Fourthestate

These images show a Russian BMPT 'Terminator' armoured fighting vehicle exploding in a ball of flames after being hit by Ukrainian artillery with the Ukrainian Marines saying "Hasta la vista, baby!" The footage shows the Russian war machine on a road in a snowy area before it is suddenly hit by Ukrainian artillery. After being hit a first time, it can be seen smoking slightly, before eventually being hit again and erupting in a blazing inferno. The images were obtained from the Marine Corps Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 9th February, along with a statement saying: "'Hasta la vista, baby!' "Soldiers of the 140th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Marines found the Russian BMPT 'Terminator', gave the coordinates to the artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and further adjusted the fire. "So, we see that this allegedly 'invincible' and 'unique' combat vehicle burns just as well as the rest of the Russian scrap metal. "Glory to the marines! Glory to Ukraine!" The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 352nd day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 10th February 2023, Russia had lost about 135,740 personnel, 3,258 tanks, 6,471 armoured combat vehicles, 2,251 artillery units, 463 multiple launch rocket systems, 233 air defence systems, 295 warplanes, 286 helicopters, 1,970 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,126 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 211 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 claimed that several European Union leaders are prepared to provide his country with combat aircraft. Zelensky said on Thursday: “Europe will be with us until our victory. I’ve heard it from a number of European leaders … about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft.” He added: “I have a number of bilaterals now, we are going to raise the issue of the fighter jets and other aircraft.” The Ukrainian president also urged European leaders to deliver weaponry faster and begin EU membership discussions with Ukraine this year. A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister said that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was looking into “whether we can provide fighter jets in the future”. But the UK government also said that it would not send combat aircraft to Ukraine if this created risks to British safety. Russia has reportedly launched a major new offensive in eastern Ukraine and is attempting a push near the town of Kreminna, according to the Ukrainian Governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai. Haidai said on Thursday that there had been “maximum escalation”, adding: “So far they haven’t had any success. Our defenders have been able to hold them back completely.” Russian drones and missiles have hit targets in southern and eastern Ukraine on Thursday night, with Serhiy Lysak, the Ukrainian military administrator for the Dnipropetrovsk region, saying that Shahed drones had been detected in the area. Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has intercepted Russian secret service plans to destroy Moldova. Speaking in Brussels to EU leaders, Zelensky said that his services had intercepted evidence that “shows who, when and how was going to break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova.” Zelensky said that he had immediately warned his Moldovan counterpart, President Maia Sandu. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said on Thursday that the EU must continue to provide support to Ukraine, saying: “We understand that the coming weeks and months will be of decisive importance.” He added: “Artillery, munitions, defence systems … you have told us exactly what you need and what you need now.” The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced new sanctions against Russia worth more than EUR 10 billion, which are geared towards targeting propagandists for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This is the moment firefighters are called by a man whose wife has tied a frying pan to his ankle while he slept in order to force him to stay home. Rescuers learned of the bizarre lovers’ quarrel while attending the incident in the city of Xichang, which is in Sichuan Province in south-western China, on Wednesday (15th April).

These images show Ukrainian drones destroying Russian ammunition in trenches and foxholes on the Zaporizhzhia frontlines. The images show Ukrainian drones targeting a number of Russian ammo caches on the frontlines, causing them to explode and burn after they drop bombs on them. The images were obtained from the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 1st December, along with a statement saying: "Hit the target. Defending Zaporizhzhia, the 110th Brigade demonstrates a master class in destroying ammo positions and field depots with the help of a small copter. "No wonder the brigade was handed a flag by the commander of the Territorial Defence Forces this fall." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 281st day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 2nd December, Russia had lost about 90,090 personnel, 2,916 tanks, 5,883 armoured combat vehicles, 1,905 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 210 air defence systems, 280 warplanes, 262 helicopters, 1,564 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,464 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has said that Ukraine has lost between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers so far against Russia. US President Joe Biden has said he would be willing to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin – in consultation with NATO allies – if the latter would be willing to end the war. President Biden, speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, said: “I’m prepared to speak with Mr Putin if in fact there is an interest in him deciding he’s looking for a way to end the war. He hasn’t done that yet.” President Macron said that he would continue to talk to President Putin “try to prevent escalation and to get some very concrete results”. Both the US and French presidents pledged to hold Russia accountable for its “widely documented atrocities and war crimes” in Ukraine. President Biden pledged to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, which he said had been “incredibly brutal”. The American and French leaders said in a joint statement: “Intentionally targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes war crimes whose perpetrators must be held accountable.” Russia has hit the recently recaptured southern Ukrainian city of Kherson with missiles, causing disruptions to the city’s power supply just as electricity had begun to be restored some three weeks after Russian troops retreated from the city. Vitaliy Klitschko, the Mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, has told residents to stock up on food, water and warm clothes in case Russia causes a total blackout in the city. Members of the European Union have agreed to place a USD 60 price cap per barrel on Russian seaborne oil. An embargo on Russian crude is set to be enforced as of Monday, with the price cap understood to apply to oil exported by Russia to various ports around the world. Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, has said it was too early to reach a verdict on discussions between Germany and Poland regarding supplying Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems. Speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said: “We all agree on the urgent need to help Ukraine, including with air defence systems.”

These images show Russian soldiers running for their lives as a Ukrainian drone hunts them down and drops bombs on them near Bakhmut. The footage, shot from the drone, shows the drone dropping a first bomb on a group of Russian soldiers, with them then fleeing and rushing into a dugout to hide. They can be seen scrambling in through a small entrance before the drone then drops a second bomb right into it. It explodes, causing smoke to rise out of the hole as the footage ends. The images were obtained from the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Konstantin Ostrozky Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday, 30th November, along with a statement saying: "The occupiers cannot hide! "Near Bakhmut, the operator of a 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade drone found an enemy stronghold and started dropping grenades. "Frightened Russians rushed into the dugout, hoping that they would not be caught there. But when they all gathered in a heap, another grenade flew right into the target!" The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 281st day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 1st December, Russia had lost about 89,440 personnel, 2,915 tanks, 5,877 armoured combat vehicles, 1,904 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 210 air defence systems, 280 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,562 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,441 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. A Ukrainian embassy worker in Madrid has been lightly injured in an explosion after opening a letter bomb addressed to the Ukrainian ambassador to Spain on Wednesday. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged all Ukrainian embassies abroad to strengthen their security “urgently”. Kuleba has also said that Ukraine needs US-made Patriot missile defence systems to protect civilian infrastructure, which is under heavy attack from Russia. He added that he would be looking into the issue with the German government. The comments come after former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned NATO against providing Ukraine with the systems. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has proposed the formation of a special war crimes tribunal to investigate and prosecute Russia for its actions in Ukraine. The tribunal would be set up by the European Union and backed by the United Nations. Von der Leyen said: “We are ready to start working with the international community to get the broadest international support possible for this specialised court.” The Ukrainian military has said that Russian forces have tried to advance in eastern Ukraine and targeted the city of Kherson in the south of the country with tank, artillery and mortar fire. Ukraine’s General Staff said that it had killed over 500 Russian soldiers in the last day alone. The Ukrainian State Emergency Service has said that there have been 106 residential fires in the last day as civilians try to heat their homes, leading to nine people losing their lives. Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Minister of Defence, has said that his country will focus on new infrastructure for nuclear weapons in 2023. This includes facilities to accommodate new missile systems. Shoigu said: “When preparing the list of major construction facilities for 2023, special attention will be paid to construction in the interests of the strategic nuclear forces.” The City Council of the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa has decided to move a monument dedicated to Empress Catherine the Great of Russia to a new location as it has been repeatedly vandalised since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

