A deadly cascade of Russian incendiary shells rains down on a Ukrainian village just days after it was recaptured from the invaders.
The Ukraine Ministry of Defence shared the video of the attack on Donetsk’s Ozerne, which was liberated in a stunning counter-offensive.
The footage shows countless shells hitting buildings and lighting up the streets of the village, which had a population of just over 5,000 before the war.
Yet Ukrainian forces are reportedly advancing east into territory recently abandoned by Russia.
Officials hope this push will pave the way for a potential assault on Russian troops in the Donbas region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “The occupiers are clearly in a panic.”
He stressed he is focused on the pace of the counter-attack: “The speed at which our troops are moving. The speed in restoring normal life.”
Ozerne is a village in the Bakhmut Raion in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine.
The 9M22S shell, typically used by vehicles such as the BM-21 ‘Grad’ multiple launch rocket systems, is designed to be used against flammable targets and personnel.
He may use a video address to the United Nations General Assembly today to urge countries to accelerate weapons and aid delivery. He said: “We are doing everything to ensure Ukraine’s needs are met at all levels – defence, financial, economic, diplomatic.”
Ukraine has regained control of the village of Bilohorivka and is preparing to retake all of Luhansk province from Russian occupiers, Luhansk governor Serhiy Gaidai said.
The village is just six miles west of Lysychansk city, which fell to the Russians after weeks of battles in July.
But Mr Gaidai warned: “There will be fighting for every centimetre. The enemy is preparing their defence. So we will not simply march in.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had extensive talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at a summit in Uzbekistan last week The Turkish leader told US broadcaster PBS that Mr Putin is seeking a swift end to the war and that a “significant step” will be made.
Mr Erdogan said: “He is actually showing me he’s willing to end this as soon as possible. That was my impression, as the way things are going right now are quite problematic.”
