Ukrainian Naval Forces Detonate Anti-Ship Mine In The Black Sea Coast Near Odesa

This is the moment Ukrainian naval forces perform a controlled detonation of a Russian mine that was discovered in the waters of southern Ukraine's Black Sea coast.

Specialists of the demining group of the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully neutralised the anti-ship mine near one of the beaches of Odesa.

The footage shows a professional diver carefully recovering the Russian mine from the near-shore waters.

The video then cuts to the mine exploding far off the Ukrainian coast as the Naval military performs a controlled detonation of the dangerous find.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Military Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 4th January, along with a statement: "A unit of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully destroyed another sea mine.

"This time the anti-ship mine was in coastal waters, a few metres from one of the beaches of the Odesa region.

"The dangerous find was immediately reported to the military.

"The explosive object was promptly neutralized by the forces of the demining group of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"We remind you that in case of detection of explosive or suspicious objects, in no case should you approach them, touch them and try to move them yourself.

"Immediately restrict access to the danger zone and notify the appropriate services."

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.