Ukrainian Border Guards Destroy Russian BMP In The Luhansk Region

This is the moment Ukrainian artillerymen blast a Russian BMP with gunfire after their comrades from the State Border Service discovered the enemy vehicle in a field area in the Luhansk region.

Ukrainian Border guards detected the enemy vehicle while conducting aerial reconnaissance and quickly relayed the information to the artillery unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

After the border guards pinpointed the exact location of the enemy BMP, defenders aimed their fire directly at the target and destroyed it.

The BMP-1 is a Russian-made infantry fighting vehicle which has been in service since 1966.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the State Border Service of Ukraine on 25th December, along with a statement that said: "Christmas barbecue recipe: we add an artillery shell to the crowded 'behu' occupiers. Done!

"In Luhansk, DPSU air reconnaissance detected a hostile BMP. Coordinates of identified targets were passed on by the border guards to the ZSU [Ukrainian Armed Forces] gunners.

"Already from the first shot, 'beha' was hit by the mastery of the 'god of war'. Another projectile – a real fire show for the occupants!

"Glory to the defenders of Ukraine!"

The term 'beha' is used by the Ukrainian army which refers to the T-72 Russian main battle tanks.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 306th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 26th December, Russia had lost about 102,600 personnel, 3,016 tanks, 6,017 armoured combat vehicles, 1,996 artillery units, 418 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 267 helicopters, 1,707 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,647 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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow is ready to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine while accusing the West of trying to “tear apart historical Russia”.

But Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak has dismissed Putin's claims after Russia's continuous bombardment of many Ukrainian towns, most notably in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions.

At least 10 people were killed and dozens were injured after being struck in missile attacks in the Ukrainian-held areas of the Kherson region during the weekend.

The deadly shelling continued throughout Christmas Day.

It came while many Orthodox Ukrainians observed Christmas on 25th December, after allegedly being forced by the war to abandon their traditional celebration on 7th January.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a holiday message about perseverance to Ukrainians who celebrated Christmas over the weekend.

"We endured at the beginning of the war – we withstood attacks, threats, nuclear blackmail, terror, missile strikes," Zelenskyy said.

"Even in complete darkness, we will find each other to hug each other tightly. And if there is no heat, we will embrace each other for a long time to warm one another.

"We will smile and be happy, as always. There is one difference – we will not wait for a miracle, since we are creating it ourselves," he added.

Pope Francis has appealed for an end to the "senseless" war in Ukraine in his traditional Christmas message.

Meanwhile, Belarusian officials announced that the Iskander tactical missile systems which Russia has provided are fully prepared to perform their tasks.

The 9K720 Iskander is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system that can carry up to two missiles and is capable of handling missions in any weather, day or night, produced and deployed by the Russian military.

The announcement comes amid Moscow’s increasing pressure on Minsk to aid its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak, said Moscow is ready to resume gas supplies to Europe through the Yamal-Europe pipeline.

It remains unclear whether European countries connected by the pipeline will agree to buy Russian gas again.