So-Called DPR Claims Russian Artillerymen Destroyed Ukrainian Positions Near Svatove

These images purport to show Russian soldiers striking Ukrainian positions using a Giatsint-B artillery gun.

The Russian soldiers allegedly headed to combat after aerial reconnaissance discovered Ukrainian positions near Svatove, Luhansk region.

The footage appears to show them stepping out of a 'Z'-daubed vehicle and unloading military equipment in a field area.

The 'Z' is one of the symbols, as well as the letters 'V' and 'O' that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

Soldiers appear to unpack Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the middle of the field as they allegedly prepare for combat.

Then they seemingly direct the fire of a Giatsint-B gun towards unseen targets in a forest.

The 2A36 Giatsint-B is a Russian towed field gun with a long 152-millimetre barrel.

The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the People's Militia of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on 29th December, along with a statement: "The calculation of the UAV 'Orlan-10' 2 Army corps directs artillery of the Russian Armed Forces in the Svatove direction.

"Report by the press service of the NM DPR on the joint combat work of the crew of the Orlan-10 2 Army corps and crews of 152-mm guns 2A36 'Hyacinth-B' of the 238th artillery brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.

"Thanks to the adjustment from the UAV, the artillerymen with well-aimed fire covered the area where the enemy forces were concentrated, which suffered losses."

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 310th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 30th December, Russia had lost about 105,250 personnel, 3,026 tanks, 6,059 armoured combat vehicles, 2,010 artillery units, 423 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 268 helicopters, 1,740 drones, 711 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,683 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 180 units of special equipment.

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

Residents of Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, have been urged to head to air raid shelters as sirens were going off across the city as Russia's aerial assaults shook the country.

The city's military administration reported that five Shahed drones entered Kyiv’s airspace, and debris from one struck an administrative building in the Holosiiv district.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said air defences in Ukraine repelled 54 Russian missiles and 11 drones.

Russian forces are said to have primarily struck infrastructure facilities, in the Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions causing widespread disruptions to energy, heating, and water supplies.

More than 18 residential buildings and 10 critical infrastructure installations were reportedly destroyed during the wave of Russian missile strikes.

Many Ukrainian regions are suffering power outages, with the situation being "especially difficult" in Kyiv, Odesa and Kherson, according to President Zelenskyy.

And Belarus' Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down a Ukrainian S-300 missile in a field in Russia's latest attacks on Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden signed a USD 1.7 trillion (GBP 1.4 trillion) spending bill that includes emergency support for Ukraine.

The UK said it has given Ukraine more than 1,000 metal detectors and 100 kits to deactivate bombs to help clear minefields in a bid to provide military support for the country in the conflict with Russia.

Britain's Defence Minister Ben Wallace said the UK would grant GBP 2.2 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2023.