Russia has said that its MiG-31 aircraft performed sorties to provide cover for their troops and to hit Ukrainian targets.
The footage appears to show a Russian pilot preparing for takeoff before at least two aircraft are seen taking to the skies from an undisclosed location.
They are then seen flying high in the sky before coming in to land back at base.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Thursday, 9th November, along with a statement claiming (in English): “MiG-31 aircraft perform air patrolling in the special military operation zone.
“The aircraft crews perform sorties providing cover to troops and objects from enemy airstrikes and air reconnaissance. After locating the targets, the Russian Aerospace Forces crews perform targeting and launch missiles to eliminate the enemy.”
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 624th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 9th November 2023, Russia had lost about 308,720 personnel, 5,316 tanks, 10,014 armoured combat vehicles, 7,475 artillery units, 875 multiple launch rocket systems, 577 air defence systems, 322 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,593 drones, 1,557 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,853 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,059 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
A civilian vessel flying under a Liberian flag that was entering the Black Sea port of Odesa has been damaged by a Russian missile that killed one and injured four people, according to the Ukrainian military.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti has reported that Russia is sending Ukrainian prisoners of war into combat to fight on the Kremlin’s side.
Yulia Gorbunova, from Human Rights Watch, said: “Russian authorities might claim they are recruiting them on a voluntary basis but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where a prisoner of war’s decision could be taken truly voluntarily, given the situation of coercive custody.”
US National Security Spokesperson John Kirby has said that the United States has used up 96 per cent of the funds that it had allocated for Ukraine so far.
Slovakia’s new government has shot down a plan the country had previously set up to give rockets and ammunition to Ukraine. The move comes after Robert Fico, the incoming Prime Minister, pledged to stop providing Kyiv with military aid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that cooperation between his country and China on military matters is becoming increasingly important.
But he said that the two countries do not intend to implement a Cold War-style military alliance.
The leaders of the G7 countries have insisted that their support for Ukraine will “never waver”.
