So-Called DPR Says Its Artillery Took Out A Ukrainian Tank Near Svativskyi

The pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic has said that its artillery took out a Ukrainian tank near Svativskyi in eastern Ukraine.

The footage begins by showing an artillery piece being loaded with shells before it can be seen repeatedly opening fire.

The video then cuts to drone footage purporting to show the shells hitting near the edge of a forested area, where some flames can be seen burning what the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said was a Ukrainian tank.

The images were obtained from the People's Militia of the DPR on Wednesday, 14th December, along with a statement claiming: "Artillerymen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroyed an enemy tank in the Svativskyi area."

The DPR added: "The fighters of one of the artillery brigades demonstrated a high level of training and coordination in hitting enemy targets. The fire of the 2A36 Giatsint-B cannons, which was corrected with the help of a UAV, managed to hit the enemy tank."

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage. Svativskyi is a raion in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 294th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 15th December, Russia had lost about 96,590 personnel, 2,975 tanks, 5,946 armoured combat vehicles, 1,943 artillery units, 406 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,644 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,563 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 172 units of special equipment.

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

The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has said that any suggestion that there could be a “Christmas ceasefire” in Ukraine is “not on the agenda”.

The comments came after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called on G7 leaders earlier this week to support a peace solution that would begin with Russia withdrawing its troops from Ukraine this Christmas.

At least 13 Iranian-made drones were shot down over Kyiv on Wednesday, according to the Ukrainian military, with the authorities describing the attacks as a continuation of Russia’s assault against the country’s energy infrastructure.

But Ukrainian national grid operator Ukrenergo said that the Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding area on Wednesday failed to do any damage to energy facilities “thanks to the brilliant work of the air defence forces”.

The Ukrainian regional administration building in the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine has been hit by multiple Russian rockets, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office.

The head of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, has said that Russia is currently facing a “critical shortage” of artillery shells and that the Kremlin’s ability to carry out successful ground operations in Ukraine is “rapidly diminishing”.

The military chief added: “Russia faces a critical shortage of artillery munitions. This means that their ability to conduct successful offensive ground operations is rapidly diminishing.”