WAR IN UKRAINE: Russia Says It Has Fired On Ukrainian Positions With Self-Propelled Howitzers

Russia has said that it has fired on Ukrainian positions with self-propelled howitzers, as this footage purports to show.

The images begin by showing the Russian self-propelled howitzers preparing to fire, with ordnance being loaded into their long guns.

They can then be seen repeatedly opening fire on unseen targets.

The war machines can then be seen manoeuvring away in a bid to avoid return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, 2nd February, along with a statement claiming: "ZVO [Western Military District] Crews of 'Msta-S' self-propelled howitzers destroy artillery, defensive structures and command posts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine within the framework of the special military operation."

The Russian MoD continued: "Artillery units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during the special military operation continue to carry out combat missions to destroy artillery batteries, defensive structures, command posts, weapons and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"In the course of carrying out combat missions, crews of 152-mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzers use high-explosive, high-explosive fragmentation, as well as high-precision ammunition, which makes it possible to inflict maximum damage on fortifications, deep concrete fortifications, armoured vehicles and enemy manpower.

"Shooting from the Msta-S howitzer can be carried out at a distance of up to 30 kilometres both from closed firing positions and direct fire without preliminary preparation of firing positions.

"The accuracy of the fire is provided by artillery spotters and operators of unmanned aerial vehicles.

"Self-propelled 'Msta-S' guns are constantly on the move. This round-the-clock artillery round-the-clock tactic disorients the enemy, forces them to waste ammunition, declassify the positions of their camouflaged firing points, and most importantly, saves the lives of Russian servicemen.

“Combat team is coming. We take our jobs, go to a certain firing position, occupy it, prepare for battle and start work. After working out on the positions of the enemy, we roll out back to the place of permanent deployment. About five to six times a day.

"Lots of work. Everything is automated in the car. There is an automatic loader. High rate of fire and range. We have communication through headsets - we communicate with each other, we understand each other, ”said the commander of the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer.

"Combat missions as part of the ACS crews are also performed by military personnel who were called up from the reserve as part of partial mobilization and completed the full cycle of training and combat coordination at the training grounds of the Western Military District (ZVO), including in the rear areas of the special military operation.

"At the forefront, they are already fully engaged in combat work and daily inflict fire damage on enemy manpower and armoured vehicles.

"Calculations are coordinated, focused and aimed at victory. Each serviceman knows his task and is ready to insure a comrade, and, if necessary, to take his place.

"Among the gunners, there are those who were awarded high awards. Thus, the battery commander with the call sign 'Kama' was awarded the Zhukov medal for professionalism and courage. With accurate shots, his subordinates destroyed dozens of foreign mercenaries."

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

The Msta is a 152.4 mm self-propelled howitzer designed by the Soviet Union. It entered service in 1989.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 344th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 2nd February 2023, Russia had lost about 129,030 personnel, 3,211 tanks, 6,382 armoured combat vehicles, 2,212 artillery units, 458 multiple launch rocket systems, 222 air defence systems, 293 warplanes, 284 helicopters, 1,951 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,064 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 200 units of special equipment.

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

At least two people have been killed and seven injured when a Russian rocket destroyed an apartment building in the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, according to the regional governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko.

He said: “Rescuers, law enforcement and public utilities are working at the scene to go through the rubble of the destroyed building. It is likely that people are still underneath.”

Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Wednesday evening that there is fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine, with Russian troops attempting to advance near the strategic city of Lyman.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russian forces are attempting to make gains that they can show on the anniversary of the invasion, which will be on 24th February.

Zelensky said: “A definite increase has been noted in the offensive operations of the occupiers on the front in the east of our country. The situation has become tougher.”

Andrei Medvedev, a former commander of Russia’s Wagner mercenary organisation who fled to Norway, reportedly said he wished to apologise for having fought in Ukraine and wanted to bring the perpetrators of atrocities carried out in the conflict to justice.

He also said that he witnessed Russian prisoners who were taken to Ukraine to fight for Wagner being mistreated and killed.

The UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, has said that he does not think that it would be the right decision to send UK fighter jets to Ukraine “for now”.

He also said that it was “not a solid decision” and added: “I’ve learned two things: never rule anything in and never rule anything out.”

Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has said that he is not in favour of sending fighter jets to Ukraine, saying that it would probably be a step too far and could lead allies into being drawn into an outright war with Russia.

But Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Ukraine’s western allies to “give the Ukrainians the tools to finish the job”, including main battle tanks and combat aircraft.

Speaking to the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, the UK’s former Prime Minister urged allies to “stop focusing on Putin and focus entirely on Ukraine.

Spain has reportedly said that it will begin sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, with between four and six of the tanks set to be supplied to Kyiv.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the growing relationship between Russia and China represents a threat not only to Asia but to Europe as well.