The so-called Donetsk People’s Republic has said that its artillery has taken out a Western-made Ukrainian armoured vehicle after it became stuck on the battlefield.
The images purport to show the moment the pro-Russian forces destroyed the vehicle as it was advancing on the battlefield.
The footage appears to show the vehicle manoeuvring on the battlefield before it becomes stuck, with artillery shells hitting closer and closer to it before eventually hitting it.
The images were obtained from the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on Tuesday, 11th July, along with a statement claiming: “The error of an inexperienced mechanic-driver of a Ukrainian Armed Forces BMP cost the lives of a Ukrainian nationalist armoured group.”
The DPR added: “Due to the negligence of the Ukrainian mechanic-driver, a Western-made armoured vehicle became firmly stuck while attempting to attack positions held by the 1st Donetsk Army Corps.
“An armoured group from the Ukrainian Armed Forces was dispatched for evacuation; however, due to panic and lack of coordination, they were unable to reach the stranded vehicle in time.
“Exploiting this situation, artillery personnel from the 132nd Brigade (formerly the 3rd Brigade of the Donetsk People’s Republic) severely punished the Ukrainian failures for their unprofessional actions on the front line.”
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 503rd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 11th July 2023, Russia had lost about 235,020 personnel, 4,089 tanks, 7,983 armoured combat vehicles, 4,385 artillery units, 672 multiple launch rocket systems, 414 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 310 helicopters, 3,693 drones, 1,271 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,966 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 640 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Turkey agreed on Monday to allow Sweden to join NATO ahead of a key summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius taking place today, 11th July, and tomorrow, 12th July.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that he wants to work with allies to discuss a pathway for Ukraine to join NATO, although the exact mechanism to do so is up for discussion.
This is according to the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, after Sunak met with US President Joe Biden.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin days after the aborted insurrection by the mercenary boss and his army, according to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson.
A Russian attack on humanitarian aid distribution point in south-eastern Ukraine on Monday killed seven people, according to Ukrainian emergency services.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his forces have “taken the initiative” and are pressing on with their campaign to retake Russian-occupied areas in south-eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said that her country’s forces had marked “a definite advance” on the southern flank of Bakhmut.
