Ukrainian Artillery Destroys Russian Positions As Soldiers Seek Shelter In Dugout And Buildings

These images show Ukrainian artillery destroying Russian military positions and troops as the enemy soldiers seek shelter in a dugout and in various buildings.

The footage shows a number of Russian soldiers running along a dirt road and seeking shelter on the battlefield amidst some destroyed buildings, including in what appears to be a dugout.

The images then cut to Ukrainian artillery opening fire, with the shells seen hitting the Russian positions, including the dugout after some of the soldiers went inside it for shelter.

One soldier, a lone straggler, can be seen making his way to the dugout when an artillery shell lands right next to him, causing him to immediately fall to the ground.

The area continues to be bombarded by Ukrainian artillery, with a Russian soldier then exiting the heavily-bombarded dugout and running towards a building. The dugout continues to be targeted by Ukrainian artillery before a nearby building is hit as well.

Russian soldiers then appear to take shelter in a cluster of other buildings nearby, with the small hamlet then seen being hit by the Ukrainian artillery.

Finally, a group of Russian soldiers can be seen entering another building in their desperate bid to find shelter before that area is also hit.

A farm also appears to be targeted, with farm animals seen running scared as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the 40th Separate Artillery Brigade named after Grand Duke Vytautas of Ukrainian Armed Forces on Monday, 23rd January, along with a statement saying in part: "This is our land! And it will burn under their feet!"

The images and statement were also relayed by Operational Command 'South' of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 335th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 24th January 2023, Russia had lost about 122,170 personnel, 3,152 tanks, 6,284 armoured combat vehicles, 2,148 artillery units, 448 multiple launch rocket systems, 220 air defence systems, 289 warplanes, 281 helicopters, 1,897 drones, 749 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 4,944 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 194 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 German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has said that they could deliver 139 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine if requested. Germany is under intense pressure from Ukraine and some NATO allies including Poland to allow for German-made Leopard 2 tanks to be supplied to Kyiv to help it defend itself against Russian aggression.

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, has said that Germany is not blocking Leopard 2 tank exports. Poland has again said that it is ready to send tanks to Ukraine without consent from Germany.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that his government would request permission from Germany to send Poland’s own Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but said that consent from Berlin was of “secondary importance”. But a spokesperson for the German government has said that Berlin has not so far received such a request from Poland or any other country.

Moscow has warned that Ukrainian people will “pay the price” if Western powers decide to send tanks to Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom has said that Russian forces in Ukraine are continuing to “endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties”.

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has claimed that the Russian government was willing to negotiate with Kyiv in the early months of the war but he said that the United States and other western powers had advised Ukraine against it.

Germany has begun to move its Patriot air defence systems into Poland, near the Ukrainian border, where they are set to be deployed to prevent stray missiles from hitting Polish territory.

Andrey Medvedev, a former commander of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway, has reportedly been detained by the Norwegian police. His lawyer, named as Brynjulf Risnes, reportedly said that his client had been apprehended on Sunday evening after a “strong disagreement” over his living conditions at a safe house.

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has stated that he will not support Sweden’s bid to join NATO after a protest in Stockholm at the weekend included a copy of the Quran being burned. Sweden applied to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine but it needs NATO member Turkey to approve.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, said: “Sweden will respect the agreement that exists between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our NATO membership.”