Russia Says Its Artillery Has Hit Ukrainian Military Positions With Massive Strikes

Russia has said that its artillery has hit Ukrainian military positions with massive strikes.

The footage begins by showing a piece of Russian artillery being loaded with a shell and opening fire on unseen targets.

Russian soldiers can then be seen reloading the field gun and repeatedly firing on unseen targets.

A multiple launch rocket system vehicle can then be seen firing a salvo of missiles into the air as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday, 30th January, along with a statement claiming: "Artillerymen of the Southern Military District, supporting the offensive actions of motorised rifle and tank units of the Russian Armed Forces, inflict massive strikes on the positions of Ukrainian militants.

"The combat crews of the artillery units of the Southern Military District, supporting the offensive of the Russian troops, continue daily to inflict massive strikes on enemy manpower in open areas and in deep shelters, as well as destroy armoured vehicles, artillery systems and command posts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"To increase combat effectiveness, cannon artillery crews and Tornado-G MLRS operate jointly, supporting units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the offensive. Due to the presence of an automated guidance and aiming system, topographic location and navigation, the Tornado-G crew inflicts fire damage on the enemy in automatic mode.

"Fire correction is carried out by crews of unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced artillery gunners, who reconnoitre enemy positions and correct the accuracy of artillerymen's firing around the clock."

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 341st day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 30th January 2023, Russia had lost about 126,650 personnel, 3,201 tanks, 6,369 armoured combat vehicles, 2,196 artillery units, 453 multiple launch rocket systems, 221 air defence systems, 293 warplanes, 284 helicopters, 1,947 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,041 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 199 units of special equipment.

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

Ukrainian officials have said that Russian missiles targeted a school, hospital, bus station, post office and residential buildings in the city of Kherson on Sunday, leaving three people dead and five injured.

A missile also hit Kharkiv on Sunday, with an apartment building hit, killing one person.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russia’s Wagner mercenary organisation, which the United States has designated as a transnational criminal organisation, have both claimed to control the Blahodatne area in Donetsk.

Ukraine said on Sunday that it had repelled an attack in the area, with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine saying: “Units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces repelled the attacks of the occupiers in the areas of ... Blahodatne ... in the Donetsk region.”

But the Wagner organisation claimed it had taken control of the village.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a top aide to Ukraine’s President, has said that Ukraine and its Western allies are “fast-tracking” talks on equipping Kyiv with long-range missiles and military aircraft.

US officials are reportedly asking the Pentagon to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine so it can defend itself from Russian drones and missiles.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that Germany will not send fighter jets.

Scholz said: “I can only advise against entering into a constant bidding war when it comes to weapons systems.”

The German Chancellor added: “if, as soon as a decision [on tanks] has been made, the next debate starts in Germany, that doesn’t come across as serious and undermines citizens’ confidence in government decisions.”