Russia Says Its T-72 Tanks Have Taken Out Ukrainian Ammo Depots And Foreign Gear

Russia has said that it has taken out Ukrainian ammo depots and foreign gear using T-72 tanks.

The footage begins by showing a Russian tank manoeuvring through a forested area.

It can then be seen driving on what appears to be a tarmac road before repeatedly opening fire on an unseen target.

Two Russian tanks are then seen opening fire in unison before manoeuvring away to avoid return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 30th January, along with a statement claiming: "The crews of the T-72 tanks of the Southern Military District carry out fire missions to destroy armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the zone of the special military operation.

"Tankers successfully hit targets that are at a considerable distance and out of the line of sight. Observation posts, ammunition depots, as well as foreign military equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper are being destroyed according to the coordinates obtained with the help of the UAV.

"The servicemen of a tank company conduct manoeuvre battles using natural shelters and terrain folds.

"From closed firing positions, the main targets are observation posts, ammunition depots and the accumulation of manpower of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Fire on targets was corrected from 'drones', which recorded the accuracy of hitting objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

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

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 341st day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 30th January 2023, Russia had lost about 126,650 personnel, 3,201 tanks, 6,369 armoured combat vehicles, 2,196 artillery units, 453 multiple launch rocket systems, 221 air defence systems, 293 warplanes, 284 helicopters, 1,947 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,041 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 199 units of special equipment.

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

Ukrainian officials have said that Russian missiles targeted a school, hospital, bus station, post office and residential buildings in the city of Kherson on Sunday, leaving three people dead and five injured.

A missile also hit Kharkiv on Sunday, with an apartment building hit, killing one person.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russia’s Wagner mercenary organisation, which the United States has designated as a transnational criminal organisation, have both claimed to control the Blahodatne area in Donetsk.

Ukraine said on Sunday that it had repelled an attack in the area, with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine saying: “Units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces repelled the attacks of the occupiers in the areas of ... Blahodatne ... in the Donetsk region.”

But the Wagner organisation claimed it had taken control of the village.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a top aide to Ukraine’s President, has said that Ukraine and its Western allies are “fast-tracking” talks on equipping Kyiv with long-range missiles and military aircraft.

US officials are reportedly asking the Pentagon to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine so it can defend itself from Russian drones and missiles.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that Germany will not send fighter jets.

Scholz said: “I can only advise against entering into a constant bidding war when it comes to weapons systems.”

The German Chancellor added: “if, as soon as a decision [on tanks] has been made, the next debate starts in Germany, that doesn’t come across as serious and undermines citizens’ confidence in government decisions.”