Russia has said that it has taken out Ukrainian aerial targets in South Donetsk using a Tor-M2 air defence system.
The footage shows a camouflaged Russian war machine, with Russian soldiers then seen removing the camo netting and manoeuvring the air defence system out of a forested area and into position.
The Russian military vehicle can then be seen preparing to fire before launching a missile into the sky.
The footage then cuts to what appears to be a Russian missile hitting an aerial target.
The images then show what appear to be the remains of a downed Ukrainian drone.
The Russian air defence system and two trucks can then be seen manoeuvring away, with a soldier seen exiting the war machine in a forested area and entering what appears to be a dugout before the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, 22nd November, along with a statement claiming (in English): “Vostok Group of Forces Tor-M2 air defence system crews eliminate enemy aerial targets.
“Over the past few days, the Vostok Group of Forces Tor-M2 air defence system crews neutralised more than 20 aerial targets in South Donetsk direction.
“Air defence crews are well aware of enemy tactics. After 60 missile launches, Primorye-based air defence units stopped counting the amount of intercepted enemy targetss.” (sic)
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 638th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 23rd November 2023, Russia had lost about 321,800 personnel, 5,466 tanks, 10,224 armoured combat vehicles, 7,802 artillery units, 902 multiple launch rocket systems, 591 air defence systems, 323 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,799 drones, 1,564 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 10,198 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,107 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that he had urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw all Russian forces from Ukraine.
Scholz made the demand during the first G20 video call that the Russian president has participated in since the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
Speaking during the virtual G20 meeting, Putin said that Russia had always been “ready for talks” to end the “tragedy” of war and blamed Kyiv for a lack of communication.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the creation today, on Thursday, 23rd November, of a coalition made up of 20 nations to boost Ukraine’s air defences.
Zelensky said that the Western coalition would enable Ukraine’s “cities and villages to be better protected”.
The Ukrainian president said that the coalition was formed during a virtual meeting of the Ramstein group examining Ukraine’s military needs.
Germany said that it would be taking on a leading role alongside France.
Lithuania has said that it has delivered military aid to Ukraine including three million bullets as well as winter equipment and remote detonation systems.
The Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta reportedly shipped a record 29.4 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain between January and October.
Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, is threatening to block Ukraine’s candidacy to become a member of the European Union.
EU leaders will meet on 14th and 15th December to discuss Ukraine’s membership bid.
