These images show Ukrainian artillery destroying Russian positions on the frontlines as soldiers are seen fleeing for their lives.
The images show a number of Russian positions being targeted by Ukrainian ordnance, in treelines between fields, in partially destroyed buildings and on a small hilltop.
The images were obtained from the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 8th June, along with a statement saying: “The occupiers were so impressed that after the performance of the ‘Gods of War’ of the 28th OMBr, they immediately went to Kobzon’s concert.”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Iosif Davydovich Kobzon was a Russian singer, known for his crooner style, who died in 2018.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 470th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 8th June 2023, Russia had lost about 212,760 personnel, 3,891 tanks, 7,576 armoured combat vehicles, 3,668 artillery units, 595 multiple launch rocket systems, 355 air defence systems, 314 warplanes, 299 helicopters, 3,234 drones, 1,171 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,384 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 500 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Rasmussen has said that a group of NATO countries might be willing to send military forces to Ukraine if members of the alliance including the United States do not provide security guarantees to Kyiv at an upcoming summit in Vilnius.
Rasmussen said: “If Nato cannot agree on a clear path forward for Ukraine, there is a clear possibility that some countries individually might take action.
“We know that Poland is very engaged in providing concrete assistance to Ukraine.
“And I wouldn’t exclude the possibility that Poland would engage even stronger in this context on a national basis and be followed by the Baltic states, maybe including the possibility of troops on the ground.
“I think the Poles would seriously consider going in and assemble a coalition of the willing if Ukraine doesn’t get anything in Vilnius.”
He added: “We shouldn’t underestimate the Polish feelings, the Poles feel that for too long western Europe did not listen to their warnings against the true Russian mentality.”
At least three people are known to have died as a result of flooding caused by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, according to Ukrainian media.
Ukraine has said that hundreds of thousands of people will be left without water as a result of the destruction of the dam.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his priority is to evacuate civilians and restore access to drinking water.
The World Bank’s managing director for operations, Anna Bjerde, said on Wednesday that the World Bank will provide support to Ukraine by carrying out a swift assessment of the damage and the country’s needs as a result of the destruction of the dam.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday that Britain cannot confirm that Russia is responsible for the destruction of the dam, echoing the position of the United States.
During a visit to the US, Sunak said: “I can’t say that definitively yet.”
He added: “If true it will represent a new low. It’s an appalling act of barbarism on Russia’s part.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France will send aid to Ukraine “to meet immediate needs” following the flooding.
