This footage shows Ukrainian air defence systems shooting down incoming Russian cruise missiles aimed at critical civilian infrastructure.
The air defence systems can be seen firing intercept missiles at the Russian cruise missiles, which can be seen exploding as they are hit in mid-air.
The images were obtained from Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Monday, 12th September, along with a statement saying: “As we reported on 11th September, around 8:30 p.m., the occupiers launched missile attacks on the territory of Ukraine. The targets of the missiles were precisely the critical infrastructure of our state.
“Twelve launches of sea-based and air-based cruise missiles – Kalibr and Kh-101 were carried out. Nine out of 12 missiles of the occupiers were destroyed by anti-aircraft missile units of the ‘East’ and ‘Centre’ Air Commands of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“The video shows the combat operation of the S-300PT anti-aircraft missile systems of servicemen of the East Air Command. Great result! Let’s beat the enemy together! Together – to victory!”
The images were also relayed by Air Command ‘East’ of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 201st day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 12th September, Russia had lost about 52,950 personnel, 2,168 tanks, 4,640 armoured combat vehicles, 1,269 artillery units, 311 multiple launch rocket systems, 162 air defence systems, 243 warplanes, 213 helicopters, 903 drones, 216 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,463 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 117 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, as a result of considerable Ukrainian gains against Russian forces: “We will call it victory.”
Russia has reportedly retaliated by targeting critical infrastructure in central and eastern Ukraine.
The Mayor of Kharkiv city, Ihor Terekhov, has said that much of the city is without electricity or water as a result of Russian strikes which she said were “revenge” for Ukraine’s victories on the battlefield in the last few days.
President Zelensky said that there was a “total blackout in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, a partial one in the Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions.”
He added that the Russians had hit “no military facilities”, labelling the “deliberate and cynical missile strikes” on civilian targets as terrorism.
The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said: “Russia’s apparent response to Ukraine liberating cities and villages in the east: sending missiles to attempt to destroy critical civilian infrastructure.”
Ukraine’s Air Force said on Sunday night that it had shot down seven cruise missiles after Russia launched 11 towards Ukraine’s eastern regions.
Ukraine’s nuclear power company Energoatom has said that the last operating reactor at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has now been shut down, with operations at the plant, which is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, now “completely stopped”.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reportedly traded blame during a phone call over concerns at the nuclear power plant.
Putin ally and the leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has criticised the Russian army’s leadership after it was apparently caught off guard by Ukraine’s counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine.
Kadyrov also suggested that Putin may be unaware of the actual state of affairs.