This footage shows Ukrainian artillery air reconnaissance striking Russian drone operators with a drone as they "take revenge for every rocket or shahed, dropped on civilian infrastructure". The footage shows Russian drone operators walking in and out of a bomb shelter when they are caught off guard by a drone that drops a bomb over their heads somewhere near the Kharkiv region. The images were obtained by Newsflash on 20th December by the 'Achilles' - air reconnaissance company of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, along with a statement that said: "The command of the artillery air reconnaissance company 'ACHILLES' revealed the enemy's positions and struck the personnel of the Russian drone operators. "We take revenge for our skin, brothers and sisters, for every rocket or shahed, dropped on civilian infrastructure. "No crime goes without a trace." The Shahed, called Geran-2 in Russian service, is an Iranian unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) in the form of an autonomous pusher-prop drone. The images were also relayed by the Centre of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of Ukraine, along with a short statement: "The 'ACHILLES' artillery air reconnaissance company of the 128th battalion of the 112th brigade of the territorial defence of Kyiv inflicted fire damage on enemy air reconnaissance positions in the Kharkiv-Svativ direction." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 300th day of the invasion. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 20th December, Russia had lost about 99,230 personnel, 2,995 tanks, 5,974 armoured combat vehicles, 1,960 artillery units, 410 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 266 helicopters, 1,680 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,599 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 177 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 met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on 19th December, increasing Ukrainian fears that Lukashenko will be coerced into opening a new invasion front. However, the two reportedly barely mentioned Ukraine. The two leaders spoke about the benefits of cooperation while claiming that Belarus still faces a Western threat. The US has accused United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of "apparently yielding to Russian threats" by not inspecting drones allegedly supplied by Iran to Russia for use in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Western leaders to provide more weapons and military support during a meeting in Latvia after drones attacked Kyiv and damaged critical infrastructure on 19th December. Ukraine's energy system is reportedly struggling, as Russian attacks and low temperatures have put significant strains on the power grid. European officials have agreed to intervene in the energy crisis and to cap gas prices at EUR 180 (GBP 157) in a so-called gas market correction mechanism that is set to apply from 15th February. And the Kremlin has called the European gas price cap a violation of market pricing, stating that Russia needs time to come up with a response. The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is reportedly clashing with other pro-Russian authorities over DPR employees allegedly detaining trucks travelling from Crimea and illegally confiscating drivers' vehicles and personal documents for no apparent reason. The Russian-backed Crimean chairman of the Association of Freight Carriers and Freight Forwarders, Anatoly Tsurkin, has posted a public appeal to DPR head Denis Pushilin calling for Pushilin to regulate the "illegal, groundless actions that are carried out on the territory of the DPR" by employees.

These images show Ukrainian drones destroying Russian ammunition in trenches and foxholes on the Zaporizhzhia frontlines. The images show Ukrainian drones targeting a number of Russian ammo caches on the frontlines, causing them to explode and burn after they drop bombs on them. The images were obtained from the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 1st December, along with a statement saying: "Hit the target. Defending Zaporizhzhia, the 110th Brigade demonstrates a master class in destroying ammo positions and field depots with the help of a small copter. "No wonder the brigade was handed a flag by the commander of the Territorial Defence Forces this fall." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 281st day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 2nd December, Russia had lost about 90,090 personnel, 2,916 tanks, 5,883 armoured combat vehicles, 1,905 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 210 air defence systems, 280 warplanes, 262 helicopters, 1,564 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,464 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has said that Ukraine has lost between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers so far against Russia. US President Joe Biden has said he would be willing to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin – in consultation with NATO allies – if the latter would be willing to end the war. President Biden, speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, said: “I’m prepared to speak with Mr Putin if in fact there is an interest in him deciding he’s looking for a way to end the war. He hasn’t done that yet.” President Macron said that he would continue to talk to President Putin “try to prevent escalation and to get some very concrete results”. Both the US and French presidents pledged to hold Russia accountable for its “widely documented atrocities and war crimes” in Ukraine. President Biden pledged to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, which he said had been “incredibly brutal”. The American and French leaders said in a joint statement: “Intentionally targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes war crimes whose perpetrators must be held accountable.” Russia has hit the recently recaptured southern Ukrainian city of Kherson with missiles, causing disruptions to the city’s power supply just as electricity had begun to be restored some three weeks after Russian troops retreated from the city. Vitaliy Klitschko, the Mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, has told residents to stock up on food, water and warm clothes in case Russia causes a total blackout in the city. Members of the European Union have agreed to place a USD 60 price cap per barrel on Russian seaborne oil. An embargo on Russian crude is set to be enforced as of Monday, with the price cap understood to apply to oil exported by Russia to various ports around the world. Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, has said it was too early to reach a verdict on discussions between Germany and Poland regarding supplying Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems. Speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said: “We all agree on the urgent need to help Ukraine, including with air defence systems.”

