These images show a Russian BMP-3 being destroyed by a Ukrainian kamikaze drone as it hones in on its target and hits it near Bakhmut.
The footage, filmed by a camera aboard the drone, shows it zeroing in on the Russian war machine, with the images cutting to another drone filming it hitting the vehicle in a huge explosion, with the BMP-3 then seen burning profusely.
The images were obtained from the 77th Separate Aeromobile Brigade of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 26th October, along with a statement saying: “A BMP-3 of the enemy was destroyed by an FPV drone.
“In the area of Bakhmut, the enemy loses a significant amount of armoured vehicles and gets it ‘in the nuts’ from the soldiers of the 77th Separate Airmobile Brigade.
“This time, the paratroopers turned the Russian BMP into a pile of scrap metal.
“Together to victory! The Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, always first!
“Glory to Ukraine!”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 610th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 26th October 2023, Russia had lost about 297,120 personnel, 5,141 tanks, 9,715 armoured combat vehicles, 7,155 artillery units, 834 multiple launch rocket systems, 556 air defence systems, 320 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,389 drones, 1,538 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,507 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,010 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his country is preparing for fresh Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure as the second winter since the full-scale Russian invasion looms.
Zelensky said: “We are preparing for terrorist attacks on our energy infrastructure.”
He added: “This year we will not only defend ourselves, but also respond.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that a drone attack by Russia Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant temporarily cut power to off-site radiation monitoring stations.
The IAEA’s chief, Rafael Grossi, said: “This incident again underlines the extremely precarious nuclear safety situation in Ukraine.”
Zelensky accused Russia of targeting the power plant, saying: “It is most likely that the target for these drones was the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power station.
“The shockwave from the explosion shattered windows, including on the nuclear power station’s premises.”
Local Ukrainian authorities said that the attack involved 11 Shahed drones and injured 16 people.
Ukrainian officials have said that the Russian forces are continuing their push to capture the eastern city of Avdiivka despite heavy losses.
The Russian military claimed on Wednesday that it had shot down two long-range, American-made ATACMS missiles.
Russian state media said that it was the first time ATACMS missiles had been shot down.
Ukraine has said that it is aiming to increase its domestic production of drones, with the goal being to produce tens of thousands of them every month by the end of the year.
