This footage reportedly shows a Russian tank being destroyed by Ukrainian artillery gunners from the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade who paid tribute to their fallen comrades today, which marks the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine.
The images reportedly show the Russian tank exploding as a thunderous sound can be heard, with black smoke rising into the air. Images, apparently shot from a drone, then show the burning wreckage of what appears to be a Russian tank.
The images were obtained from the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, also known as the 14th Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great, on Monday, 29th August, along with a statement saying: “Today is the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine who died in the struggle for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country…
“We remember everyone… We will take revenge for everyone… Every shot of our artillery is for destruction! One shot – one enemy tank less. We will win – in memory of you, brothers… For the sake of your and our children!
“Death to the enemies! Bright memory for the Heroes!”
Newsflash contacted the head of the public relations service of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major Fityo Volodymyr, who confirmed that the footage was authentic and that the information was accurate.
The images were also relayed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, along with a statement saying: “The warriors will continue their work.”
The 29th of August marks the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine. The date was picked in honour of the country’s soldiers who died at the Battle of Ilovaisk in the Donbas in 2014.
Ukrainian soldiers were impeded from withdrawing from Ilovaisk after having taken the city from pro-Russian forces (now the pro-Russian, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic) before eventually being encircled by a combination of Russian troops and pro-Russian forces.
Numerous Ukrainian soldiers died, despite the Ukrainian commander, Yuriy Bereza, having reportedly reached an agreement with the Russian commanders to allow them to leave. Russian President Vladimir Putin also reportedly said that Russian-controlled groups would organise a humanitarian corridor for them.
But the agreement was not honoured. The militants and the Russian military fired on the corridor of Ukrainian soldiers. According to Ukrainian figures, 366 soldiers died near Ilovaisk and 429 were injured.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 184th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 29th 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.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he held a secret meeting with representatives from the country’s defence and security sectors on Sunday, adding: “All the issues we considered are important, but secret, I cannot go into detail.”
The meeting was reportedly attended by armed forces chiefs, the heads of the intelligence agencies, representatives from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, and others.
Ukrainian officials said on Sunday that Russian forces had shelled Ukrainian towns across the Dnieper River from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with artillery.
Oleksandr Starukh, the Governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, said that Russian forces had hit civilian infrastructure in the city of Zaporizhzhia and in the town of Orikhiv, to the east.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is waiting for its officials to receive clearance so they can visit the plant. But Ukrainian Energy Minister Lana Zerkal has said she is not convinced that Russia is negotiating in good faith.
The United States’ State Department has said in a statement that Russia does not want to acknowledge the grave radiological risk at the nuclear power plant, adding that it was the reason it has blocked the final draft of a nuclear non-proliferation treaty deal.
Ukraine is set to experience its coldest winter in decades, according to the head of the state gas company Naftogaz, Yurii Vitrenko. Germany has said that it is replenishing its gas stocks faster than expected despite Russian supply cuts.
The European Union’s foreign ministers are expected to make it harder for Russian tourists to get visas as of next week. The move falls short of banning Russian tourists outright, but it is expected to make obtaining travel documents significantly more complicated and costly.
