This is the moment a Ukrainian kamikaze drone hits a Russian trench.
The footage shows the Russian trench filmed from a drone before the images cut to the kamikaze drone taking off and honing in on its target.
The footage cuts to the observation drone as the kamikaze drone hits its target in a large explosion, apparently injuring a number of Russian soldiers.
The images were obtained from the 71st Separate Jager Brigade of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 26th June, along with a statement saying: “A kamikaze drone of the 71st hunting brigade of the DSHV [Ukrainian Air Assault Forces] hit an enemy trench.
“A thermobaric charge exploded near the Russian observation post. Several occupiers received severe contusions and injuries. No one was in a hurry to help them – the rest of the occupiers ran into the holes.”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 488th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 26th June 2023, Russia had lost about 225,580 personnel, 4,031 tanks, 7,820 armoured combat vehicles, 4,055 artillery units, 624 multiple launch rocket systems, 385 air defence systems, 314 warplanes, 308 helicopters, 3,482 drones, 1,259 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,751 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 557 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that an aborted uprising by the Wagner mercenary organisation, which saw its forces take two key Russian cities as they marched towards Moscow, has revealed “real cracks” in the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Blinken added that it could offer Ukraine a crucial advantage for its counteroffensive that could influence the outcome of the conflict. He also said: “This is an unfolding story and I think we’re in the midst of a moving picture.”
And Blinken added: “We haven’t seen the last act.”
Neither Putin nor Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin have made any statements since the rebellion ended with the latter reportedly agreeing to exile in Belarus.
Gitanas Nauseda, the President of Lithuania, has warned that NATO will need to strengthen its eastern flank if the Wagner leader is exiled to Belarus, as has apparently been agreed with Moscow.
The Lithuanian President said: “If Prigozhin or part of the Wagner group ends up in Belarus with unclear plans and unclear intentions, it will only mean that we need to further strengthen the security of our eastern borders.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the events over the weekend have “exposed the weakness of Putin’s regime”.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron has said that the rebellion highlighted divisions inside the Russian government.
He said that Wagner’s march to Moscow “shows the divisions that exist within the Russian camp, and the fragility of both its military and its auxiliary forces.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday, later saying: “We talked about recent events in Russia.
“We agree that the Russian authorities are weak and that withdrawing Russian troops from Ukraine is the best choice for the Kremlin. Russia would be better served to address its own issues.”