These images show Ukrainian drones destroying Russian ammunition in trenches and foxholes on the Zaporizhzhia frontlines. The images show Ukrainian drones targeting a number of Russian ammo caches on the frontlines, causing them to explode and burn after they drop bombs on them. The images were obtained from the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 1st December, along with a statement saying: "Hit the target. Defending Zaporizhzhia, the 110th Brigade demonstrates a master class in destroying ammo positions and field depots with the help of a small copter. "No wonder the brigade was handed a flag by the commander of the Territorial Defence Forces this fall." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 281st day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 2nd December, Russia had lost about 90,090 personnel, 2,916 tanks, 5,883 armoured combat vehicles, 1,905 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 210 air defence systems, 280 warplanes, 262 helicopters, 1,564 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,464 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has said that Ukraine has lost between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers so far against Russia. US President Joe Biden has said he would be willing to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin – in consultation with NATO allies – if the latter would be willing to end the war. President Biden, speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, said: “I’m prepared to speak with Mr Putin if in fact there is an interest in him deciding he’s looking for a way to end the war. He hasn’t done that yet.” President Macron said that he would continue to talk to President Putin “try to prevent escalation and to get some very concrete results”. Both the US and French presidents pledged to hold Russia accountable for its “widely documented atrocities and war crimes” in Ukraine. President Biden pledged to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, which he said had been “incredibly brutal”. The American and French leaders said in a joint statement: “Intentionally targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes war crimes whose perpetrators must be held accountable.” Russia has hit the recently recaptured southern Ukrainian city of Kherson with missiles, causing disruptions to the city’s power supply just as electricity had begun to be restored some three weeks after Russian troops retreated from the city. Vitaliy Klitschko, the Mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, has told residents to stock up on food, water and warm clothes in case Russia causes a total blackout in the city. Members of the European Union have agreed to place a USD 60 price cap per barrel on Russian seaborne oil. An embargo on Russian crude is set to be enforced as of Monday, with the price cap understood to apply to oil exported by Russia to various ports around the world. Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, has said it was too early to reach a verdict on discussions between Germany and Poland regarding supplying Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems. Speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said: “We all agree on the urgent need to help Ukraine, including with air defence systems.”

These images show Israeli defence forces hitting Hamas assets in a raid on Gazza after six rockets were reportedly fired at southern Israel. The first piece of footage, obtained from the Israeli police and filmed from the point of view of an Israeli soldier, shows part of an earlier raid in Gaza to arrest a suspect. Gunfire can be heard in the background as Israeli soldiers storm a building. A rocket can then be seen being fired from a window and hitting a building. The second piece of footage, obtained from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), shows them manoeuvring in an armoured vehicle and coming under attack from people on the street, who can be seen throwing objects at them. The third piece of footage shows the IDF attacking Gaza this morning, on Thursday, 23rd February, with the IDF saying (in Hebrew): "Documentation of this morning's IDF attacks in the Gaza Strip." Newsflash obtained a statement from the Israeli police on Wednesday, 22nd February, regarding the first piece of footage, saying (in Hebrew): "Documentation from the helmet cameras - Navy fighters from wanted sites in the alleys of the Kasbah of Nablus." A second statement, from the Israel Defence Forces, also obtained on Wednesday, regarding the second piece of footage, said (in English): "SSGT Ido Baruch was murdered by Lion’s Den terrorists on October 11th, 2022. "During a counterterrorism activity last week, 2 of the assailants were apprehended in Nablus. This week, 3 wanted suspects were identified by the ISA in a hideout apartment in Nablus. "After surrounding the building, security forces asked the suspects to turn themselves in. They refused and opened fired at the forces, so the security forces operated to thwart the terrorist squad. "During attempts to apprehend the terrorists, one of the wanted suspects who fled the building was neutralized by the forces. 2 additional wanted suspects opened fire, initiating an exchange of fire with Israeli forces, during which the two suspects were neutralized. "Furthermore, suspects hurled rocks, explosive devices & Molotov cocktails at the forces. In the building where the wanted suspects were located, the forces found and confiscated ammunition and two weapons. "The IDF will continue to operate to counter any terrorist threats." (sic)

This footage shows Ukrainian troops apparently shelling a Russian base before storming it while evading artillery fire. The footage begins with images that appear to have been filmed by a drone showing Russian soldiers coming and going from the base, with a vehicle sporting a large white 'Z' symbol parked under a tree in front of one of the buildings. The 'Z' is one of the symbols, as well as the letters 'V' and 'O' that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine. The images then show the group of buildings being targeted by what appears to be artillery fire. Ukrainian troops can then be seen evading artillery fire for apparently storming the location, with the footage then apparently showing the buildings severely damaged and the burnt-out remains of the vehicle that was in front of it. The images were obtained from the State Border Service of Ukraine on Tuesday, 29th November, along with a statement saying: "The enemy cannot hide from our drones and artillery. "Destroyed base and destroyed equipment with the occupants. This is the result of the work of artillery and aerial reconnaissance of the border guards!" It is currently unclear where exactly on the frontlines the images were shot but the Russian base appears to have been located near railway lines. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 279th day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 29th November, Russia had lost about 88,380 personnel, 2,911 tanks, 5,866 armoured combat vehicles, 1,901 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 280 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,555 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,423 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Intense fighting is taking place around the key town of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, with hundreds of dead and injured reported daily on both sides. Ukraine’s military has said that Russia has continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the liberated city of Kherson. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has said that the military inventories of the United States and its allies are shrinking as the West reportedly struggles to meet increased demand for further arms. The United States is studying a proposal from Boeing to supply Ukraine with small, cheap precision bombs that can be fitted to readily available rockets. It is thought that this would allow Kyiv to strike far behind Russia’s lines. Ukraine’s Armed Forces have said that they have damaged a logistically significant railway bridge north of the southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol, which is currently occupied by Russian forces. Russia has reacted angrily to comments from the Pope that some minority groups of soldiers have behaved worse than others in the invasion of Ukraine. Pope Francis said that the "cruellest" troops were generally Chechens and Buryats. Russia called the remarks a "perversion", and said national groups were "one family". A protester wearing a T-shirt saying “Save Ukraine” on the front invaded the pitch during the World Cup football match between Portugal and Uruguay. The protester was also carrying a rainbow flag and their T-shirt said 'Respect for Iranian woman' on the back.

