Russia has said that it has taken out a Ukrainian command post and armoured vehicles using a Ka-52 attack helicopter.
The footage appears to show a number of Russian attack helicopters preparing for takeoff before one is seen taking to the sky and opening fire on unseen targets.
The footage then cuts to what appears to be a rocket fired from the helicopter hitting a target.
The images then purport to show the helicopter coming back in to land at its base.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 26th June, along with a statement claiming: “The crew of a Ka-52 attack helicopter of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed a stronghold and armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The Russian MoD added: “During the performance of combat sorties, army aviation pilots launched missiles at the fortified points of the Armed Forces of Ukraine units discovered.
“As a result of combat use, a command post and armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed.
“Army aviation in the course of the special military operation performs the tasks of escorting columns, destroying armoured vehicles, delivering troops, military cargo, air support for units performing tasks within the framework of a special operation.”
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.”
