Russia has said that it has destroyed Ukrainian command posts in the Kupiansk region using Su-34 fighter jets.
The footage purports to show a Russian fighter jet being loaded with ordnance and prepared for takeoff before it can be seen taking to the skies.
It can then be seen flying at high altitude before dropping a bomb. The footage then shows the fighter jet reportedly returning to base.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 15th December, along with a statement claiming: “Su-34 VKS destroyed command posts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction.”
The Russian MoD added: “The crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed command posts, as well as transport vehicles and heavy armoured vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction with high-explosive aerial bombs.
“During a combat mission in the special military operation zone, the Su-34 crews, in accordance with the flight mission, entered the specified area and inflicted air strikes on the specified targets.
“The crews carried out bombing with high-explosive aircraft bombs with a universal planning and correction module (UMPC), which allows them to deliver precise strikes without entering the enemy air defence zone.
“Having received confirmation from intelligence, the pilots safely returned to the departure airfield.
“The crews perform air patrol missions and cover the actions of units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation at any time of the day and in any weather conditions, performing flights from their home airfield.”
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 660th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 15th December 2023, Russia had lost about 343,890 personnel, 5,706 tanks, 10,654 armoured combat vehicles, 8,099 artillery units, 920 multiple launch rocket systems, 605 air defence systems, 324 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 6,226 drones, 1,608 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 10,699 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,189 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
The European Union has decided to open membership negotiations with Ukraine.
The announcement was made on Thursday after hours of intense negotiations in Brussels.
The move comes despite opposition from Hungary, whose Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, had said he would veto any accession talks.
After hours of negotiations, Orban reportedly left the room as leaders decided to open accession talks, thus making the decision unanimous.
Orban said: “Hungary does not want to share in this bad decision, and for this reason Hungary did not participate in the decision today.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens.”
But European Union leaders later failed to agree to a EUR 50 billion aid package for Ukraine after a veto from Hungary.
The European Union has also decided to open membership negotiations with Moldova, with the country’s President, Maia Sandu, saying her country “turns a new page today.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held his annual end-of-year press conference, saying: “There will only be peace in Ukraine when we achieve our aims.”
Putin added that he was open to repairing relations with European countries and the United States but claimed that Russia had done nothing wrong regarding its invasion of Ukraine and blamed the West for “spoiling relations” with Russia.
Ukraine said on Thursday that it has downed dozens of drones launched by Russian forces at Odesa.
Finland will reportedly sign a defence agreement with the United States, according to the Finnish government, which will give the US military widespread access to Finland’s long border with Russia.
