Russia has said that it is using T-80BVM tanks to defend its positions in Bakhmut, as these images purport to show.
The footage shows Russian tanks repeatedly opening fire, with the images cutting to explosions in a treeline, reportedly the Ukrainian positions being hit.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, 22nd November, along with a statement claiming: “Soldiers of the 200th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Northern Fleet confidently defend the positions entrusted to them in the Artemovsk [Bakhmut] direction.”
The Russian MoD added: “Soldiers of the 200th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Northern Fleet confidently defend the positions entrusted to them in the Artemovsk direction. Crews of T-80BVM tanks perform fire missions almost around the clock.
“The crew of one of the tanks, working from a closed firing position, fires at a Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold. When performing fire missions, tank crews closely cooperate with reconnaissance units. Reconnaissance of targets and adjustment of fire are carried out, among other things, using unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result of coordinated combat work, the tank crews hit a mortar crew and a dugout with enemy manpower.”
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 637th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 22nd November 2023, Russia had lost about 320,670 personnel, 5,446 tanks, 10,188 armoured combat vehicles, 7,769 artillery units, 899 multiple launch rocket systems, 589 air defence systems, 323 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,784 drones, 1,564 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 10,159 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,105 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has said that Iran might provide Russia with ballistic missiles to use in Ukraine.
Kirby added: “In return for that support, Russia has been offering Tehran unprecedented defence cooperation, including on missiles, electronics and air defence.”
US President Joe Biden’s request for over USD 61 billion in funds to support Ukraine remains stalled in Congress.
Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that his country will support Ukraine with a further EUR 1.3 billion military aid package.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has said that over 10,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
But it added that it believes the real number will be “significantly higher” as its work is ongoing.
Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said that Russian forces hit the port’s infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city on Tuesday evening.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, has said during a visit to Kyiv that he expects a meeting next month about Ukraine’s EU membership to be “difficult”.
The European Commission has recommended opening membership talks but they cannot begin until all 27 member states agree.
Michel told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “I will do everything in my power to convince my colleagues that we need a decision in December.”
Zelensky said: “We believe that the EU will be ready to do its part … so that by the end of the year in December, the result will be a political decision to start accession negotiations.”
