Russia Says It Has Fired On Ukrainian Positions Using 'Grad' Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

Russia has said that it has fired on Ukrainian military positions using 'Grad' multiple launch rocket systems.

The footage purports to show one of the Russian war machines manoeuvring into position. It can be seen with white 'Z' symbols on it.

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 vehicle's Russian crew can then be seen calibrating it before the BM-21 'Grad' fires a salvo of missiles at an unseen target.

The missiles can be seen shooting into the sky in quick succession before the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, 7th December, along with a statement claiming: "Crews of Grad multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of the Southern Military District continue to perform combat missions in the special military operation zone.

"122-mm Gradov rockets hit strongholds and command posts, areas of concentration of manpower, heavy equipment, artillery and mortar batteries of the enemy.

"Every day, MLRS crews perform from 10 to 25 fire missions.

"After firing a volley, combat vehicles covertly change position, reload and strike again."

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 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.