Russian MLRS BM-21 'Grad' Fires Rockets During High-Speed March Into Combat

This footage purports to show Russian soldiers allegedly destroying Ukrainian equipment and manpower using a 'Grad' multiple-launch rocket system.

Two fighters from Russia's Central Military District can be seen aiming and shooting the rockets in an unknown direction as other crew members sit behind the wheel of the BM-21 Grad vehicle.

The BM-21 Grad was designed in the Soviet Union in 1963 and has been in service since then to the present.

The soldiers with the armoured vehicle, which bore the now infamous 'O' white painted letter, were allegedly on a special military operation somewhere in Ukraine.

The 'O', as well as the letters 'V' and 'Z', are symbols that are often painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

After the soldiers seen in the video fired all the rockets and emptied out the rocket launcher, they quickly drove off and left following the alleged speed march into combat.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 21st December, along with a statement that said: "Having made a high-speed march to the starting positions from the combat duty area, the artillerymen of the Central Military District deployed and aimed the Grad installation at the targets of Ukrainian nationalists reconnoitred by unmanned aircraft.

"During the missile strike, lightly armoured vehicles and enemy manpower were destroyed.

"Having completed the fire destruction of the enemy, the calculation changed its position, leaving from under a possible return fire.

"The command of the Central Military District notes the high efficiency of the Grad MLRS crews during a special military operation."

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 301st day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 21st December, Russia had lost about 99,740 personnel, 3,002 tanks, 5,979 armoured combat vehicles, 1972 artillery units, 412 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 282 warplanes, 267 helicopters, 1,688 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,608 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 178 units of special equipment.

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to Ukrainian troops serving on the intense Bakhmut front on 20th December to commend their bravery and presented them with awards.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin held a senior-level award ceremony where he celebrated Russian occupation and Kremlin officials.

Zelensky is expected to soon visit the US Congress in Washington with a plea for aid in the conflict with Russia.

And US President Joe Biden is set to unveil nearly USD 1.8 billion (GBP 1.4 billion) in military assistance to help strengthen Ukraine's defences in the upcoming winter.

Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that Russia “gave” Belarus an unspecified number of S-400 air defence systems during his meeting with Putin in Minsk after Lukashenko had previously rejected them from operating in Belarus in 2020.

Putin acknowledged conditions in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine are becoming "extremely difficult".

Russian forces are expanding their defences on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast as Putin put out orders to strengthen Russia's borders.

The US State Department said Iran's drone shipments to Russia that are to be used in the conflict with Ukraine are turning relations between Tehran and Moscow into a "full-fledged defence partnership".

British defence minister Ben Wallace called upon the West to do more to expose Russia and Iran's trade of military components.

The electricity supplies around Kyiv are reportedly at a critical level as Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal urges the nation to prepare for new attacks that will have them spend the New Year holidays in darkness.

Over 10 million people in Ukraine’s population may suffer from a mental health disorder due to the war, according to the World Health Organization's estimations.