Russia Says It Has Fires Missiles At Ukrainian Targets Using 'Hyacinth-S'

Russia has said that it has fired missiles at Ukrainian targets using a 'Hyacinth-S' multiple launch rocket system.

The footage begins by showing Russian soldiers preparing the weapon to fire.

It can then be seen firing on unseen Ukrainian positions.

The vehicle can then be seen manoeuvring away to avoid return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, 25th January, along with a statement claiming: "In the course of combat work, the artillery crew of a unit of the Russian Armed Forces discovered a large accumulation of equipment of Ukrainian nationalists and destroyed the target with accurate fire from the 152-mm Hyacinth-S cannon.

"When performing fire missions, the gunners of the Southern Military District interact with crews of unmanned aerial vehicles that reconnoitre enemy positions and correct the accuracy of artillery fire."

The Russian MoD quoted a serviceman of its Armed Forces with the call sign 'Raptor' as saying: “The goal is the accumulation of enemy equipment at a distance of 24 kilometres. There are dense forest plantations, where they all hide."

He added: “Our main task is to cover our infantry units so that they do not open fire on them, with any type of weapon, from infantry fighting vehicles and mortars, to large-calibre artillery. We have a Hyacinth, so it’s mostly counter-battery combat, but the tasks are completely different."

The Russian MoD also quoted a second soldier with the call sign 'Ragnar' as saying: “The command came after the discovery of a cluster of equipment. Pickup trucks appeared, accompanied by infantry fighting vehicles. Naturally, the command was given to suppress.

"After they took up positions, we worked on them. Destroyed three pickup trucks and an infantry fighting vehicle. We work day and night. And now, at the moment, we have worked on the goals. I have a well-coordinated crew, everyone knows their own manoeuvre, and in case of arrivals, the mechanic works out in a timely manner."

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 336th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 25th January 2023, Russia had lost about 123,080 personnel, 3,161 tanks, 6,307 armoured combat vehicles, 2,154 artillery units, 450 multiple launch rocket systems, 220 air defence systems, 290 warplanes, 281 helicopters, 1,902 drones, 749 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 4,967 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.

The United States is reportedly set to begin a process that would eventually result in dozens of its M1 Abrams main battle tanks being sent to Ukraine, according to American media.

The government of US President Joe Biden is reportedly expected to announce a plan that would result in at least 30 of its M1 Abrams tanks being sent to Ukraine.

The revelation comes after reports emerged on Tuesday that Berlin is set to announce that it will send German-made tanks to Ukraine and authorise other countries to do the same.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reportedly decided to send at least 14 of his country's Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and is set to address the German Parliament on the matter today (Wednesday).

Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador to the US, said the move was "another blatant provocation", while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said supplying Ukraine with Leopard tanks would "bring nothing good to the future relationship" between Germany and Russia.

The US and Germany had until now resisted internal and external pressure to send their tanks to Ukraine.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General, said: "At this pivotal moment in the war, we must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his country needed its allies to make a decision about delivering tanks to Ukraine, adding that the issue was not about five, 10 or 15 tanks, as Ukraine's needs are greater, but about reaching long-lasting decisions on deliveries.

Fifteen senior officials in Ukraine have left their jobs since Saturday. Six of them face corruption allegations.

The move is widely seen as being part of Zelensky's push to tackle corruption in Ukraine and is his biggest reshuffle since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country.