This video purports to show a “high-precision” missile slamming into a Ukrainian arms depot before apparently going on to show a Russian warship in the Black Sea launching a salvo of missiles at targets on the Ukrainian coast.
Zenger News obtained the footage from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on July 20.
In its “report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine”, the Russian MoD said: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
“High-precision weapons strikes of the Russian Aerospace Forces against missile and artillery weapons depot of 14th Mechanized Brigade of AFU in Soledar in Donetsk People’s Republic have destroyed 19 units of armored equipment and up to 40 nationalists.
“High-precision weapons of the Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed US-made Harpoon missile launcher near Usatovo, Odessa Region.
“High-precision, long-range sea-based weapons have hit temporary deployment point of 35th Marine Brigade in Dachnoye, Odessa Region, where reservists for the Ukrainian Armed Forces were being trained. More than 60 personnel have been destroyed, as well as more than 10 foreign-made military vehicles.
“As part of counter-battery warfare, 5 platoons of Grad multiple-launch rocket systems of 48th and 58th motorized infantry brigades, 6 artillery platoons of D-20 howitzers and 9 artillery platoons of D-30 mounts in Kurakhovo, Novomikhailovka, Konstantinovka and Georgievka in Donetsk People’s Republic have been neutralized.
“Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery have hit 7 command posts, including units of 63rd Mechanized and 61st Infantry Brigades near Yavkino, Bereznevatoe, Visunsk and Kaluga in Nikolayev Region, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in Verkhnekamenskoye district in Donetsk People’s Republic, and 92nd Mechanized Brigade in Dolzhik district of Kharkov Region.
“8 depots with missile and artillery weapons and ammunition have been destroyed near Paraskoviyivka, Kostyantinovka, Artemovsk, Novovorontsovka in Kherson Region and Ternovatoye in Zaporozhye Region, as well as 2 fuel depots of 54th AFU Mechanized Brigade near Kurakhovo in Donetsk People’s Republic.
“Russian Aerospace Forces’ fighter aviation have shot down 2 Ukrainian air force aircraft in an aerial battle: 1 MiG-29 near Snigirevka, Nikolaev Region, and 1 Su-25 near Dobropol’e, Donetsk People’s Republic.
“Russian air defense means have shot down 4 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Blagodatovka, Yavorskoye, Kharkov Region, and Zugres, Donetsk People’s Republic.
“In addition, 9 projectiles of Uragan multiple-launch rocket system have been intercepted near Vasilenkovo in Kharkov Region, as well as Novoraisk, Krasnosel’skoye, Stepnoye, and Taras Shevchenko in Kherson Region.
“In total, 259 Ukrainian airplanes and 143 helicopters, 1,572 unmanned aerial vehicles, 356 anti-aircraft missile systems, 4,135 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 760 multiple launch rocket systems, 3,166 field artillery and mortars, as well as 4,410 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. July 21 marks the 148th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 20, Russia had lost about 38,750 personnel, 1,700 tanks, 3,905 armored combat vehicles, 856 artillery units, 250 multiple launch rocket systems, 113 air defense systems, 221 warplanes, 188 helicopters, 703 drones, 167 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,775 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 70 units of special equipment.
CIA chief William Burns said on Wednesday (July 20) that there is no intelligence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in bad health or unstable.
It has long been rumored in Western media that President Putin, 69, has been suffering from ill health, possibly cancer.
But Mr. Burns joked that the Russian president appeared “too healthy”, adding: “He is convinced that his destiny as Russia’s leader is to restore Russia as a great power.
“He believes the key to doing that is to recreate a sphere of influence in Russia’s neighborhood and he cannot do that without controlling Ukraine”.
Mr. Burns said the U.S. believes Russia has so far lost around 15,000 soldiers in Ukraine, with some 45,000 wounded.
Washington announced on Wednesday (July 20) that it will provide Ukraine with more long-range weapons.
This was despite an apparent warning from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that such an act would broaden Moscow’s military focus in Ukraine.
A report released on the same day by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights said Russian troops committed serious rights violations in Ukraine.
The Warsaw-based office cited cases including the shelling of a theater in Mariupol in mid-March and of Kramatorsk train station in early April.
Both of these incidents resulted in civilian deaths and may amount to Russian war crimes, said the institution.
The report also detailed witness reports of illegal executions, detentions, abductions, and cases of torture and sexual violence.
