Ukrainian Soldiers Learn To Use 82-mm Mortars Ahead Of Deployment To The Battlefield

These images show Ukrainian soldiers learning to use 82-mm mortars before they are deployed to the battlefield to take on the invading Russian forces.

The video shows the Ukrainian soldiers being instructed on how to use the mortars. They can be seen setting up the devices, handling the ammunition, and eventually firing them at mock enemy targets.

The images were obtained from the State Border Service of Ukraine on Tuesday, 10th January, along with a statement saying: "The units of the State Border Service of Ukraine, which maintain the defence in the east, are being strengthened.

"The other day, the border guards held a class on using an 82-mm mortar. Combat work with a mortar was taught to soldiers by instructors - experienced artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"During the exercises, servicemen practised aiming, loading and firing from a mortar."

A soldier taking part in the training and identified only by the call sign 'Rondo' reportedly said: "I am sure that this training of our specialists will be a direct impetus for the movement of our troops forward and only forward."

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 322nd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 11th January, Russia had lost about 112,960 personnel, 3,094 tanks, 6,159 armoured combat vehicles, 2,078 artillery units, 437 multiple launch rocket systems, 217 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 275 helicopters, 1,862 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 17 warships, 4,826 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 184 units of special equipment.

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

The leader of the Russian mercenary organisation Wagner has claimed that his forces have taken control of the Ukrainian town of Soledar.

Yevgeny Prigozhin said: “Wagner units have taken the whole territory of Soledar under control.”

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the "heroic" defenders of the town but did not provide any new information about the military situation on the ground.

US and Ukrainian officials have said that Russia's artillery fire has dropped by up to 75 per cent in some places on the battlefield, indicating a weakening of the Russian position in the conflict.

Western officials have said that Ukraine cannot retake significant swathes of territory from Moscow without a boost to its military capability, including tanks.

One Western official said on Tuesday that the Russian and Ukrainian forces are too closely matched for Kyiv to be able to launch a major offensive.

They said that a request from Ukraine for 300 tanks was “not an unreasonable number” in order to be able to launch an offensive against Russia’s forces.

US officials have said that Ukrainian troops are to begin training to use the Patriot missile system in the US as early as next week.

The training programme is reportedly expected to take “several months”.