These images show how a Ukrainian T-64 destroyed a Russian T-73 in a tank duel. The footage shows a Ukrainian tank advancing along a road before it suddenly opens fire and appears to hit a Russian tank further down the same road. It appears to land a direct hit with the first shot, quickly following up with a second shot to finish the job. It continues to open fire on the Russian position, with explosions and flames seen in the footage as smoke rises into the air. The images were obtained from the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Kosh chieftain Ivan Sirk of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Sunday, 11th December, along with a statement saying: "Tank crew T-64BV, the famous 92 Separate Mechanized Brigade, entered a tank duel against a Russian T-72B3. "Ukrainian tankers proved who is the boss in Ukraine! From the first shot, the enemy tank turned into scrap metal. "Glory to Ukraine and to the tank troops!!! Victory is ours!!!" The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along with a statement confirming this and saying: "A T-64 destroyed a Russian T-73 with a direct shot. "The video explains why the tank is such a formidable weapon. The projectile flies in an almost straight trajectory. "There is a very short period of time between the release of the projectile and the impact, and if during the firing of artillery or mortars you can hear the whistle of the projectile and hide, then in a tank battle there is no such possibility." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 289th day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 12th December, Russia had lost about 94,760 personnel, 2,966 tanks, 5,928 armoured combat vehicles, 1,929 artillery units, 397 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,617 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,544 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 169 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Serhiy Haidai, the Governor-in-exile of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, has said that Ukrainian forces have hit the headquarters of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, a hotel in the city of Kadiivka. Ukraine attacked a barracks in the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol, in the Zaporizhzhia region of south-eastern Ukraine, over the weekend. Ukrainian sources have said that there have been numerous Russian casualties as a result, with witnesses saying that they heard 10 explosions during the attack, which was reportedly carried out using HIMARS rockets. The strikes on the city were reportedly part of a wider wave of attacks on several Russian bases. Emergency crews are working around the clock to ease electricity shortages all over Ukraine after further Russian attacks. Russian forces reportedly used Iranian-made drones on Saturday to hit two electricity plants in Odesa, leaving 1.5 million people without power. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Odesa, a key port city, was undergoing frequent blackouts and that the capital Kyiv was still experiencing “very difficult” conditions. Local authorities in Kherson said that two people have been killed and another five wounded after Russian troops shelled the area. Governor Yaroslav Yanushevich said: “The enemy again attacked the residential quarters of Kherson.” He said that the Russian forces had hit a maternity ward, a cafe and apartment buildings on Saturday. President Zelensky has thanked US President Joe Biden for the “unprecedented defence and financial assistance” of the United States, saying: “It helps not only to succeed on the battlefield, but also to maintain the stability of our nation’s economy.” He added that Russian missile strikes had destroyed approximately 50 per cent of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A neo-Nazi paramilitary group with ties to the Kremlin has reportedly asked its members to provide intelligence reports on border and military activity in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which used to be part of the Soviet Union and are now part of NATO. ‘Task Force Rusich’, who are currently fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Moscow and who also have ties to the Wagner Group asked that members send information relating to border posts and military movements in the three Baltic states.

This footage - seen nearly 60 million times in 24 hours - shows an adorable Corgi pup pushing its face through fresh snow after seeing the fluffy white powder for the first time in its life. The 10-month-old male Corgi named ‘Gucci’ failed to control himself while out on a walk following snowfall in the city of Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, on 29th December. In the video, which has since been liked more than 2.2 million times on Tik Tok, Gucci forgets about relieving himself and ploughs his face along the snow-covered pavement.

Keary Molinaro has a passion for snakes that he likes to share with others after keeping and breeding them at his Molinaro Snake lab. Speaking to Newsflash, he said: "I keep and breed multiple species of snakes and sell them as pets. Due to their docile nature and easy care the majority of the species I breed make fun and fascinating pets. In addition to breeding I share my knowledge and breeding experiences through daily fun and educational videos on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. "I am originally from Pennsylvania where my love for snakes started. My older brother (Todd Molinaro) has been into heavy metal and hard rock his entire life. So I grew up influenced by bands he listened to like Alice Cooper, Guns N Roses and others." Keary, who now lives in El Paso, Texas, and added: "I always found it so cool to see Alice or Slash with their pet snakes. "Additionally, I could remember watching WWE superstar Jake “the Snake” Roberts scare his opponents with large pythons or cobras. As a kid I would also find it exciting to spot a snake in the wild while I was out playing in the yard or in the woods." He went on: "I’m not sure what it was about snakes, but I knew I would like to have one as a pet. I wanted one but my parents said absolutely not! They did allow me to have a turtle, lizards, and some other small pets but they didn’t peak my interest like snakes did. As I got into my teen years, I started watching Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, and Jack Hanna who further developed my interest in snakes. "After graduating Highschool and still living at home I decided to go against my parents’ rules. My room was in the attic, so my parents only went up there occasionally to clean, fix something, ect…. I figured I could get away with keeping a pet snake for a while before being caught and then it would be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. "So I went to a local reptile shop and I brought my first snake home. It was a ball python and I named him Loki. Snakes can be addicting, so it wasn’t long (maybe 2 weeks) before I purchased Milo a Columbian Red Tail Boa and suck him in as well. "After maybe a week my mother saw what I was keeping. She was mad and vowed to never enter my room again and as far as I could remember she never did until I gave the snakes up." He said that after completing college, he joined the United States Marine Corps and added: "I knew I would be moving a lot, so I ended up giving Loki and Milo to a local reptile rescue. "After serving 9 years in the Marine Corps, I got out and settled in El Paso Texas. Now that I was in one location, I decided it was time to get a snake again. Like before, one turned into 2 which turned into a room full of snakes. Which led to the beginning of the Molinaro Snake Lab." He went on: "I have a one stall garage attached to my house which I converted into the Molinaro Snake Lab. This is where I film the majority of my videos and keep all of my snakes." Keary has a lot more snakes, which originally scared his mother, but he was not sure of the exact number. He said: "As a breeder I have snakes being born and snakes being sold throughout the year. I typically keep anywhere between 60 and 100. Where I am currently at in my business/life, when I get over 100 snakes it becomes a lot of work! I do all the cleaning, feeding, video making, etc… myself so when I have more than 100 snakes, I have a hard time dedicating the proper amount of time and attention to each snake. "They only have me to depend on keeping them happy and healthy so I ensure that I keep my collection to a manageable level. "The clutch that I had to cut open the egg all turned out really healthy. They all started eating about 2 weeks after hatching (that’s pretty normal) and now they are with their new families all over the United States! I held back one snake from the clutch to keep for myself and use as a breeder in the future. So I will grow her up and in about 2 to 3 years she will be ready to breed for me. "My goal for the Molinaro Snake lab is to get people interested and excited about snakes. My hope is to turn some non-snake people into snake people or at least gain an appreciation for them! I feel if I can get them excited maybe they will pay attention to them not only in captivity but also in the wild. "In order to thrive all animals need unspoiled natural places with access to food, water and shelter. Everyday humans develop, pollute, and alter land that destroys natural habitats causing many species to go extinct. The more people we can get excited about animals, the better chance we have to preserve and protect them! "Every day I come up with new ideas for videos, breeding projects, and ways to grow the Molinaro Snake Lab and spread snake love! My next big venture is releasing the first Molinaro Snake Lab children’s book. We are planning for the spring 2023 book release!"

