Ukrainian Defenders Cheer As They Shoot Down Russian Missile Using MANPADS

This is the moment Ukrainian defenders cheer at the sight of an enemy missile being brought down by their air-defence weapon.

The images show a Russian missile flying over their heads as they aim straight towards it.

Seconds later, a loud explosion blasts off in the air as their target is struck with the use of Ukrainian 9K38 Igla MANPADS.

Soldiers scream and jump for joy while watching the missile get blown to pieces and fall to the ground.

MANPADS (Man-portable air-defense systems) are surface-to-air guided weapons that can be carried and fired by a single individual or a small team of people.

The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the Centre of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of Ukraine on 29th December, along with a statement: "Today [Thur], rockets were shot down in various ways.

"Such emotions! They are priceless.

"Well done guys!"

It is not currently known where exactly the missile was shot down, but some reports stated it was near the city of Kyiv, Ukraine's capital.

The footage was also relayed by the Operational Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the message: "Death to enemies!"

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 309th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 29th December, Russia had lost about 104,560 personnel, 3,018 tanks, 6,047 armoured combat vehicles, 2,004 artillery units, 423 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 268 helicopters, 1,717 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,675 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 179 units of special equipment.

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

Blasts and air raid alarms were heard all around Ukraine's capital this morning amid reports that over 100 missiles were incoming across the country.

Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has claimed that more than 120 missiles have been launched into Ukraine by Russia.

The Head of the Ukrainian Military Administration of Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul, claimed that missiles are being launched at Ukraine from ships on the Black Sea.

Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko said that explosions have taken place in the capital, and asked residents to brace themselves for power outages and stock up on water.

Emergency power has reportedly been cut off in several regions of Ukraine.

The Kyiv City Military Administration has urged residents to head to shelters and keep calm until the air raid alarms go off.

This comes amidst the Kremlin's rejection of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposed 10-point plan of peace negotiations.

Russia will reportedly 'talk peace' only if Ukraine accepts the annexation of four Ukrainian regions: Luhansk and Donetsk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizhia in the south.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Kyiv’s idea of driving Russia out of eastern Ukraine and Crimea with Western help was "an illusion".

Meanwhile, the US is reportedly doubling up on efforts to stop Iran from being able to supply drones to Russia.

And Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, has called for further support for his country, saying "peace does not fall from the sky. It has to be fought for."