Russia Claims Its Tank Crews Destroyed Ukrainian Fortifications

These images purportedly show Russian tank crews destroying Ukrainian fortifications in a "special military operation".

The footage shows Russian soldiers allegedly setting off for combat in tanks to an unknown location.

Suddenly, the footage cuts to a POV shot of a tank's canon firing at unseen targets in a ruined urban area.

Russian troops can be seen shooting numerous rounds at dilapidated buildings that were alleged Ukrainian strongholds, then supposedly returning to base.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 5th January, along with a statement: "The crews of T-72B3M tanks of the Southern Military District carry out the tasks of destroying firing points, fortified positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a special military operation.

"Tankers confidently operate on the battlefield, suppressing the enemy's firing points in the conditions of the massive use of anti-tank weapons.

"Fire on the enemy is carried out both by direct and semi-direct fire at a distance of 500 to 3,000 metres."

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 316th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 5th January, Russia had lost about 109,720 personnel, 3,041 tanks, 6,108 armoured combat vehicles, 2,051 artillery units, 426 multiple launch rocket systems, 215 air defence systems, 284 warplanes, 271 helicopters, 1,844 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,759 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 182 units of special equipment.

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

The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said further attacks deeper into Russian territory should be expected but did not specify whether Ukraine would be responsible for them.

Budanov said he would only be able to comment if his country would be behind the strikes after the war was over.

A United States administration official said fierce fighting is likely to continue in the near future, especially around the largely ruined front-line city of Bakhmut.

"The fighting is still quite hot … I think what we’re seeing in Bakhmut we should expect to see elsewhere along the front that there will be continued fighting in the coming months," the official added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces around Bakhmut were inflicting numerous losses on the Russians and said Moscow was building up its forces in the region.

The Ukrainian foreign minister says that Patriot air defence systems provided by the US are soon to be deployed in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden said that Washington is also considering sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) is a tracked armoured fighting vehicle platform that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower, communications, and protection.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a warship armed with new hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles towards the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Putin said the missiles were unique worldwide.

Russia says that mass production of new combat electronics and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems is set to begin in the next couple of months.

France’s government reportedly said it would send Ukraine light AMX-10 RC armoured combat vehicles to help in the war against Russia.