These images show Ukrainian artillery destroying Russian military vehicles and equipment. The footage, which appears to have been shot from a drone, shows a number of military vehicles, including what appear to be Russian multiple launch rocket systems, being destroyed in fiery explosions. The images were obtained from the ground forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Friday, 25th November, along with a statement saying that the operation had been carried out by the 44th Separate Artillery Brigade named after Hetman Danylo Apostol. The images were also relayed by Ukraine's Operational Command 'West'. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 278th day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 28th November, Russia had lost about 87,900 personnel, 2,908 tanks, 5,861 armoured combat vehicles, 1,899 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,555 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,416 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Petro Kotin, the head of Energoatom, the Ukrainian state nuclear power plant operator, has said that there are signs that the Russian forces could be preparing to abandon the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Kotin said: “In recent weeks we are effectively receiving information that signs have appeared that they are possibly preparing to leave.” He added: “One gets the impression they’re packing their bags and stealing everything they can.” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is planning to launch fresh missile attacks. Zelensky said on Sunday evening: “We understand that terrorists are preparing new strikes. We know that for sure. And as long as they have missiles, they won’t stop, unfortunately.” Hundreds of Ukrainians have reportedly left the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine after Russian shelling intensified on Sunday. Evacuations from the city began last week amid fears that there was a lack of electricity, water and heating. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly set to promise to maintain or increase military aid to Ukraine in 2023, according to an extract from a speech he is set to give today. The Prime Minister will reportedly say: “We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will maintain or increase our military aid next year. And we will provide new support for air defence.” The authorities in Ukraine are slowly restoring power across the country, but millions are still said to be doing without heat or electricity after Russia’s heaviest missile strikes so far in the war. Zelensky said: “We have been restoring electricity generation and supply day after day.” He added: “As of today, in most regions of the country, only stabilisation schedules of shutdowns are in effect.” The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that Russia is currently hitting Ukraine with ageing cruise missiles that have been stripped of their nuclear warheads because Russia’s stocks are so depleted. The UK MoD added that the move by the Russian side was “unlikely to achieve reliable effects”.

These images show Ukrainian troops shelling Russian infantry fighting vehicles and troops hiding in the trees in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The footage also shows a Russian KAMAZ truck being destroyed. The video, which appears to have been shot from a drone and was reportedly filmed in Donetsk, begins by showing a group of Russian infantry fighting vehicles being hit on a rural road in a forested area near a hamlet. Russian soldiers, reportedly 10 of them, can then be seen running into a house before it is also destroyed by Ukrainian ordnance. The Russian KAMAZ truck can then be seen reversing down a road before turning around and driving off. The footage then appears to show it hiding under the cover of tree foliage further down the road before it too is targeted and destroyed. A Russian armoured 4WD vehicle and another truck and then targeted at a crossroads and apparently hit. The 4WD can be seen on fire and burning profusely towards the end of the footage. The images were obtained from the K2 Battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 6th December, along with a statement saying: "Happy Armed Forces Day with love! Orcs gathered to die." "The K2 Battalion of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade congratulates everyone on the occasion of the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine! "Our fighters decided to play a 'sea battle' with the orcs, but knowing in advance the position of the opponents." The images were also relayed by the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Ukrainian military regularly refers to the Russian soldiers as "orcs". The Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is marked on 6th December, the day of the adoption in 1991 of the law "On the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the Ukrainian military yesterday on his official Telegram channel, saying: "Our Armed Forces protect their native land, and this gives the strongest possible motivation. "They fight for freedom, and this always increases any strength. They defend the truth, which means they defend the future of Ukraine. "We are proud of you, we admire you, thank you. "To each and every one! With deep respect - the President of Ukraine. Glory to the Ukrainian Armed Forces! Glory to Ukraine!" Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 287th day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 7th December, Russia had lost about 92,740 personnel, 2,935 tanks, 5,909 armoured combat vehicles, 1,923 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,601 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,526 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. The governor of the Russian region of Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoyt has said that a drone attack has set fire to an oil storage tank at an airfield some 280 kilometres (175 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The attack comes a day after two military airfields were also reportedly attacked deep inside Russia’s territory. One of the attacks reportedly hit the Engels airfield in the Saratov region, which is where Russia houses some of its strategic nuclear bombers. Kyiv has not directly claimed responsibility for the attacks, with the United States saying on Tuesday that it had not “enabled” Ukraine to carry out strikes inside Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We have neither encouraged nor enabled the Ukrainians to strike inside of Russia.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly convened his Security Council following the alleged drone strikes. The Kremlin has said that Putin has met with senior officials to discuss “domestic security”, adding that Moscow was taking “necessary” steps to protect itself from further attacks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that he agrees with Blinken that there needs to be peace in Ukraine, but he added that Russia does not see peace talks as a possible option “at the moment”. Peskov added that for peace talks to be able to take place, Russia would first need to achieve the goals of its “special military operation”. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has requested that regional authorities suspend non-essential surgeries at the country’s hospitals due to the ongoing power blackouts caused by waves of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. EU officials have said that they will make sure that Ukraine gets EUR 18 billion in financial aid. The move comes after Hungary said it would block the funds from being released, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also accused of “holding hostage” funds destined for Ukraine’s hospitals. Orban’s government has been accused of “cynical obstructionism” after Hungary said on Tuesday that it would block the EUR 18 billion in aid.

These images show Israeli defence forces hitting Hamas assets in a raid on Gazza after six rockets were reportedly fired at southern Israel. The first piece of footage, obtained from the Israeli police and filmed from the point of view of an Israeli soldier, shows part of an earlier raid in Gaza to arrest a suspect. Gunfire can be heard in the background as Israeli soldiers storm a building. A rocket can then be seen being fired from a window and hitting a building. The second piece of footage, obtained from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), shows them manoeuvring in an armoured vehicle and coming under attack from people on the street, who can be seen throwing objects at them. The third piece of footage shows the IDF attacking Gaza this morning, on Thursday, 23rd February, with the IDF saying (in Hebrew): "Documentation of this morning's IDF attacks in the Gaza Strip." Newsflash obtained a statement from the Israeli police on Wednesday, 22nd February, regarding the first piece of footage, saying (in Hebrew): "Documentation from the helmet cameras - Navy fighters from wanted sites in the alleys of the Kasbah of Nablus." A second statement, from the Israel Defence Forces, also obtained on Wednesday, regarding the second piece of footage, said (in English): "SSGT Ido Baruch was murdered by Lion’s Den terrorists on October 11th, 2022. "During a counterterrorism activity last week, 2 of the assailants were apprehended in Nablus. This week, 3 wanted suspects were identified by the ISA in a hideout apartment in Nablus. "After surrounding the building, security forces asked the suspects to turn themselves in. They refused and opened fired at the forces, so the security forces operated to thwart the terrorist squad. "During attempts to apprehend the terrorists, one of the wanted suspects who fled the building was neutralized by the forces. 2 additional wanted suspects opened fire, initiating an exchange of fire with Israeli forces, during which the two suspects were neutralized. "Furthermore, suspects hurled rocks, explosive devices & Molotov cocktails at the forces. In the building where the wanted suspects were located, the forces found and confiscated ammunition and two weapons. "The IDF will continue to operate to counter any terrorist threats." (sic)

