This footage reportedly shows a Russian BMP armored vehicle driving over an anti-tank mine in Ukraine’s Donbas region before its crew abandon the vehicle and flee for their lives.
The video shows the Russian BMP – a type of infantry fighting vehicle – driving down a road at speed before it tries to drive into a field between two other BMPs that had already been disabled.
People who appear to be Russian soldiers can be seen to the right of the vehicle already running through the field, apparently fleeing.
Suddenly, the BMP reportedly hits an anti-tank mine, causing a large explosion, with smoke rising into the air.
The BMP immediately comes to a stop as a dozen Russian soldiers quickly leave the vehicle and scamper away as the footage ends.
The images were obtained from the Operational-Tactical Group ‘North’ of the Ukrainian Armed forces on Monday, August 15, along with a statement saying: “Another successful operation by our soldiers in Donbas! The ‘demilitarization’ of the occupiers continues successfully! Believe in your defenders! Victory is ours!”
Operational-Tactical Groups are typically made up of four battalions, according to the Ukrainian military. Battalions can often include up to 1,000 soldiers each.
The images were also relayed by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Zenger News contacted the Operational-Tactical Group ‘North’ for further comment, as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation.” Tuesday marks the 174th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and August 16, Russia had lost about 43,900 personnel, 1,880 tanks, 4,152 armored combat vehicles, 989 artillery units, 263 multiple launch rocket systems, 136 air defense systems, 233 warplanes, 196 helicopters, 790 drones, 190 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,049 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 92 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. The Pentagon said last week that Russia had suffered between 70,000 and 80,000 casualties – deaths and injuries – since the beginning of its invasion.
Both Ukraine and Russia have reported further shelling near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — Europe’s largest — on Monday, August 15. Both sides have blamed each other. A Russian-installed regional official claimed that U.S.-made M777 howitzer heavy artillery strikes had hit near the nuclear power plant but Ukraine said Russian forces had shelled the area to make it look like Ukraine was attacking it.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged world leaders not to “lose to terrorism” or to “give in to nuclear blackmail.”
He added: “If now the world does not show strength and decisiveness to defend one nuclear power station, it will mean that the world has lost.” He also said: “If Russia’s actions cause a catastrophe, the consequences may also hit those who remain silent so far.”
Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the plant’s security situation by telephone on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry has said.
Ukrainian artillery has reportedly hit Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group of mercenaries’ headquarters in eastern Ukraine. Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai has said that the location of the Russian mercenary group’s headquarters was revealed by a Russian journalist, pro-Kremlin Sergei Sreda, who shared a photograph on Telegram of the base apparently showing its address.
Five men, including three from the U.K., one from Sweden and one from Croatia have denied being mercenaries fighting with Ukrainian forces against Russia, in a Russian proxy court. Britons John Harding, Dylan Healy, and Andrew Hill, Swedish citizen Mathias Gustafsson and Croatian Vjekoslav Prebeg appeared before a court – which is not internationally recognized – in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic. Harding, Gustafsson and Prebeg could face death sentences, Russian media have claimed.
The British military is training 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers to handle weapons, to carry out first aid on the battlefield and to conduct urban warfare, with the goal of turning fresh recruits into combat-ready soldiers for the front in weeks. New Zealand, the Netherlands, Canada, Finland and Sweden have also sent military trainers to Britain.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed in a speech at an arms show that Russian weapons are years ahead of its rivals and that the country is prepared to provide its allies with advanced weaponry and work together to develop military technology. One of these weapons systems includes a dog-like robot that carries a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
Putin said that his country believes strongly in its ties to countries in South America, Asia, and Africa and “and is ready to offer our partners and allies the most modern types of weapons, from small arms to armored vehicles and artillery, combat aircraft and drones.”
Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have both said since the beginning of the invasion that Russia desired to work with China, India and Iran, among other countries, to form a new international order that is no longer dominated by the United States.
