Huge Blast As Ukrainian Forces Blow Up Russian Artillery Cannon In Bakhmut Suburbs

These images show a huge blast as Ukrainian forces blow up a Russian artillery cannon in the suburbs of Bakhmut.

The footage reportedly shows a Russian 120 mm self-propelled 2S9 'Nona' artillery gun being obliterated in a huge explosion, with smoke rising into the air.

The images obtained from the Rapid Response Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine on Wednesday, 25th January, along with a statement saying: "Spectacular destruction of a Russian 120 mm self-propelled 2S9 'Nona' artillery gun together with its ammunition.

"Direct damage was carried out by artillery operated by Rapid response teams of the National Guard of Ukraine in the Bakhmut area. The enemy will be destroyed!"

The images and statement were also relayed by the National Guard of Ukraine.

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.