These images show Ukrainian drones dropping explosives on Russian infantry near Bakhmut.
The footage shows a first Ukrainian drone dropping explosives on top of a Russian soldier, with it detonating right next to him, with the soldier then seen lying injured on the ground and rolling over onto his side.
A second Russian soldier can then be seen running up to him to check on him before apparently beginning to walk away.
The footage then shows at least five Russian soldiers running through a forested area before a drone drops a second bomb on them, apparently injuring at least one soldier.
The images were obtained from the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday, 12th June, along with a statement saying: “Acrobatic tricks from Russian instructors: expectations VS reality.
“The reconnaissance company of the 3rd Assault Brigade practices dropping grenades on Russian infantry from UAVs.
“One of the episodes of the offensive operation recently carried out by the unit in the Bakhmut direction.”
The images were also relayed by the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 475th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 13th June 2023, Russia had lost about 216,650 personnel, 3,935 tanks, 7,642 armoured combat vehicles, 3,766 artillery units, 601 multiple launch rocket systems, 363 air defence systems, 314 warplanes, 300 helicopters, 3,309 drones, 1,183 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,473 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 511 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine has said that it has retaken seven villages so far in its counteroffensive.
This is according to Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar, who added on Monday: “The area of the territory taken under control amounted to 90 square kilometres.”
Ukraine has accused Russia of destroying a second dam with the goal of slowing down the advance of Ukraine’s military forces as they fight to retake territory currently occupied by the Kremlin’s forces.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, Valeriy Shershen, said that the Russian military has blown up a dam on the Mokri Yaly River in western Donetsk, which is where the Ukrainian forces are currently making the most progress.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday: “The fighting is tough, but we are moving forward, this is very important.”
He added: “I thank our guys for every Ukrainian flag that is now returning to its rightful place in villages on the newly de-occupied territory.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the counteroffensive will last weeks if not months, adding: “We want it to be as successful as possible so that we can then start a negotiation phase in good conditions.”
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary Of State, said that it was too early to say exactly how well Ukraine’s counteroffensive was going, but he added that the US is confident that it will be successful and is determined to support Ukraine in every way possible to ensure its success on the battlefield.
The Minister of the Interior of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko has said that 41 people are still missing after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed, causing huge floods. Ten people are known to have died so far.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has now started an investigation into the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, according to Zelensky.
NATO reportedly carried out its largest military jet exercise ever in the skies above Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, on Monday.
Some 10,000 soldiers from 25 countries reportedly took part, with 250 military jets being used.
The exercise was reportedly geared towards preparing for a hypothetical attack on one of NATO’s members.
Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Russia’s national day on Monday by saying that it was a “difficult time”.
Putin also reportedly appealed to the patriotic pride of Russian citizens.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence has said that it has signed a contract with the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces.
The move comes a day after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the notorious Russian mercenary organisation Wagner, said that he would boycott signing contracts with the Russian MoD.
