Russia has said that it has taken out a UK-built AS-90 armoured self-propelled artillery system that was supplied to Ukraine.
The footage purports to show the AS-90 being hit by a Russian kamikaze drone, causing a large explosion and for it to catch fire. It can be seen burning profusely until the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, 11th October, along with a statement claiming (in English): “UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system issued to AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] militants was neutralised by a precise strike of a loitering munition.
“After a strike, powder charges ignited and ammunition detonated.
“UK-made self-propelled artillery system was completely destroyed.”
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 596th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 12th October 2023, Russia had lost about 284,890 personnel, 4,905 tanks, 9,264 armoured combat vehicles, 6,763 artillery units, 811 multiple launch rocket systems, 545 air defence systems, 316 warplanes, 316 helicopters, 5,247 drones, 1,531 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,170 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 966 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian officials have said that a Russian missile hit a school in the town of Nikopol in central Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least four people.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional Governor of Belgorod, in Russia, has said that debris from a drone downed by anti-aircraft units had killed two people and injured two more when it hit a house.
Ukrainian military officials said on Wednesday that Russian forces have been carrying out a major push on the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka since Tuesday.
They added that Russian forces had reallocated large numbers of soldiers and military equipment to the area in Moscow’s largest attack on the town since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.
An international team of prosecutors looking to put key Russian officials on trial over the invasion of Ukraine has already reportedly gathered “thousands” of pieces of evidence.
Ukraine’s security service has said that it has identified two suspects believed to have acted as informants, helping Russia to strike a wake last week that killed 52 people.
Slovakia’s controversial pro-Russia former Prime Minister Robert Fico has reached a deal with centre-left and nationalist parties to form a coalition government that could see him return to office.
Fico has pledged to scale back support for Ukraine in a move that could see Slovakia align with Hungary.
