Russia Says It Destroyed Ukrainian Positions With Self-Propelled 'Akatsiya' Howitzers

Russia has said that it has destroyed Ukrainian military positions using self-propelled 'Akatsiya' howitzers, as these images purport to show.

The footage begins by showing one of the Russian war machines driving at speed, presumably moving into position. The video then cuts to howitzers apparently opening fire on unseen Ukrainian positions.

The images show how one of the self-propelled howitzers has been camouflaged using tree branches.

The video ends by showing Russian howitzers apparently manoeuvring to different locations to avoid return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, 12th January, along with a statement claiming: "The crews of self-propelled 152-mm artillery mounts 2S3 "Acacia" of the Central Military District (TsVO) daily destroy the positions, equipment and manpower of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"The servicemen are competently approaching the camouflage of positions for live firing, which allows them to strike at the enemy as unexpectedly as possible for him.

"The accurate fire of howitzer batteries is corrected by unmanned aircraft operators and groups of advanced artillery spotters. The totality of these factors makes it possible to preserve valuable military property and the health of the personnel of subunits when inflicting damage on the enemy.

"The crews are staffed not only by contract servicemen, but also by volunteers who successfully carry out combat missions. After hitting the targets, the personnel of the battery leave their positions and take cover in the dugouts."

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 323rd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 12th January, Russia had lost about 113,390 personnel, 3,094 tanks, 6,159 armoured combat vehicles, 2,082 artillery units, 437 multiple launch rocket systems, 218 air defence systems, 285 warplanes, 276 helicopters, 1,865 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.

A spokesperson for 10 Downing Street has reportedly confirmed that the British government is planning to provide tanks to Ukraine to help the country defend itself from Russian aggression.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the spokesperson reportedly said that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had asked Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to “work with partners” to give Ukraine further support “including the provision of tanks”.

The spokesperson added: “It’s clear that battle tanks could provide a game-changing capability to the Ukrainians.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda said in Lviv on Wednesday that Poland plans to send 10 German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Kyiv has repeatedly requested the provision of main battle tanks from its Western allies.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, whose country currently holds the European Union rotating presidency, has said that the EU is “prepared for a long war” and that the union would support Ukraine against Moscow's aggression for “as long as it takes”.

Zelensky has urged NATO to take “powerful steps” towards allowing Ukraine to join the military alliance.

After talks with the President of Lithuania and Poland in Lviv on Wednesday, Zelensky said: “For today, just support for Ukraine from colleagues in NATO and support in the form of rhetoric about open doors is not enough for Ukraine. Namely, not enough to motivate our state… our soldiers.”

The Ukrainian president added: “We need steps forward… we are looking forward to powerful steps, we are counting on something more than just open doors.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russian claims that they have taken the eastern city of Soledar and has said that fighting is ongoing.

Zelensky said that “the terrorist state [Russia] and its propagandists are trying to pretend” that they have achieved victory in Soledar but he added that “the fighting continues”.

Ukraine’s military also denied that Russian troops had captured the city. This comes after the head of the Wagner mercenary organisation claimed that the mining town had fallen.

Russia has appointed Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, as its overall commander for the war in Ukraine. He is replacing the latest commander, Sergey Surovikin, who is now one of his three deputies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said during a televised meeting with officials that the situation in Ukrainian regions that Moscow claimed to have annexed in September, in a move that has widely been deemed illegal, was “difficult in places”.

A Russian conscript named as Alexander Leshkov has reportedly been sentenced to five and a half years in prison after arguing and shoving Lieutenant Colonel Denis Mazanov over poor trading conditions at training grounds outside the Russian capital Moscow.

It is reportedly the first known ruling against a soldier who criticised the Russian regime’s unpopular mobilisation move.