This footage allegedly shows Russian artillery hitting Ukrainian positions.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, 30th August, along with a statement claiming that the images show Russian “airborne units destroying the positions of Ukrainian nationalists during a special military operation” using a Giatsint-B howitzer.
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 188th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 30th August, Russia had lost about 47,100 personnel, 1,947 tanks, 4,269 armoured combat vehicles, 1,060 artillery units, 279 multiple launch rocket systems, 149 air defence systems, 234 warplanes, 203 helicopters, 844 drones, 196 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,188 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 101 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian troops are launching a counteroffensive in the southern region of Kherson, according to military officials. The spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern command, Natalia Humeniuk, said on Monday: “Today we started offensive actions in various directions, including in the Kherson region.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday evening: “Anyone want to know what our plans are? You won’t hear specifics from any truly responsible person. Because this is war.”
He added: “But the occupiers should know: we will drive them to the border. To our border, the line of which did not change. The occupiers know it well. If they want to survive, it is time for the Russian military to flee.
“Go home. If you are afraid to return to your home in Russia – well, let such occupiers surrender, and we will guarantee them compliance with all norms of the Geneva Conventions.
“If they do not listen to me, they will deal with our defenders, who will not stop until they release everything that belongs to Ukraine.”
Zelensky advisor Oleksiy Arestovych said that Ukrainian troops have broken through the defensive positions of Russian forces in several frontline areas near the city of Kherson.
Arestovych said they were also targeting ferries in the Kherson region that Russian forces have been using to resupply occupied territory on the Dnieper River’s west bank.
Inspectors from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog arrived in Kyiv on Monday night. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said that the team will visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is Europe’s largest, from Wednesday to Saturday. He said: “We must protect the safety and security of Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility.”
