Ukrainian gunners destroyed two Russian howitzers, as can be seen from this dramatic footage.
The video begins by showing what appear to be Russian military vehicles hiding in a forested area before they are repeatedly hit by Ukrainian ordnance.
They eventually explode in a large fireball, with a plume of black smoke rising into the air as the footage ends.
It is unclear where exactly in Ukraine the images were filmed, but they were obtained from the Command of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Monday, July 18, along with a statement saying: “Artillerymen of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces and the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed two units of 152-mm self-propelled howitzers.
“Soldiers of the artillery units of the Airborne Assault Forces and the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to destroy the Russian invaders in close cooperation.
“Thus, the video recorded how defenders of Ukraine destroyed two units of 152-millimeter self-propelled 2S19 Msta howitzers.
“The hunt for priority enemy targets continues! We continue to carry out combat missions and destroy the enemies of Ukraine!
“Death to the Russian invaders! Together to victory! Glory to Ukraine!”
The 2S19 Msta is a self-propelled howitzer that was originally designed by the Soviet Union and which entered service in 1989.
We contacted the Command of the Airborne Assault Troops for further comment, as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense, but haven’t received a reply at the time of writing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. July 19 marks the 146th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 19, Russia had lost about 38,550 personnel, 1,691 tanks, 3,892 armored combat vehicles, 851 artillery units, 248 multiple launch rocket systems, 113 air defense systems, 220 warplanes, 188 helicopters, 693 drones, 167 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,767 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 70 units of special equipment.
Six people have been killed by Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian town of Toretsk, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed a new acting head of domestic security after he dismissed Ukraine’s previous head of the security service and its prosecutor general, amid claims that some of their staff have been “working against” the country in territories currently occupied by Russia.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, has met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Zelenska is embarking on a series of appearances in Washington D.C. and is set to meet the U.S.’ First Lady Jill Biden.
Ukrainian military officials have said that Russia is preparing the next stage of its invasion after Moscow said that its forces in Ukraine will increase military activities in “all operational areas”.
Ukraine has said that Russia appears to be preparing its forces for an attack on the city of Sloviansk, in the eastern region of Donetsk.
The Russian majority state-owned energy company Gazprom told its European customers that it cannot guarantee gas supplies due to “extraordinary” circumstances.
Turkey has said that a resumption of Ukraine’s grain exports via the Black Sea is “probable” following a meeting with Ukraine, Russia and the United Nations to discuss “small problems”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again threatened to block Sweden and Finland’s bids to join NATO unless his conditions are met.
EU foreign ministers have agreed to a 500-million euro ($510 million) funding package to supply weapons to Ukraine, bringing the total since February to 2.5 billion euros($2.55 billion). EU foreign ministers are also reportedly discussing a ban on the import of Russian gold.
