Ukrainian Paratroopers Destroy Russian Reconnaissance Unit Near Bakhmut

These images show Ukrainian paratroopers destroying a Russian reconnaissance unit near Bakhmut that was trying to scout out and possibly sabotage the Ukrainian position.

The images show the Russian soldiers approaching the Ukrainian position through a forested area before they are hit by mortar fire, with at least two of the Russian soldiers taken out by the Ukrainian ordnance.

At least two other Russian soldiers can be seen retreating and leaving their comrades to their fates.

The images were obtained from the 71st Separate Jager Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Sunday, 11th December, along with a statement saying: "Jagers from the Airborne Assault Forces destroyed the enemy's reconnaissance unit in the Bakhmut area.

"The Russian occupiers in the Bakhmut area engaged a sabotage and reconnaissance group to identify the defence system of Ukrainian positions.

"However, it was not possible to get to the positions of the 71st Separate Jager Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces - all-seeing drones detected the movement of the enemy, and the mortar battery covered them with accurate fire.

"At least two occupiers will not return to their homes. These are only the confirmed enemy losses."

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 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.