Ukrainian Artillery Destroys Russian Fortifications Near Bakhmut

This is the moment Ukrainian artillerymen eliminate at least a dozen of Russian soldiers and destroy their fortifications near the bloodied front-line city of Bakhmut.

The "real-time" footage shows Russian soldiers taking cover in dugouts moments before they are struck with artillery fire.

One soldier appears to be making a run for his life but ends up cowering on the ground as gunfire pummels his surroundings.

The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the 71st Separate Hunting Brigade of the Airborne Assault Troops of Ukraine on 3rd January, along with a statement: "On the instructions of the operators of the BPLA 71 of the separate Ukrainian brigade of the DSHV, our artillery covered the enemy's fortifications near Bakhmut.

"So impressive that almost no occupants remained there.

"Drones hovered over Russian positions and corrected the fire.

"And at the same time, in real-time, they filmed the attacks. They recorded the losses of the occupants — at least a dozen.

"Their positions were wiped clean so much that the DSHV had to just go. That's what they did afterwards."

The information was also relayed by the Command of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which added: "Together to victory! Glory to Ukraine!"

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 314th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 3rd January, Russia had lost about 108,190 personnel, 3,036 tanks, 6,100 armoured combat vehicles, 2,033 artillery units, 424 multiple launch rocket systems, 214 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 270 helicopters, 1,839 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,735 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 181 units of special equipment.

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

Ukraine's Defence Ministry has claimed responsibility for an attack in Makiivka, a Russian-held city in Donetsk that allegedly killed around 400 Russian soldiers.

The Russian Ministry of Defence 63 soldiers of recently mobilised troops died in the attack on Makiivka when Ukraine hit "a temporary deployment facility" with four US-supplied Himars missiles.

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said it also "successfully" shot down 39 (Iranian-made) Shahed drones, two Orlan-10 drones and a Kh-59 cruise missile.

Russian drones have attacked infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv and the surrounding regions, damaging energy facilities and causing some power outages, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Russia is preparing a drone attack campaign to "exhaust" Ukraine.

"It is probably banking on exhaustion. Exhausting our people, our anti-aircraft defences, our energy," Zelenskyy said in his Monday address.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine's armed forces have shot down more than 80 drones since the beginning of 2023.

The UK Ministry of Defence said Russia's attacks near Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region are unlikely to yield a significant breakthrough in the near future.

And former NATO general Hans-Lothar Domrose said a truce between Russia and Ukraine can be expected during 2023, possibly even in the early months.