Russia has said that its artillery took out Ukrainian forces attempting to attack their positions near Bakhmut.
The images purport to show the Ukrainian positions being hit by the Russian artillery.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Monday, 18th September, along with a statement claiming: “Soldiers of the 2nd Army Corps stopped attempted attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Artemovsk [Bakhmut] direction.
“The militants’ positions were destroyed by precise artillery strikes.”
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 572nd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 18th September 2023, Russia had lost about 272,940 personnel, 4,623 tanks, 8,834 armoured combat vehicles, 6,027 artillery units, 776 multiple launch rocket systems, 525 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 316 helicopters, 4,769 drones, 1,462 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 8,571 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 901 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly recaptured the strategically significant village of Klishchiivka, on the frontlines near Bakhmut, according to the country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence has said that it downed three Ukrainian drones over south-western Crimea on the evening of Sunday, 17th September.
Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, is returning home from Russia after a six-day trip that caused concern in the West over potential weapons deals between the two countries.
General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that North Korea may be able to bolster Russia’s artillery munitions but he added that this would not likely make a significant difference on the battlefield.
Russian custom records reportedly show that Russia has imported over USD 7.1 million worth of equipment manufactured by American energy giant Halliburton since the company announced the end of its Russian operations.
Haliburton is one of the world’s biggest companies providing services and products for the oil and gas industry and it reportedly sold its Russian office to local interests following the invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has said that Ukraine will continue its attacks against Russian ships in the Black Sea.
He said: “There will be more drones, more attacks, and fewer Russian ships. That’s for sure.”
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said that the United States is set to provide further aid to Ukraine next week.
The announcement comes as US President Joe Biden is set to host Zelensky at the White House next Thursday.
The UK Ministry of Defence has said that Russia will most likely be able to build up a significant stockpile of cruise missiles and use them to target Ukrainian infrastructure over the winter.
Poland was set to ban passenger cars from Russia from entering its country as of Sunday.
