Russia has said that it has used tanks to destroy Ukrainian fortified positions, as these images purport to show.
The footage shows Russian tanks manoeuvring across the battlefield and opening fire on unseen targets.
The video also shows a Russian tank taking cover in a forested area before a soldier camouflages it with foliage.
The soldier then performs some checks on the tank, including looking at fuel or oil levels, before the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 27th May, along with a statement claiming: “Tankers of the North group of troops, during combat missions, destroyed fortified positions of Ukrainian terrorist formations in the area of the Northern Military District.”
The Russian MoD added: “The crews of the tanks of the North group of forces in their area of responsibility often go out to work with direct fire on the enemy. The footage shows a combat vehicle firing at fortified positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“The work is carried out from the field. The tank’s gun is capable of direct fire at a distance of up to three kilometres.
“In combat, tanks also operate from closed firing positions. This is when the tank actually turns into an artillery piece. The projectile flies faster to the target, and the vehicle itself is more manoeuvrable.
“However, during assault operations in urban environments, tanks are also used at short distances, when the vehicle fires directly.
“The crew of this T-72B3M tank with the name ‘Lazy’ recently participated in the liberation of one of the settlements in the Kharkiv region. The servicemen themselves spoke about how the battles for the village took place.”
The statement quotes a mechanic-driver of a T-72B3M tank with the call sign ‘Chugun’ as saying: “The tank was called that because it is too lazy to leave until it finishes off the enemy. … Much depends on the driver – the life of the crew. Turn correctly so as not to get punched. If you see an enemy, you must immediately report to the commander. …”
The statement also quoted the commander of a tank platoon with the call sign ‘Pandora’ as saying that the infantry positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were not ready to meet their tanks, saying: “Before going on direct fire, we received a task from the battalion commander and moved to the point.
“When moving forward, everything was relatively quiet. We went out and worked. As we approached, the shelling had already begun. When you sit in a tank, you don’t see or feel all this. Since the commander also has a thermal imager connected to the gunner, I saw the enemy’s manpower. They were armed with small arms.”
The statement continued: “The T-72B3M tank is one of the most modern Russian tanks. An automated fire control system allows him to quickly navigate the battlefield. This is achieved, for example, by a thermal imaging sight with an automatic target search system and a weather data sensor.
“Tankers carry out combat work around the clock. The priority targets are fortifications and enemy military equipment, incl. foreign production.
“After firing, the tankers change positions to exclude return fire from enemy artillery or attacks on the tanks by kamikaze drones. In this case, combat vehicles are equipped with a powerful modern protection system, which includes electronic warfare equipment and enhanced dynamic protection.
“Wherever the enemy decides to move, reconnaissance officers will be among the first to know about it and transmit the coordinates to the command.
“The T-72B3M tank has modified armour and more dynamic protection.
“Additional security for tankers is provided by a cover group: motorized riflemen monitor the airspace and are ready to confront enemy groups if they are nearby.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
