Ukrainian Mortars Literally Sweep Russian Invaders From Their Positions Near Bakhmut

These images show Ukrainian mortars shelling Russian soldiers near Bakhmut, with Ukrainian paratroopers saying that the Russians were "literally swept from their positions".

The footage shows Russian troops being pummelled by Ukrainian mortars in a move that reportedly saw them forced to abandon their defensive positions.

The images were obtained from the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 8th December: "And this is the expert work of our mortars.

"Guided by drones, they literally swept the invaders from their positions near Bakhmut."

They also joked: "Even an excavated ravine, which would perhaps have saved from a nuclear strike, did not protect the residents from a sniper hit by a 120-calibre explosive. Accurate and reliable. It is said that no more enemy movements were observed."

The images were also relayed by the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces on Thursday, 8th December, along with a statement saying: "Air Assault hunters destroyed the enemy's manpower in the area of ​​the city of Bakhmut.

"The video captures the meticulous work of the mortar unit of a separate jaeger brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"In particular, guided mortars in relation to enemy actions thanks to UAV units, calculations destroyed the manpower of the occupiers at one of the positions in the area of ​​the city of Bakhmut.

"After a successful fire attack, no more occupiers were seen in this area. We continue to work, - noted the commander of the mortar division of the separate hunting brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"Together to victory! Always the first! Glory to the heroes! Glory to Ukraine!"

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 288th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 8th December, Russia had lost about 93,080 personnel, 2,937 tanks, 5,911 armoured combat vehicles, 1,925 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,603 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,528 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 164 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 said on Wednesday that the war in Ukraine could become a “long-term process”.

He also denied that large numbers of Moscow’s forces were deserting from the Ukrainian battlefields.

Putin also said that Russia would not use nuclear weapons first in any conflict.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said today, Thursday, that the risk of nuclear weapons being used in the Ukraine war has decreased as a result of the international community putting pressure on Russia.

Scholz said: “One thing has changed for the time being: Russia has stopped threatening to use nuclear weapons. In response to the international community marking a red line.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russian shelling killed 10 people and wounded numerous others in the eastern Ukrainian town of Kurakhove.

Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, has warned of an “apocalypse” scenario for the Ukrainian capital this winter if the country’s energy infrastructure continues to be targeted by Russian airstrikes.

Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, said that Moscow is trying to “freeze” the conflict in Ukraine over the winter period as it prepares for renewed assaults early next year.

Stoltenberg urged the alliance’s allies to keep sending weapons to Ukraine over the winter period, saying that the conditions for peace talks are “not there now”.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, has said that 31 “suspicious packages” had so far been sent to Ukrainian diplomatic missions in 15 countries, in what Kyiv has described as a “campaign of terror and intimidation”.

The United Kingdom has ordered “several thousand” NLAW anti-tank weapons to replace the 7,000 supplied to Ukraine in 2022.