These images show an American-made HAWK surface-to-air missile system destroying Russian air targets in Ukraine.
The footage shows the HAWK surface-to-air missile (SAM) firing its ordnance into the night sky and hitting its target.
The images show a second missile being fired and exploding as it hits its target before the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, on Monday, 23rd October, along with a statement saying: “100 – the percentage result is not easy, but we will get closer to it every day, strengthening our air defence!
“Western weapons have proven and continue to prove their effectiveness on the battlefield!
“The video shows the combat work of the American HAWK air defence system this night, which, along with the more modern anti-aircraft missile systems of the allies, defends the Ukrainian sky!
“Thanks to all the defenders of the sky for the current result, thanks for the speed and perseverance in mastering new systems!
“We are strengthening our air defence, defending the country! Together to victory!”
The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along with a statement saying: “The video of the combat operation of the American HAWK air defence system this night was published by the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk.
“According to him, the weapons provided by the partners have proven and continue to prove their effectiveness on the battlefield.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 608th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th October 2023, Russia had lost about 295,510 personnel, 5,105 tanks, 9,669 armoured combat vehicles, 7,081 artillery units, 828 multiple launch rocket systems, 552 air defence systems, 320 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,363 drones, 1,537 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,447 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,006 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has submitted a bill to his country’s parliament to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership.
Turkey is the only NATO member along with Hungary which are yet to ratify Sweden’s membership request.
The Swedish government has said that damage to telecommunication cables between Sweden and Estonia earlier this month was caused by “external force or tampering”.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Russia is “the most heinous evil the world has witnessed since WWII”.
He added that the Russian president and other “Russian perpetrators must face justice for their crimes”.
The US is seeking the forfeiture of a USD 300 million superyacht called Amadea that it says is controlled by sanctioned Russian billionaire and oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.
The yacht was seized in Fiji and is currently docked in San Diego, with the case now before a court in Manhattan.
