Ukrainian special forces have destroyed a Russian SuperCam Spy UAV in Svitlodarsk.
SuperCam drones are designed to take high-quality aerial photography.
The footage shows Russian soldiers uncovering the drone next to a vehicle, apparently preparing to launch it.
The area is then hit by Ukrainian ordnance and although it does not hit the target directly, it does cause the drone to catch fire, reportedly killing one of the Russian soldiers and injuring another.
The images were obtained from the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 2nd November, along with a statement saying: “Fighters of the tactical group of the SSO [Special Operations Forces] ‘Medoids’ of the 3rd Separate Special Purpose Regiment named after Prince Sviatoslav the Brave inflicted a fire damage according to the calculation of the ‘SuperCam’ UAV of the Russian occupiers in the area of the temporarily occupied village of Svitlodarsk.
“As a result, one destroyed UAV, one destroyed occupier and one wounded.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 618th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 3rd November 2023, Russia had lost about 303,270 personnel, 5,265 tanks, 9,901 armoured combat vehicles, 7,328 artillery units, 854 multiple launch rocket systems, 566 air defence systems, 322 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,495 drones, 1,551 cruise missiles, 20 warships, 1 submarine, 9,691 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,034 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that withdraws Russia’s ratification of the global nuclear test ban treaty.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised Moscow for abandoning the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, saying: “Unfortunately, it represents a significant step in the wrong direction, taking us further from, not closer to, entry into force.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, said on Thursday that she was confident that the European Union would move Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc forwards next month.
The summit is seen as a key milestone for Kyiv to integrate with the West.
Germany has proposed an innovative and detailed roadmap for expanding the European Union that would give potential candidates like Ukraine early benefits including observer status before becoming full members.
Russia has rejected comments from Ukraine that the conflict, which has lasted nearly two years, has reached a stalemate.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “No, it has not reached a stalemate.”
He added: “Russia is steadily carrying out the special military operation. All the goals that were set should be fulfilled.”
Russia said on Thursday that it had jailed two Ukrainian soldiers who fought in the city of Mariupol.
Moscow is putting dozens of captive soldiers on trial, with thousands of Ukrainian troops taken prisoner after Russia seized control of Mariupol in May 2022 after besieging the city.
Ukraine has said today, on Friday, 3rd November, that it had shot down 24 out of 38 drones and one guided missile that were launched by Russian forces overnight.
Local authorities in Kharkiv have reported a massive drone attack last night.
The Ukrainian military has said that Russia launched a total of 70 airstrikes and seven missile attacks on Ukraine the previous day, targeting parts of the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kherson Oblasts.
The Ukrainian military has also reported that its troops had repelled multiple attacks by Russian forces on the frontlines near Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that its forces had repelled over 20 Russian attacks in the Marinka sector alone.
Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council Secretary, has said that Russia was preparing to attack his country’s critical infrastructure as soon as the temperatures drop.
