This video montage purports to show a devastating artillery attack destroying several military targets in Ukraine in an imposing display of Russian military might.
The released footage comes as the Russian invading forces gain a swagger in their step following their recent advances in eastern Ukraine.
Zenger News obtained the footage from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of the Russian Federation on May 31.
It shows, among other things, missiles being launched into the sky, targets on the ground exploding in smoke and fire, and fighter jets and rocket systems firing their payloads.
The Russian MoD said (in English): “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
“High-precision air-based missiles have hit two command and control posts of AFU [Ukrainian Armed Forces] battalions, one communications center, as well as 34 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment concentration.
“Operational-tactical and army aviation have hit three strong points and 67 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment concentrations.
“The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 320 nationalists and 47 weapons and military equipment.
“Russian air defense means have shot down 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Severodonetsk, Novochervonoe, Vasilevka of the Lugansk People’s Republic, Panteleimonovka, Grigorovka, Krasnovka, Nevelskoe of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Petrapolie, Petrovskoe, Glinskoe of Kharkov Region, Chornobaevka and Aleksandrovka of Kherson Region.
“In addition, nine Ukrainian Smerch multiple-launch rockets have been intercepted near Malaya Kamyshevakha, Kamenka, Brazhkovka, Glinskoe in Kharkov Region and Chernobaevka in Kherson Region.
“Missile troops and artillery have hit 62 command posts, including those of Operational Command South near Novy Bug, Nikolaev Region, as well as 593 areas of AFU manpower and military equipment concentration and 55 artillery and mortar batteries at firing positions.
“Four BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket launchers, 46 Ukrainian weapons and military equipment, as well as one ammunition depot near Novomikhailovka, Donetsk People’s Republic, have been destroyed.
“In addition, more than 15 Ukrainian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles and five large-caliber artillery mounts have been destroyed as a result of artillery strike on a hangar on the territory of Okean shipyard in Nikolaev city.
“In total, 183 Ukrainian aircraft and 128 helicopters, 1,064 unmanned aerial vehicles, 325 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,323 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 451 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,731 field artillery and mortars, as well as 3,294 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation.”
In recent developments, Russian forces have entered the city of Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast as they continue their attempts to capture the entirety of the eastern Donbas region.
Luhansk Oblast governor Serhiy Haidai said the bombardment of the industrial center was so intense that officials had given up counting the casualties.
Haidai added that 60 percent of buildings in the city had been damaged beyond repair.
