Russians Practice Shooting With Modern T-90M 'Breakthrough' Tanks In Military Operation Zone

These images show members from a Russian military tank unit practising shooting at targets with modern and upgraded T-90M "Breakthrough".

The T-90M, also known as Proryv-3 (Breakthrough-3), is an upgraded and improved version of the earlier T-90 model, Russia's main battle tank.

The main difference is that the T-90M is equipped with a modern surveillance system and thermal imagery, which allows the crew to easily observe the outside while manning the guns.

In the footage, a batch of T-90M tanks can be seen entering service as they are being driven into a special military operation meant to improve tank crews' skills in combat.

The modern tanks reportedly entered service with a tank unit of the Central Military District (TsVO) in the military operation zone (NVO) in Ukraine.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 20th December, along with a statement that said: "Tankers practice shooting at targets from the standard armament of the tank both from closed positions and from open direct fire, the fire is adjusted using unmanned aerial vehicles.

"In addition, the crews are driving new vehicles over natural obstacles in the terrain."

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 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.