Russian BMPT 'Terminator' Explodes In Ball Of Flames After Being Hit By Ukrainian Artillery

These images show a Russian BMPT 'Terminator' armoured fighting vehicle exploding in a ball of flames after being hit by Ukrainian artillery with the Ukrainian Marines saying "Hasta la vista, baby!"

The footage shows the Russian war machine on a road in a snowy area before it is suddenly hit by Ukrainian artillery.

After being hit a first time, it can be seen smoking slightly, before eventually being hit again and erupting in a blazing inferno.

The images were obtained from the Marine Corps Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday, 9th February, along with a statement saying: "'Hasta la vista, baby!'

"Soldiers of the 140th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Marines found the Russian BMPT 'Terminator', gave the coordinates to the artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and further adjusted the fire.

"So, we see that this allegedly 'invincible' and 'unique' combat vehicle burns just as well as the rest of the Russian scrap metal.

"Glory to the marines! Glory to Ukraine!"

The images and statement were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 352nd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 10th February 2023, Russia had lost about 135,740 personnel, 3,258 tanks, 6,471 armoured combat vehicles, 2,251 artillery units, 463 multiple launch rocket systems, 233 air defence systems, 295 warplanes, 286 helicopters, 1,970 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,126 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 211 units of special equipment.

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

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that several European Union leaders are prepared to provide his country with combat aircraft.

Zelensky said on Thursday: “Europe will be with us until our victory. I’ve heard it from a number of European leaders … about the readiness to give us the necessary weapons and support, including the aircraft.”

He added: “I have a number of bilaterals now, we are going to raise the issue of the fighter jets and other aircraft.”

The Ukrainian president also urged European leaders to deliver weaponry faster and begin EU membership discussions with Ukraine this year.

A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister said that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was looking into “whether we can provide fighter jets in the future”.

But the UK government also said that it would not send combat aircraft to Ukraine if this created risks to British safety.

Russia has reportedly launched a major new offensive in eastern Ukraine and is attempting a push near the town of Kreminna, according to the Ukrainian Governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai.

Haidai said on Thursday that there had been “maximum escalation”, adding: “So far they haven’t had any success. Our defenders have been able to hold them back completely.”

Russian drones and missiles have hit targets in southern and eastern Ukraine on Thursday night, with Serhiy Lysak, the Ukrainian military administrator for the Dnipropetrovsk region, saying that Shahed drones had been detected in the area.

Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has intercepted Russian secret service plans to destroy Moldova.

Speaking in Brussels to EU leaders, Zelensky said that his services had intercepted evidence that “shows who, when and how was going to break the democracy of Moldova and establish control over Moldova.”

Zelensky said that he had immediately warned his Moldovan counterpart, President Maia Sandu.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said on Thursday that the EU must continue to provide support to Ukraine, saying: “We understand that the coming weeks and months will be of decisive importance.”

He added: “Artillery, munitions, defence systems … you have told us exactly what you need and what you need now.”

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced new sanctions against Russia worth more than EUR 10 billion, which are geared towards targeting propagandists for Russian President Vladimir Putin.