Graphic video shows the moment Russian troops fire a flurry of rockets at Ukrainian targets.
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on June 6 that they successfully destroyed the enemy targets with the BM-21 ‘Grad’ – a self-propelled 122-mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the former Soviet Union.
In the Kremlin-released footage, Russian soldiers are seen arriving in a field in the vehicle before firing a volley of rockets at the Ukrainian targets.
At the end of the footage, the troops are seen packing away and leaving the field. While the vehicle trundles away, numerous birds happily chirp in the background despite the noise of the rocket fire allegedly moments before.
Unit commander Mikhail claimed: “Grad MLRS work was carried out and the crew did an excellent job, the targets were hit.”
“The crew is well trained, they work efficiently and do everything quickly. I am very satisfied with my team,” Mikhail added.
We contacted Russian and Ukrainian officials for comment but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation.” June 6 marks the 103rd day of the campaign.
From February 24 to June 6, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 31,250 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,386 tanks, 3,400 armored fighting vehicles, 690 artillery systems, 207 multiple launch rocket systems, 96 anti-aircraft systems, 211 warplanes, 176 helicopters, 2,395 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 551 unmanned aerial vehicles, 53 units of special equipment, and 125 cruise missiles.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communications (StratCom) claimed on June 6 that Russian Major General Roman Kutuzov was killed in a battle near Popasna in the Luhansk region.
StratCom said: “Exclusive. Meet. Commander of the DNR’s 1st Army Corps (of the orcs), Major General Roman Kutuzov has been officially denazified and demilitarized”.
In related news, the United Kingdom has announced that it is sending its long-range missiles to Ukraine for the first time.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of more attacks in Ukraine if the West sends long-range weapons.
Last week, the Russian MoD said that its Yars mobile missile systems, which can carry nuclear warheads and which boast a reported range of over 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles), were performing “intensive maneuvering operations on combat patrol routes in the Ivanovo Region”, east of the Russian capital Moscow.
