Self-Proclaimed DPR Says It Dropped Drone Bombs On Ukrainian Troops In Donetsk

The pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic has said that it has dropped drone bombs on Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The footage purports to show DPR-operated drones targeting Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield and dropping bombs on them.

The images were obtained from Artem Zhoga, the commander of the 'Sparta' Special Purpose Reconnaissance Battalion of the People's Militia of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on Friday, 6th January, along with a statement claiming: "Work in the area between Pervomaiske and Vodyane. We are watching the entrusted area, we are catching the enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group on their way."

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 321st day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 10th January, Russia had lost about 112,470 personnel, 3,084 tanks, 6,154 armoured combat vehicles, 2,073 artillery units, 434 multiple launch rocket systems, 217 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 275 helicopters, 1,860 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 17 warships, 4,817 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 183 units of special equipment.

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

The United Kingdom is reportedly considering providing Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks. It is the first time that a western country has said that it might supply home-built heavy armour to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia.

Ukraine is reportedly hoping that if the UK goes ahead with the decision, this could help convince Germany to provide it with Leopard 2 battle tanks.

The United States is reportedly thinking about providing Ukraine with Stryker armoured combat vehicles.

Robert Habeck, Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, has said that his country could not rule out providing Ukraine with Leopard tanks in the future.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, has said that Russian forces are attempting to advance in the town of Soledar in the Bakhmut Raion of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Soledar lies to the north-east of Bakhmut. If it were to be captured by Russian forces, this could put pressure on Ukrainian forces, leaving them vulnerable to being encircled and putting Bakhmut at risk.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that both Bakhmut and Soledar are currently holding on in the face of Russian attacks, calling the area “one of the bloodiest places on the front line”.

Ukraine is reportedly reinforcing its positions near Bakhmut after days of Russian attempts to take the area, which have been spearheaded by mercenaries from the notorious Wagner group.

A Russian missile has reportedly hit the market village of Shevchenkove, located south-east of the city of Kharkiv, killing two women and injuring six other people, including a 10-year-old girl, according to regional prosecutors, who said that the attack hit the market in the village on Monday.

There are doubts over Russia’s claims that it killed 600 Ukrainian soldiers in barracks in Kramatorsk, with journalists visiting the area reportedly unable to find any evidence of large-scale casualties. Moscow, however, said that it was confident that its Ministry of Defence was correct in its assessment.