Ukrainian Special Forces Destroy Russian T-80 Tank

These images show Ukrainian special forces destroying a Russian T-80 tank.

The operation was reportedly carried out by soldiers belonging to the 'Alpha' Group of the Security Service (SBU) of Ukraine, the country's main intelligence organisation.

The footage begins by showing the Russian tank opening fire on Ukrainian positions before it can be seen being hit while driving down a dirt road.

Smoke begins to gush from the T-80 before it can be seen at a standstill and with its Russian crew fleeing for their lives. The tank can then be seen burning, with flames emanating from it as smoke rises into the air.

The images were obtained from the SBU on Tuesday, 6th December, along with a statement saying: "Special forces from the SBU's 'Alpha' Group destroyed the Russian T-80."

"For some time, the enemy gave our advanced positions a 'nightmare' using the tactics of rapid shelling from tanks. But it did not last long - one of them was exposed and destroyed by a tactical group of fighters of the 'A' Special Operations Center of the SBU.

"And the crew ran away in such a panic that our defenders had destroyed another occupier.

"Let's destroy everyone who came to our land with weapons! Russians, run away while you're still alive..."

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 287th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 7th December, Russia had lost about 92,740 personnel, 2,935 tanks, 5,909 armoured combat vehicles, 1,923 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,601 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,526 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.

The governor of the Russian region of Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoyt has said that a drone attack has set fire to an oil storage tank at an airfield some 280 kilometres (175 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

The attack comes a day after two military airfields were also reportedly attacked deep inside Russia’s territory.

One of the attacks reportedly hit the Engels airfield in the Saratov region, which is where Russia houses some of its strategic nuclear bombers.

Kyiv has not directly claimed responsibility for the attacks, with the United States saying on Tuesday that it had not “enabled” Ukraine to carry out strikes inside Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We have neither encouraged nor enabled the Ukrainians to strike inside of Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly convened his Security Council following the alleged drone strikes.

The Kremlin has said that Putin has met with senior officials to discuss “domestic security”, adding that Moscow was taking “necessary” steps to protect itself from further attacks.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that he agrees with Blinken that there needs to be peace in Ukraine, but he added that Russia does not see peace talks as a possible option “at the moment”.

Peskov added that for peace talks to be able to take place, Russia would first need to achieve the goals of its “special military operation”.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has requested that regional authorities suspend non-essential surgeries at the country’s hospitals due to the ongoing power blackouts caused by waves of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

EU officials have said that they will make sure that Ukraine gets EUR 18 billion in financial aid. The move comes after Hungary said it would block the funds from being released, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also accused of “holding hostage” funds destined for Ukraine’s hospitals.

Orban’s government has been accused of “cynical obstructionism” after Hungary said on Tuesday that it would block the EUR 18 billion in aid.