th November.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the new British Foreign Secretary, former Prime Minister David Cameron, discussed aid for Ukraine, relations with China and the Israel-Hamas conflict during a telephone call on Monday, according to the US State Department.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller added: “Secretary Blinken and Lord Cameron underscored continuity in the US-UK special relationship and its importance to regional and global security.”
Blinken has promised Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, sustained US support during the winter in the face of expected Russian strikes on the country’s infrastructure.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, has called for military aid to Ukraine to increase, for decisions to be made in December regarding the beginning of negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, and for work on a 12th set of sanctions against Russia to be sped up.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, has said that Ukraine is the European Union’s top priority and that there would be “no fatigue to our commitment”.