This is the moment a Russian tank gets blown up after a Ukrainian drone discovers it being hidden in a tree line. The footage begins with defenders setting up a drone for an aerial survey. And it is not long before the drone happens upon a Russian tank positioned underneath treetops after occupiers seemingly tried to keep it hidden. The drone quickly fixates on the target and blasts the tank with fire just moments later. The images were obtained by Newsflash from the 103rd Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 27th December, along with a statement: "The work of UAV operators of one of the battalions of the 103rd separate brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. "During an aerial survey, our 'aviators' discovered an enemy tank that was firing at the positions of the Armed Forces from a forested area. "They quickly transferred the coordinates to the artillery units and then adjusted the firing from the air. "A good shot - and the occupiers have one less tank! "No enemy on our land will remain unnoticed! "Our 'eyes' will see everyone and effectively destroy the occupier's equipment in interaction with artillery!" The Territorial Defence Forces of Ukraine also relayed the footage and the statement. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 308th day of the invasion. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 28th December, Russia had lost about 103,770 personnel, 3,017 tanks, 6,037 armoured combat vehicles, 1,999 artillery units, 418 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 267 helicopters, 1,707 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,660 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 179 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported the number of civilian casualties in Russia’s war on Ukraine has reached as many as 6,884 people, including 429 children, who are believed to have died in Ukraine between 24th February to 26th December 2022. But the actual figure could be "considerably higher", the agency said, "as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration." Air raid warnings continue to be in effect in Ukraine’s capital, according to the Kyiv city state administration. The bodies of 42 Ukrainian servicemen who died while fighting have been returned to Ukraine, the Ukrainian government reported. The European Union has announced that it will support "more than 700,000 Ukrainians in the winter" as the war rages on. Britain’s Defence Ministry said the front line in eastern Ukraine remains little changed despite fierce fighting on both sides, but without making any major advances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the situation along the eastern front line in Donbas "difficult and painful". An Australian man has reportedly died fighting in Ukraine, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Sage O’Donnell, from the south-eastern state of Victoria, was allegedly killed just before Christmas. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which Moscow will ban oil sales to countries to nations participating in an imposed cap from February 2023. The gas cap is to be set at EUR 180 (GBP 157) as of 15th February after European officials agreed to intervene in the energy crisis.

A Ukrainian combat unit recently shared an "action movie" it filmed during one successful operation in Bakhmut where many Russian soldiers were eliminated, as these images show. Ukrainian soldiers took away "trophies" after seizing the belongings of dead Russian soldiers in a mission back in December that they filmed and creatively titled "Kill Wagner". The footage shows the night-time operation taking place near the front-line city as unsuspecting Russian positions are blown up in a sudden powerful explosion. Ukrainian fighters from the K-2 combat group carefully approached the site of the impact afterwards and seized the Russian soldier's personal items. K-2 battalion commander Kyrylo Veres said: "They attacked us for two days in a row, but they didn't succeed. We understood that they would change their tactics and leave at night. That's why we raised the night side, waited for them to come, and pointed weapons there." (sic) According to him, seven mercenaries from the Russian private military company 'Wagner' arrived, and the defenders opened fire on their position and eliminated them. In the morning, the Ukrainian soldiers were able to see the results of their work - they found scattered corpses of Russian soldiers and their belongings. The footage shows fighters seizing trophy weapons and documents, with one cutting off the straps from a dead soldier's rifle, while others clear out his bags. After retrieving all the weapons, ammunition and cash, the Ukrainian soldiers make away with the trophies. The images were obtained by Newsflash from the K2 combat group of the 54th Separate Mechanised Brigade on 31st December, along with a statement that said: "'Kill Wagner' - an action movie from the real life of the fighters of the K-2 battalion. "The fighters of the K-2 battalion of the 54th OMBr destroy the enemy both day and night, and on New Year's holidays. "Under the New Year's tree for all Ukrainians - an action film about the execution of another combat mission by the soldiers of the unit. "We will destroy the enemy while he is on Our Earth! Glory to Ukraine! Happy New Year! "Death to enemies!" The footage and part of the statement were also relayed by the Office for Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 315th day of the invasion. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 4th January, Russia had lost about 108,910 personnel, 3,038 tanks, 6,106 armoured combat vehicles, 2,039 artillery units, 424 multiple launch rocket systems, 214 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 270 helicopters, 1,842 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,745 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 181 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. The Russian Ministry of Defence said four Ukrainian missiles hit temporary Russian barracks in a vocational college in Makiivka, in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. The ministry acknowledged the attack on Makiivka by Ukraine's forces killed 89 servicemen and blamed the high death toll on its soldiers' illegal use of mobile phones. "This factor allowed the enemy to track and determine the coordinates of the soldiers’ location for a missile strike," said the Ministry in a statement on Wednesday. Ukrainian officials claimed the death toll is much higher, with around 400 mobilised Russian soldiers allegedly being killed and about 300 more being wounded. A Russian missile attack destroyed an ice arena in Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, according to reports from Ukraine’s ice hockey federation. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Russia is set to launch a major offensive to "try to turn the tide of the war and at least delay their defeat." Ukraine and the EU will hold a summit on 3rd February to discuss financial and military support, President Zelenskiy’s office said. The US president, Joe Biden, will meet with Japan’s prime minister, Fumio Kishida, at the White House on 13th January to discuss "a range of regional and global issues, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes, Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, and maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Spanish police have saved 150 tropical birds in a house that was evacuated due to the ongoing volcanic eruption in La Palma in the Canary Islands. The incident took place near the beach of Puerto Naos in the commune of Los Llanos de Aridane, on the western side of La Palma in the Spanish Canary Islands. The ongoing volcanic eruption has caused over 1,000 homes to be destroyed, with evacuations becoming more regular as the eruption intensifies. Spanish police have announced that they found 150 tropical birds in one home that was evacuated because it was too close to the lava flow emanating from the volcano that started erupting on 19th September. They said that they have successfully relocated the birds for the time being at the Maroparque Rescue Centre. Animal rights organisations on the island are reported as saying that they are being overwhelmed as evacuated residents often have to leave their pets behind. Many animal activists have reported that they are taking in numerous animals in a desperate bid to keep them safe. Local media said hundreds of firefighters and police officers are combing areas surrounding the volcano in a desperate bid to rescue animals left to fend for themselves. They are trying to capture stray animals so that they do not venture too close to the flowing magma. It is currently unclear if any of the birds are endangered or protected, or indeed if they are illegal to keep. It is also unclear if the owner, who has not been named, faces any charges. @guardiacivil/Nf/Joe Golder

