These images show Ukrainian kamikaze drones taking out Russian soldiers in trenches near Avdiivka as they attempt to shoot them down.
The footage shows the group of Russian soldiers opening fire with their assault rifles from trenches on the frontlines.
They can be seen targeting a drone offscreen, firing into the air.
But they fail to shoot it down and it hits their position, apparently injuring one of the soldiers who can be seen being dragged back into the trench by one of his colleagues.
The images then show a second drone hitting the Russian position and apparently injuring another soldier.
The video then shows at least two Russian soldiers lying in the trench and not moving while their colleagues appear to begin to leave the area as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 21st November, along with a statement saying: “Avdiivka direction!
“After large-scale losses of their equipment, the occupiers try to storm the infantry in small groups.
“But knowing that they will not live long, the mobilized Russians pretend to be dead on the battlefield.
“They lie down next to the corpses of their ‘brothers’ or cover themselves with rags.
“Operators of the 47th Airborne Forces company of a separate mechanized brigade closely monitor their every breath. High-quality cameras notice even minor movements of the occupants.”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Wednesday, 22nd November.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 637th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 22nd November 2023, Russia had lost about 320,670 personnel, 5,446 tanks, 10,188 armoured combat vehicles, 7,769 artillery units, 899 multiple launch rocket systems, 589 air defence systems, 323 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,784 drones, 1,564 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 10,159 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,105 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has said that Iran might provide Russia with ballistic missiles to use in Ukraine.
Kirby added: “In return for that support, Russia has been offering Tehran unprecedented defence cooperation, including on missiles, electronics and air defence.”
US President Joe Biden’s request for over USD 61 billion in funds to support Ukraine remains stalled in Congress.
Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that his country will support Ukraine with a further EUR 1.3 billion military aid package.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has said that over 10,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
But it added that it believes the real number will be “significantly higher” as its work is ongoing.
Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said that Russian forces hit the port’s infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city on Tuesday evening.
Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, has said during a visit to Kyiv that he expects a meeting next month about Ukraine’s EU membership to be “difficult”.
The European Commission has recommended opening membership talks but they cannot begin until all 27 member states agree.
Michel told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: “I will do everything in my power to convince my colleagues that we need a decision in December.”
Zelensky said: “We believe that the EU will be ready to do its part … so that by the end of the year in December, the result will be a political decision to start accession negotiations.”
