Rare Close-Up Images Of Ukrainian Forces Exchanging Fire With Russian Soldiers On The Frontlines

These images show Ukrainian forces exchanging fire with Russian soldiers on the frontlines.

The footage begins by showing a soldier speaking on a walkie-talkie and marching in an area near some trees as gunshots can be heard ringing out in the distance.

The images then show Ukrainian soldiers keeping their heads down while taking up their positions and opening fire on unseen Russian forces.

The images were obtained from the 17th Separate Kryvyi Rih Tank Brigade named after Konstantin Pestushko of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Tuesday, 10th January, along with a statement saying: "Fragments of the battle of infantry soldiers of the 17th Separate Tank Brigade.

"Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Armed Forces!"

The images and statement were also relayed by the Operational Command 'East of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 322nd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 11th January, Russia had lost about 112,960 personnel, 3,094 tanks, 6,159 armoured combat vehicles, 2,078 artillery units, 437 multiple launch rocket systems, 217 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 275 helicopters, 1,862 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 17 warships, 4,826 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 184 units of special equipment.

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

The leader of the Russian mercenary organisation Wagner has claimed that his forces have taken control of the Ukrainian town of Soledar.

Yevgeny Prigozhin said: “Wagner units have taken the whole territory of Soledar under control.”

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the "heroic" defenders of the town but did not provide any new information about the military situation on the ground.

US and Ukrainian officials have said that Russia's artillery fire has dropped by up to 75 per cent in some places on the battlefield, indicating a weakening of the Russian position in the conflict.

Western officials have said that Ukraine cannot retake significant swathes of territory from Moscow without a boost to its military capability, including tanks.

One Western official said on Tuesday that the Russian and Ukrainian forces are too closely matched for Kyiv to be able to launch a major offensive.

They said that a request from Ukraine for 300 tanks was “not an unreasonable number” in order to be able to launch an offensive against Russia’s forces.

US officials have said that Ukrainian troops are to begin training to use the Patriot missile system in the US as early as next week.

The training programme is reportedly expected to take “several months”.