Ukrainian Drones Ambush Russian Soldiers And Blow Up Their Trenches Near Bakhmut

This is the moment Ukrainian drone operators ambush Russian soldiers in trenches and drop grenades on them near Bakhmut.

In the footage, Russian troopers can be seen attempting to maintain their cover and avoid giving away their positions by moving slowly inside the trench.

Then they attempt to carefully walk inside a protective dugout to remain hidden.

But Ukrainian drone operators manage to spot them and begin dropping grenades into the trench to apparently force the Russians to give themselves away and to later eliminate them.

The images were obtained by Newsflash from the 30th Prince Konstanty Ostrogski Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on 5th January, along with a statement saying: "We destroy the occupants.

"Operators of 30 OMBr drones use very effective tactics - they find enemy positions, shoot them with 1-2 grenades, and then quickly 'cover' their positions."

The footage and statement were also relayed by the Office for Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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.