Russia has said that it hit Ukrainian forces with Iskander missiles.
The footage shows Russian soldiers removing camouflage netting from an Iskander mobile short-range ballistic missile system before it can be seen manoeuvring out of a forested area and into a field.
The Russian war machine can then be seen driving along a dirt track and taking up positions in a grassy clearing between the field and a forested area.
It can then be seen deploying its ordnance and readying to fire.
The images then show a missile shooting into the sky at night as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 26th June, along with a statement claiming: “The crew of an OTRK ‘Iskander’ of the Western Military District struck a blow to the accumulation of forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The Russian MoD added: “In the course of the special military operation, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to strike with precision-guided missiles at military facilities and units of the armed forces of Ukraine. Thus, the crew of the operational-tactical missile system (OTRK) ‘Iskander’ of the Western Military District dealt a blow to the accumulation of enemy forces, which helped the motorised rifle units of the RF [Russian Federation’s] Armed Forces to move forward.
“The location of the target was revealed by reconnaissance. After receiving the coordinates, the missilemen were tasked with preparing the system for use.
“The crew advanced to the starting position, in a matter of minutes deployed the launcher to the combat position and launched the rocket. After completing the task, the soldiers changed their position.
“For this successful launch, the crew commander, a serviceman with the call sign Don, was awarded the Zhukov medal.
“The Iskander missile battalions are on round-the-clock combat duty and are ready to strike at the enemy at any moment. For security purposes, the missilemen change their location daily, mask the OTRK in new shelters.”
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 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.”