These graphic images show Russian soldiers dying in droves in trenches on the frontlines as they are hit by a barrage of Ukrainian ordnance. The footage begins by showing a large group of Russian soldiers walking in single file through a trench that has been dug in zigzags. The images then cut to a large number of explosions taking place in the area, with the trenches apparently being targeted by Ukrainian forces. The intense war footage also shows multiple Russian soldiers opening fire with their rifles from their trenches, with others being hit by Ukrainian drones and running for their lives. The images then show various war machines opening fire on the battlefield, as well as Russian soldiers being shot and blown up by Ukrainian firepower. The scenes conjure up a dire picture for Russian troops on the frontlines, with numerous Russian soldiers seen desperately trying to survive. Towards the end of the footage, a group of Russian soldiers can be seen crawling in a trench and ducking for cover as explosions occur around them. A number of Russian soldiers can then be seen crawling, apparently injured, with a large number of their comrades apparently dead, their corpses strewn across the battlefield. The images were obtained from the 'Adam' Combined Tactical Group of Ukrainian Armed Forces on Monday, 23rd January, along with a statement saying: "Just a huge mass of targets for our tanks, artillery and attack drones, which ingloriously and painfully die in packs on foreign land." The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 335th day of the war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th January 2023, Russia had lost about 122,170 personnel, 3,152 tanks, 6,284 armoured combat vehicles, 2,148 artillery units, 448 multiple launch rocket systems, 220 air defence systems, 289 warplanes, 281 helicopters, 1,897 drones, 749 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 4,944 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 194 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. A spokesperson for German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has said that they could deliver 139 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine if requested. Germany is under intense pressure from Ukraine and some NATO allies including Poland to allow for German-made Leopard 2 tanks to be supplied to Kyiv to help it defend itself against Russian aggression. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has said that Germany is not blocking Leopard 2 tank exports. Poland has again said that it is ready to send tanks to Ukraine without consent from Germany. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that his government would request permission from Germany to send Poland’s own Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but said that consent from Berlin was of “secondary importance”. But a spokesperson for the German government has said that Berlin has not so far received such a request from Poland or any other country. Moscow has warned that Ukrainian people will “pay the price” if Western powers decide to send tanks to Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that Russian forces in Ukraine are continuing to “endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties”. Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has claimed that the Russian government was willing to negotiate with Kyiv in the early months of the war but he said that the United States and other western powers had advised Ukraine against it. Germany has begun to move its Patriot air defence systems into Poland, near the Ukrainian border, where they are set to be deployed to prevent stray missiles from hitting Polish territory. Andrey Medvedev, a former commander of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway, has reportedly been detained by the Norwegian police. His lawyer, named as Brynjulf Risnes, reportedly said that his client had been apprehended on Sunday evening after a “strong disagreement” over his living conditions at a safe house. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has stated that he will not support Sweden’s bid to join NATO after a protest in Stockholm at the weekend included a copy of the Quran being burned. Sweden applied to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine but it needs NATO member Turkey to approve. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, said: “Sweden will respect the agreement that exists between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our NATO membership.”

These images show the warship ‘Admiral Gorshkov,’ the first warship carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, sailing off to routine combat service. Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said the navy frigate will conduct "a voyage in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea". Shoigu said that the Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). Russian President Putin reportedly oversaw the ceremony over video and stated: "I am sure that such a powerful armament will allow us to steadfastly defend Russia from potential foreign threats. It will help to maintain the national interests of our country." Trials of the Zircon aboard the Russian warship first began back in 2020 and were finalised last year. The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 4th January, along with a short statement: " [This] footage [shows] the exit of the frigate 'Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov' from the base." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 316th day of the invasion. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 5th January, Russia had lost about 109,720 personnel, 3,041 tanks, 6,108 armoured combat vehicles, 2,051 artillery units, 426 multiple launch rocket systems, 215 air defence systems, 284 warplanes, 271 helicopters, 1,844 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,759 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 182 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said further attacks deeper into Russian territory should be expected but did not specify whether Ukraine would be responsible for them. Budanov said he would only be able to comment if his country would be behind the strikes after the war was over. A United States administration official said fierce fighting is likely to continue in the near future, especially around the largely ruined front-line city of Bakhmut. "The fighting is still quite hot … I think what we’re seeing in Bakhmut we should expect to see elsewhere along the front that there will be continued fighting in the coming months," the official added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces around Bakhmut were inflicting numerous losses on the Russians and said Moscow was building up its forces in the region. The Ukrainian foreign minister says that Patriot air defence systems provided by the US are soon to be deployed in Ukraine. US President Joe Biden said that Washington is also considering sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine. The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) is a tracked armoured fighting vehicle platform that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower, communications, and protection. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a warship armed with new hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles towards the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Putin said the missiles were unique worldwide. Russia says that mass production of new combat electronics and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems is set to begin in the next couple of months. France’s government reportedly said it would send Ukraine light AMX-10 RC armoured combat vehicles to help in the war against Russia.

These images show a fearless Ukrainian female soldier digging a trench through the mud as loud blasts of Russian bombing go off in the background. In the footage, the brave soldier appears to be hard at work with a shovel as she digs deep into the muddy ground and in the rain. Then, she suddenly stops to take cover as an incoming Russian shell can be heard exploding nearby. The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 30th December, along with a statement: "Courageous female defenders, on an equal footing with men, are fighting for freedom for our country!" Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 310th day of the invasion. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 30th December, Russia had lost about 105,250 personnel, 3,026 tanks, 6,059 armoured combat vehicles, 2,010 artillery units, 423 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 268 helicopters, 1,740 drones, 711 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,683 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 180 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Residents of Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, have been urged to head to air raid shelters as sirens were going off across the city as Russia's aerial assaults shook the country. The city's military administration reported that five Shahed drones entered Kyiv’s airspace, and debris from one struck an administrative building in the Holosiiv district. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said air defences in Ukraine repelled 54 Russian missiles and 11 drones. Russian forces are said to have primarily struck infrastructure facilities, in the Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions causing widespread disruptions to energy, heating, and water supplies. More than 18 residential buildings and 10 critical infrastructure installations were reportedly destroyed during the wave of Russian missile strikes. Many Ukrainian regions are suffering power outages, with the situation being "especially difficult" in Kyiv, Odesa and Kherson, according to President Zelenskyy. And Belarus' Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down a Ukrainian S-300 missile in a field in Russia's latest attacks on Ukraine. US President Joe Biden signed a USD 1.7 trillion (GBP 1.4 trillion) spending bill that includes emergency support for Ukraine. The UK said it has given Ukraine more than 1,000 metal detectors and 100 kits to deactivate bombs to help clear minefields in a bid to provide military support for the country in the conflict with Russia. Britain's Defence Minister Ben Wallace said the UK would grant GBP 2.2 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2023.

