Tankers And Infantrymen Prepare To Liberate Ukraine

This is the moment Ukrainian foot soldiers march alongside tank crews as they prepare to battle for the liberation of their land.

The beginning of the footage shows infantrymen walking behind a tank towards a field and holding up their rifles.

They then appear to line up in defensive positions and open fire on unseen targets.

Little by little, they slowly move forwards as they make advance against "the enemy".

Another part of the footage shows tank crews driving past and smiling at the camera while making 'peace' signs with their hands.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the Separate Brigade of Territorial Defence of the city of Dnipro on 5th January, along with a short statement saying: "Our land should be freed - we are preparing together with tankers!"

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 317th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 6th January, Russia had lost about 110,250 personnel, 3,064 tanks, 6,124 armoured combat vehicles, 2,059 artillery units, 431 multiple launch rocket systems, 215 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 272 helicopters, 1,844 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,797 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 182 units of special equipment.

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

The Ministry of Defence of Russia announced a temporary 36-hour-long ceasefire set to last from 6th January at 12am to 7th January at 12pm in a Telegram post late Thursday.

The United States Department of State called the truce announcement during Russian Orthodox Christmas a "cynical" proposition.

US President Joe Biden described the situation as Russian President Vladimir Putin "trying to find some oxygen".

And US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said: "Our concern is that the Russians would seek to use any temporary pause in fighting to rest, to refit, to regroup, and ultimately to re-attack."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russia's order for a ceasefire and called it a trick to slow down Ukraine's defences in the Donbas region.

President Zelensky said: "They now want to use Christmas as a cover, albeit briefly, to stop the advances of our boys in Donbas and bring equipment, ammunition and mobilised troops closer to our positions."

He added: "The war will end either when your soldiers leave or we throw them out."

The White House announced that Germany will join the USA in providing additional Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.

Germany will also be sending armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine, according to an announcement after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with President Biden.

The German Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, said it was a "good decision" for Germany to supply Ukraine with weapons.