This is the moment Ukrainian OMEGA Special Forces take out a Russian war machine near Avdiivka with a rocket launcher.
The footage shows a Ukrainian soldier firing the weapon, with the images then cutting to the Russian war machine being hit.
The images were obtained from the National Guard of Ukraine on Friday, 20th October, along with a statement saying: “The troops of the Russian Federation do not stop trying to surround Avdiivka, they conduct numerous assault attempts.
“Our soldiers firmly hold the defence, causing significant losses in manpower and equipment to the enemy.
“The Special Forces of the National Guard are also working effectively in this area.
“So, this last day, fighters of the 5th Special Purpose Unit ‘OMEGA’ near Avdiyivka destroyed 10 pieces of equipment: two tanks; two BMPs; two armoured personnel carriers; three BBMs; one car.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 604th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 20th October 2023, Russia had lost about 292,060 personnel, 5,047 tanks, 9,557 armoured combat vehicles, 7,012 artillery units, 822 multiple launch rocket systems, 548 air defence systems, 320 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,326 drones, 1,535 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,370 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 985 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s lower house of Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) due to its ties to Russia in a bill that requires a second reading and the signature of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to become law.
This is despite the church claiming that it is independent and supports Kyiv’s fight to repel Russia’s invasion.
The Ukrainian authorities accuse the UOC of collaborating with Russia after its invasion of the country in 2022.
Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun said the vote was “extremely important”, adding: “So far, this is only the first reading but it is still a historic decision.”
Sovsun also said: “In order to defeat the aggressor, we need to think asymmetrically and leave no room for Russia to harm us.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who has been meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, has reportedly said that he wants to build a “forward-looking” relationship with Moscow.
US President Joe Biden and Zelensky have spoken by phone, with the Ukrainian President thanking his American counterpart for supplying long-range ATACMS missiles.
Zelensky said on social media that Ukrainian forces “are successfully using them on the battlefield”.
Kazakhstan has banned exports to Russia of 106 goods that could be used by Moscow in its war in Ukraine.
NATO’s increasing patrols in the Baltic Sea after recent damage to underwater infrastructure.
NATO said in a statement: “The increased measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights. A fleet of four NATO minehunters is also being dispatched to the area.”
