These images purport to show pro-Russian forces hitting Ukrainian positions with a multiple launch rocket system.
The footage shows a number of explosions in a forested area, reportedly the Ukrainian positions being hit by rockets fired from a TOC-1A ‘Solntsepyok’ multiple launch rocket system (MLRS).
The images were obtained from the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on Wednesday, 31st May, along with a statement claiming: “The ‘Solntsepyok’ heavy flamethrower system has been terrifying Ukrainian nationalists from the very beginning of the special military operation.
“Each hit of the TOC-1A results in the destruction of all enemies in the affected area.”
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 463rd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 1st June 2023, Russia had lost about 208,370 personnel, 3,804 tanks, 7,478 armoured combat vehicles, 3,474 artillery units, 575 multiple launch rocket systems, 333 air defence systems, 313 warplanes, 298 helicopters, 3,131 drones, 1,107 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,239 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 458 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that negotiating peace may need to take priority over ensuring Russian President Vladimir Putin goes on trial for war crimes.
Speaking in Bratislava, Macron said: “If in a few months to come, you have a window for negotiation with the existing Russian political power, the question you will have is an arbitrage between a trial and a negotiation.
“And you will have to negotiate with the leaders you have, de facto, even if the day after you will have to judge them in front of international justice.
He added: “Otherwise you can put yourselves just in an impossible situation where you say ‘I want you to go to jail but you are the only ones I can negotiate with’.”
The French President also said that NATO should offer Ukraine “tangible and credible” security guarantees, adding that it was in the interests of Western powers to do so as Ukraine “is today protecting Europe”.
NATO members are set to meet in Lithuania in July to discuss Ukraine’s membership in the alliance.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has said that a new USD 300 million arms package for Ukraine should not be used for attacks inside Russia.
He said: “We have been very clear with the Ukrainians privately – we’ve certainly been clear publicly – that we do not support attacks inside Russia.”
Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesperson for the German government, has said that Ukraine has the right to attack Russian territory as this qualifies as self-defence.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, said that Russia does not plan to declare martial law following Tuesday’s drone attack on Moscow.
The head of Russia’s notorious Wagner mercenary organisation, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has reportedly said that he has asked prosecutors to look into “crimes” that may have been committed by senior Russian defence officials prior to and during the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has claimed to have destroyed Ukraine’s last major warship, the Yuri Olefirenko, in the port of Odesa. Ukraine has not commented.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that the UK is Moscow’s “eternal enemy”.
He added that any British officials who had facilitated the war in Ukraine could be considered legitimate targets.
