These images reportedly show Ukrainian forces destroying a Russian self-propelled gun and its crew in the Kharkiv region.
The footage reportedly shows a Russian 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled gun exploding as it is hit by Ukrainian ordnance.
The footage was obtained from the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Wednesday, August 31, along with a statement saying: “A Russian 2S3 Acacia self-propelled gun was destroyed in the Kharkiv region, together with the crew and ammunition.
“Air reconnaissance of the National Guard, as part of counter-battery measures, found the target, adjusted the fire of the artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and recorded the result of their virtuoso work.
“It will be recalled that 2C3 ‘Akatia’ self-propelled guns have a caliber of 152 mm, as well as a crew of four. It has an effective firing range of 20 kilometers [12.4 miles]. Together we will win!”
The 2S3 Akatsiya is a Soviet-era weapon that is not unlike a light tank and that first entered service in the early 70s.
Zenger News contacted the Armed Forces of Ukraine 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”. Thursday marks the 190th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and August 31, Russia had lost about 48,350 personnel, 1,997 tanks, 4,345 armored combat vehicles, 1,115 artillery units, 287 multiple launch rocket systems, 153 air defense systems, 234 warplanes, 205 helicopters, 851 drones, 196 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,239 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 104 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
An adviser to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Oleksiy Arestovych, has said that the country’s counteroffensive to retake Kherson has neither failed nor stalled. Arestovych said: “The fact that we have not taken Kherson yet does not mean that the operation in the south has stalled or failed.”
Arestovych added: “It is carried out in a planned manner. We destroy enemy logistics, air defense systems, fuel and ammunition depots.” He cautioned Ukrainians to be patient, saying: “There will be no quick wins.” Arestovych also said that the Ukrainian armed forces had hit key bridges to isolate Russian forces on the right bank of the Dnieper River.
The Kakhovsky and Daryiv bridges, which had been used by Russia to transport equipment and ammunition to the region, have now been “disabled”, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
An unnamed U.S. official reportedly said on Wednesday, August 31, that the Russian military is suffering from a severe shortage in manpower in Ukraine and is seeking to recruit personnel from private security companies. Russia is also reportedly conscripting incarcerated convicts to make up the numbers, offering pardons and financial compensation in exchange, still according to the unnamed U.S. official.
Russia has ceased sending gas to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, claiming that repairs are needed. The German government has rejected the claim, labeling it a “pretense”. Gazprom, the Russian state energy firm, said that the halt would last three days from Wednesday.
The European Union has agreed to suspend a visa travel deal with Russia in a bid to limit how many Russian nationals can enter the region for shopping and holidays, but it stopped short of banning tourists outright.
President Zelensky, speaking about the measure, said: “I think it is humiliating for Europe when it is considered as just one big boutique or restaurant.”
He added: “When the citizens of the state that wants to destroy European values use Europe for their entertainment or shopping, for the vacation of their mistresses while they themselves work for the war or to simply silently wait out the immoral fall of Russia.”
