Multiple Russian rocket launchers 'hit Ukrainian targets'

Description
Multiple Russian rocket launchers 'hit Ukrainian targets'

Russia has claimed that these images show multiple rocket launcher vehicles hitting Ukrainian targets.

The footage appears to show Russian soldiers deploying BM-21 'Grad ' vehicles and calibrating their targeting apparatus before they open fire.

The images apparently show one of the vehicles, sporting a 'Z' on its side, firing a salvo of missiles at unknown targets before moving to another location as the footage ends.

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.

In the footage, a soldier named only as Vladislav by Russian state media, says: "Our rocket artillery battery is successfully fulfilling combat missions to defeat the enemy. He does not sleep with us. Therefore, it is necessary to perform these missions at different locations.

"Accordingly, we often change our firing positions in order to prevent the defeat of our personnel and the destruction of our equipment.

"Therefore, we have to work in different conditions, day and night. We arrive, take up a firing position, determine several planned or unplanned targets, fold up and change our location. We are all accustomed to it, we are all trained. The staff is already trained. We do everything very quickly, everything is very manoeuverable."

The Russian MoD claimed in a statement obtained on the morning of Monday, 27th June, that the images show "the combat work of the crews of 'Grad' multiple launch rocket systems of the Western Military District in the performance of firing missions to destroy the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

They added: "After the strike, the crews of the MLRS leave the firing position. The reloading of the MLRS BM-21 "Grad" is carried out in the reserve area, after which they move to a new firing position to strike at newly identified targets.

We have not been able to independently verify the Russian Ministry of Defence's (MoD) claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 124th day of the invasion.

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