This kamikaze drone strike footage shows a Russian truck fitted with an anti-aircraft gun being wiped out in a precision hit.
The footage cuts to a shot of the truck rolling backwards before coming to a stop as it billows flames and thick, black smoke.
The images were obtained on 15th June from the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade.
The K-2 combat group wrote: “Soon you will see a series of videos about the heroic defence of one of our positions, but for now, enjoy the destroyed enemy equipment.
“Aerial reconnaissance of the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade has detected poorly camouflaged enemy equipment, specifically a Ural truck with a ZU 23-2 anti-aircraft gun.
“The drone kamikaze team has analysed the data and proceeded with the mission. We recommend watching until the end and remember to smile during these difficult and stormy times.”
The battalion did not state where the footage was filmed. However, the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade is known to be active in and around the hotly-contested city of Bakhmut.
The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23×152 mm anti-aircraft twin-barrelled autocannon developed in the late 1950s. Its operators include both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 478th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 15th June 2023, Russia had lost about 218,500 personnel, 3,965 tanks, 7,683 armoured combat vehicles, 3,812 artillery units, 606 multiple launch rocket systems, 364 air defence systems, 314 warplanes, 301 helicopters, 3,357 drones, 1,199 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,519 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 519 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian General Staff spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun has reported that Ukrainian forces conducted successful operations north and north-west of Bakhmut, with more than 30 clashes taking place on 15th June.
Ukrainian Ground Forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi has said that Russia is continuing to move its most capable units towards Bakhmut and is conducting air strikes on Ukrainian positions.
According to Syrskyi, Ukrainian troops are continuing to carry out offensives in order to gradually displace the Russian army from in and around the city.
According to the Deputy Chief of Ukraine’s General Staff, Oleksii Hromov, there are no signs of Russia preparing for another large-scale mobilisation.
Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on 14th June that the Ukrainian army is suffering fewer losses than Russia, “despite the fake news spread by the Russians suggesting otherwise”.
According to a statement from Ukraine’s National Resistance Centre, 150 children have been illegally taken from Luhansk Oblast to Prikubansky District, southern Russia.
At least 19,393 children are known to have been illegally taken to Russia since the start of the invasion.
