Russia has claimed that it has thwarted a Ukrainian attack and destroyed German-made Leopard tanks and American-made Bradleys.
The footage purports to show Russian artillery repeatedly opening fire with ‘Giacint-S’ self-propelled guns on unseen Ukrainian forces.
The images then appear to show a Russian attack helicopter flying in the sky before the footage cuts to drone images showing explosions on the ground, reportedly on Ukrainian positions.
The images were obtained from the Russian Minister of Defence (MoD) says on Friday, 14th July, along with a statement claiming: “The crews of ‘Giacint-S’ self-propelled guns of the Southern Military District thwarted the attack of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the settlement. Rabotino on the Orekhovsky direction.”
The Russian MoD added: “Artillerymen of the Southern Military District, supporting the actions of motorized rifle units of the Russian Armed Forces, continue to strike at the attacking units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, destroying tanks, armoured combat vehicles and accumulations of enemy manpower in the Orekhovskoye direction.
“Units of Ukrainian nationalists have been trying for several days to break through the line of defence in the area of responsibility of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division of the Southern Military District. Carrying out regular unsuccessful attacks in the area of the settlement of Rabotino in the Orekhovsky direction, the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the early approaches, they encounter the main obstacle in further advancement – Russian artillerymen.
“The armoured vehicles delivered to Ukraine by Western countries are the first to be hit. German Leopard tanks and American-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are being destroyed by accurate fire from artillery crews of 152-mm Giacint-S self-propelled guns.
“The most intense fighting under the settlement takes place at night, but during the day the artillery Kannada does not subside.
“Subdivisions, performing fire missions, use the tactics of “roaming” guns, firing 5-6 shots at a target within four minutes and then changing firing positions. Correction of the accuracy of fire is carried out by calculations of unmanned aerial vehicles.
“After the destruction of armoured vehicles, assault groups enter the battle, leaving no chance for Ukrainian units to advance to the defence lines of the Russian troops.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 506th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 14th July 2023, Russia had lost about 236,590 personnel, 4,097 tanks, 8,008 armoured combat vehicles, 4,449 artillery units, 680 multiple launch rocket systems, 423 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 310 helicopters, 3,783 drones, 1,273 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 7,019 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 662 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
US President Joe Biden said he does not believe there is “any real prospect” that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military forces have reportedly received cluster munitions promised to them by the United States to help boost Kyiv’s counteroffensive against invading Russian forces.
Ukrainian General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said: “We just got them, we haven’t used them yet, but they can radically change [the situation].”
Lloyd Austin, the US Defence Secretary, has said that he is sure that Ukraine will become part of NATO after Russia’s war ends, saying: “I have no doubt that will happen, and we heard just about every country in the room say as much.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the NATO summit in Vilnius yielded “a good result”, saying on Thursday evening: “For the first time since independence, we have formed a security foundation for Ukraine on its way to NATO.”
Ukraine has said that its air defences shot down 20 Shahed drones as well as two Kalibr missiles fired by Russia on Wednesday.
Russian Major General Ivan Popov, who was the commander of Russia’s 58th Combined Arms Army fighting near Zaporizhzhia, has said that he was fired as a commander after telling his superiors “the truth” about the dire situation on the frontlines in Ukraine.
A top Russian official has said that General Sergei Surovikin is “resting” and “not available”.
Surovikin, who had previously led the Russian invasion forces in Ukraine, has not been seen in public since the Wagner uprising.
