Russian Soldiers From Russia's Largest Military District Use D-20 Howitzers To Fire

The video shows the moment Russian artillery crews fire 152-millimetre howitzer-guns at soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Russia's Ministry of Defence revealed that soldiers destroyed individual targets using Soviet-made heavy gun-howitzers on Wednesday, 28th December.

The 152-millimetre towed gun-howitzer M1955, also known as D-20, saw action in both the Winter War and World War II.

Ministry authorities said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "Military personnel spent no more than two minutes from receiving a target to firing a shot.

"The adjustment of fire with the help of unmanned aircraft followed next."

The statement continued: "Artillery crews are staffed not only by contract servicemen, but also by volunteers who successfully carry out combat missions."

Russia's Central Military District, where the Russian soldiers were trained, is reportedly the largest military district in Russia, at more than 7 million square kilometres (2.7 million square miles) in area.

The Russian crews reportedly changed their positions following the fire.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 308th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 28th December, Russia had lost about 103,770 personnel, 3,017 tanks, 6,037 armoured combat vehicles, 1,999 artillery units, 418 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 267 helicopters, 1,707 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,660 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 179 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported the number of civilian casualties in Russia's war on Ukraine has reached as many as 6,884 people, including 429 children, who are believed to have died in Ukraine between 24th February and 26th December.

But the actual figure could be "considerably higher", the agency said, "as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration".

Air raid warnings continue to be in effect in Ukraine's capital, according to the Kyiv city state administration.

The bodies of 42 Ukrainian servicemen who died while fighting have been returned to Ukraine, the Ukrainian government reported.

The European Union has announced that it will support "more than 700,000 Ukrainians in the winter" as the war rages on.

The UK Defence Ministry said the front line in eastern Ukraine remains little changed despite fierce fighting on both sides, but without any major advances.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the situation along the eastern front line in Donbas "difficult and painful".

An Australian man has reportedly died fighting in Ukraine, according to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Sage O'Donnell, from the south-eastern state of Victoria, was allegedly killed just before Christmas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which Moscow will ban oil sales to nations participating in an imposed cap from February 2023.

The gas cap is to be set at EUR 180 (GBP 160) as of 15th February after European officials agreed to intervene in the energy crisis.