Russia Claims Its 'Grad' MLRS Crews Destroyed Ukrainian Positions

These images show the alleged combat work of Russian soldiers with a 'Grad' rocket launcher.

The footage shows a Russian BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher (MLRS) bearing the white 'Z' symbol' being stationed in a field area and firing at unseen targets in the air.

Russian aerial reconnaissance allegedly discovered the positions of Ukrainian fighters in the "special military zone" and relayed the data to the 'Grad' MLRS crews.

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.

The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 3rd January, along with a statement: "The Grad MLRS battery received data from artillery reconnaissance and unmanned aerial vehicle crews, advanced, took up a firing position and struck at the identified firing positions and targets of Ukrainian nationalists.

"After striking, the Grad MLRS crews leave the firing position, the military personnel load the combat vehicle in spare areas, after which they move to new firing positions to strike at newly identified targets."

The BM-21 Grad is a Russian multiple rocket launcher that was designed in the Soviet Union.

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 314th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 3rd January, Russia had lost about 108,190 personnel, 3,036 tanks, 6,100 armoured combat vehicles, 2,033 artillery units, 424 multiple launch rocket systems, 214 air defence systems, 283 warplanes, 270 helicopters, 1,839 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,735 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 181 units of special equipment.

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

Ukraine's Defence Ministry has claimed responsibility for an attack in Makiivka, a Russian-held city in Donetsk that allegedly killed around 400 Russian soldiers.

The Russian Ministry of Defence 63 soldiers of recently mobilised troops died in the attack on Makiivka when Ukraine hit "a temporary deployment facility" with four US-supplied Himars missiles.

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said it also "successfully" shot down 39 (Iranian-made) Shahed drones, two Orlan-10 drones and a Kh-59 cruise missile.

Russian drones have attacked infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv and the surrounding regions, damaging energy facilities and causing some power outages, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Russia is preparing a drone attack campaign to "exhaust" Ukraine.

"It is probably banking on exhaustion. Exhausting our people, our anti-aircraft defences, our energy," Zelenskyy said in his Monday address.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine's armed forces have shot down more than 80 drones since the beginning of 2023.

The UK Ministry of Defence said Russia's attacks near Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region are unlikely to yield a significant breakthrough in the near future.

And former NATO general Hans-Lothar Domrose said a truce between Russia and Ukraine can be expected during 2023, possibly even in the early months.