These images show Ukrainian special forces destroying a series of Russian war machines near Bakhmut.
The Russian military vehicles, including electronic warfare systems and self-propelled guns, can be seen being hit by Ukrainian ordnance.
The images were obtained from the Command of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 11th July, along with a statement saying: “One of the units of the SSO of Ukraine, together with their comrades from the Defence Forces, destroyed nine units of enemy equipment in the Bakhmut direction.
“This time, the list of enemy losses was supplemented by two units of 2S5 ‘Giatsint’, two units of 2S7 ‘Peony,’ an R-325U ‘Leer’ electronic warfare station, two units of the P-18 ‘Malachite’ system, and a
‘Kasta-2E2’ system.
“Throughout the week, the operators of the Special Operations Forces conducted a hunt for important enemy equipment. After determining the coordinates of the enemy’s equipment and calculations, artillery strikes were carried out.
“We continue to destroy the occupants wherever they may be.
“We keep on working!”
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 504th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 12th July 2023, Russia had lost about 235,530 personnel, 4,090 tanks, 7,990 armoured combat vehicles, 4,402 artillery units, 674 multiple launch rocket systems, 415 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 310 helicopters, 3,726 drones, 1,271 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,978 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 647 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
NATO countries have said in a communique that Ukraine can join the Alliance “when allies agree and conditions are met”, recognising a need to move faster, although it did not provide a timeframe.
NATO said: “Allies will continue to support and review Ukraine’s progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that there appears to be “no readiness” to invite his country into the alliance.
He had said shortly before the communique was released: “A window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine’s membership in NATO negotiations with Russia. Uncertainties weakness.”
Zelensky said that he had “faith” but no confidence in NATO’s decision.
Before the communique was published, he had said that it would be “absurd” if Ukraine was not invited into NATO.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had said shortly before he flew to the two-day NATO summit that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO”.
Germany told the United Nations Security Council in a letter with Sweden and Denmark that it had found traces of explosives on a yacht that it believes “may have been used to transport the explosives” used to blow up the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September.
Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, a senior Russian draft officer who was also a submarine commander that Ukraine accused of deadly strikes on its territory, was shot dead on Monday while jogging in Krasnodar, in southern Russia.
The Russian FSB security service said on Tuesday that a 64-year-old male suspect had been arrested.
The British government will provide Ukraine with a support package for equipment repair and to set up in military rehabilitation centre, it said on Tuesday.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron has said that his country will begin providing Ukraine with long-range Scalp missiles.
Macron said: “I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment to enable the Ukrainians to have the capacity to strike deeply while keeping our doctrine to allow Ukraine to defend its territory.”
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, was critical of the NATO summit and of France’s offer of longer-range missiles.