These images show Israeli defence forces hitting Hamas assets in a raid on Gazza after six rockets were reportedly fired at southern Israel. The first piece of footage, obtained from the Israeli police and filmed from the point of view of an Israeli soldier, shows part of an earlier raid in Gaza to arrest a suspect. Gunfire can be heard in the background as Israeli soldiers storm a building. A rocket can then be seen being fired from a window and hitting a building. The second piece of footage, obtained from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), shows them manoeuvring in an armoured vehicle and coming under attack from people on the street, who can be seen throwing objects at them. The third piece of footage shows the IDF attacking Gaza this morning, on Thursday, 23rd February, with the IDF saying (in Hebrew): "Documentation of this morning's IDF attacks in the Gaza Strip." Newsflash obtained a statement from the Israeli police on Wednesday, 22nd February, regarding the first piece of footage, saying (in Hebrew): "Documentation from the helmet cameras - Navy fighters from wanted sites in the alleys of the Kasbah of Nablus." A second statement, from the Israel Defence Forces, also obtained on Wednesday, regarding the second piece of footage, said (in English): "SSGT Ido Baruch was murdered by Lion’s Den terrorists on October 11th, 2022. "During a counterterrorism activity last week, 2 of the assailants were apprehended in Nablus. This week, 3 wanted suspects were identified by the ISA in a hideout apartment in Nablus. "After surrounding the building, security forces asked the suspects to turn themselves in. They refused and opened fired at the forces, so the security forces operated to thwart the terrorist squad. "During attempts to apprehend the terrorists, one of the wanted suspects who fled the building was neutralized by the forces. 2 additional wanted suspects opened fire, initiating an exchange of fire with Israeli forces, during which the two suspects were neutralized. "Furthermore, suspects hurled rocks, explosive devices & Molotov cocktails at the forces. In the building where the wanted suspects were located, the forces found and confiscated ammunition and two weapons. "The IDF will continue to operate to counter any terrorist threats." (sic)

This is the moment the Royal Australian Navy's Warramunga and Brisbane vessels have their fuel tanks replenished with help from the US navy. In the footage released by the Royal Australian Navy today, 20th October, the HMA ships can be seen docking with the USNS Big Horn. The 'dual replenishment' mission saw the Australian ships replenished by the USNS Big Horn. The USNS Big Horn is a US navy Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler that was launched in 1991. The Big Horn has primarily been used in Humanitarian missions delivering oil to crisis struck regions. The ship deliver oil during the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief missions delivering ver 2,000,000 gallons of fuel during operation ' Operation Unified Response'. HMAS Warramunga is the third of eight Anzac Class frigates built by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria for the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Brisbane is the second of three ships of the Hobart Class guided-missile destroyers and has several key roles in the Austrian navy including air defence, surface warfare, surveillance and undersea warfare. Royal Australian Navy/CZ/Peter Barker

This is the 90-year-old Chinese woman who has become one the oldest patients to be released from hospital after provisionally being declared free of the coronavirus. Ms Liu was treated for six days at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in East China’s Jiangxi Province before finally being discharged on 20th February. Footage shows the pensioner being wheeled out of the facility by her daughter and shedding tears when medics say she can finally go home.

This is the heartwarming moment a police officer gives a sobbing young man who was feeling overwhelmed with life a hug. The incident took place recently on a road in Macomb County, in the US state of Michigan. The footage shows the police deputy checking on the man after receiving a call about a car stopped by the side of the road, with the caller apparently concerned that something was wrong. The police arrived to find the man, who they named as 'Joe', saying they had changed his name to protect his privacy, sitting behind the wheel of his car in visible distress. One police officer asks what he can do to help and the man replies that he "could use a hug" before bursting into tears. The police officer is more than happy to comply and gives the man a heartwarming hug. The cops offer to get him someone to talk to, with the man explaining that he is "too stressed". Muting sensitive information, the cops also offer to call the young man's mother. He replies that he just did. The officers and the man then talk about mental counselling. The cops then give the man some phone numbers he can call to talk to someone. They also offer to talk to him themselves if ever the young man needs it. The man thanks the officers, who identify themselves as Jake and Fred, before the footage ends as the cops wish the young man a nice day and leave. The moving images were obtained from the Macomb County Sheriff's Office after they were released on 5th February along with a statement saying: "'I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words' – Ann Hood "A few days ago, Deputy Thorne was called to a vehicle that was sitting on the side of the road. The caller was concerned for the driver’s safety and believed he may have been passed out. Deputy Thorne arrived to find 'Joe'. Yes, we changed his name for privacy and took out a lot of personal information. (If you know him, please do not feel the need to post his name in the comments.) "Like most traffic stops, a second deputy arrived because he was in the area and that’s what we do; we check on one another. "Anyways, Joe explained to Deputy Thorne that he was headed to work and had to pull over because he was feeling down and just needed a break. "He didn’t want to hurt himself. He was upset and had multiple stressful issues making him feel overwhelmed. Deputy Thorne asked what he could do to help, and Joe simply responded that he could use a hug. That was all. A hug. "Deputy Thorne was more than happy to help a fellow human and gave Joe a good strong hug as Joe was able to release some emotional tears. "For the next twenty minutes, Deputy Thorne and Deputy Parisek, both military veterans, sat with Joe and exchanged some stories, helpful remedies, encouragement, and even a laugh at the end. "Deputy Thorne provided Joe with a few resources, including his own contact information, to help him get through the times when he was feeling overwhelmed. The two exchanged one last hug before going their separate ways. "Please remember that we are all human. We all have good days, bad days, and days that we feel we might not make it through. "But you can. Never be afraid to reach out and make that phone call to hear a helpful voice on the other end. Macomb County Crisis Center can be reached 24/7 at 855-996-2264. "We are proud to be the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. This is who WE are."