Russia Shows Its Troops Operating Self-Propelled Howitzer On Ukrainian Battlefield

These images reportedly show Russian soldiers operating a self-propelled howitzer to attack Ukrainian positions on the battlefield.

The footage reportedly shows the scene from inside a 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, with it seen repeatedly opening fire on unseen positions, with soldiers hastily reloading the war machine so that it can fire another round.

The vehicle can be seen shaking as a round is fired, with the images then switching to what appears to be an aerial view of the target area before the vehicle can be seen apparently manoeuvring to a new location in order to avoid being hit by return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 28th November, along with a statement claiming that they show Russian soldiers operating a 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer and hitting Ukrainian positions.

The Russian MoD also claimed: "Artillerymen, supporting the actions of motorized rifle units, fire at fortifications, accumulations of manpower and columns of enemy military equipment.

"Reconnaissance using an unmanned aerial vehicle revealed an enemy observation post located not far from the line of contact between the parties. The task of artillery is to suppress it in the shortest possible time. It is for this purpose that the calculation of the Akatsiya gun mount is put forward to the position.

"Guidance of the gun according to intelligence data and rapid fire with 155-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells made it possible to destroy the position of Ukrainian nationalists, which was confirmed by objective control data.

"When performing fire missions, gunners constantly interact with crews of unmanned aerial vehicles that reconnoitre enemy positions and adjust the accuracy of the fire of combat vehicles."

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 278th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 28th November, Russia had lost about 87,900 personnel, 2,908 tanks, 5,861 armoured combat vehicles, 1,899 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 209 air defence systems, 278 warplanes, 261 helicopters, 1,555 drones, 531 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,416 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.

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

Petro Kotin, the head of Energoatom, the Ukrainian state nuclear power plant operator, has said that there are signs that the Russian forces could be preparing to abandon the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Kotin said: “In recent weeks we are effectively receiving information that signs have appeared that they are possibly preparing to leave.”

He added: “One gets the impression they’re packing their bags and stealing everything they can.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is planning to launch fresh missile attacks.

Zelensky said on Sunday evening: “We understand that terrorists are preparing new strikes. We know that for sure. And as long as they have missiles, they won’t stop, unfortunately.”

Hundreds of Ukrainians have reportedly left the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine after Russian shelling intensified on Sunday.

Evacuations from the city began last week amid fears that there was a lack of electricity, water and heating.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly set to promise to maintain or increase military aid to Ukraine in 2023, according to an extract from a speech he is set to give today.

The Prime Minister will reportedly say: “We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will maintain or increase our military aid next year. And we will provide new support for air defence.”

The authorities in Ukraine are slowly restoring power across the country, but millions are still said to be doing without heat or electricity after Russia’s heaviest missile strikes so far in the war.

Zelensky said: “We have been restoring electricity generation and supply day after day.”

He added: “As of today, in most regions of the country, only stabilisation schedules of shutdowns are in effect.”

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that Russia is currently hitting Ukraine with ageing cruise missiles that have been stripped of their nuclear warheads because Russia’s stocks are so depleted.

The UK MoD added that the move by the Russian side was “unlikely to achieve reliable effects”.