These images show Ukrainian soldiers shooting a Russian drone out of the sky using an American-made Stinger missile.
The footage begins with the missile being shot into the sky before it apparently hits the Russian drone, causing the Ukrainian soldiers to enthusiastically shout “yes!”
The footage then cuts and shows what appears to be the remains of the Russian drone being recovered by Ukrainian soldiers.
The footage was obtained from the 93rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces – also known as the 93rd Independent Kholodnyi Yar Mechanized Brigade – on Thursday, July 28, along with a short statement saying: “Western weapons in action!
“Today, in the Izyum district, the troops of the 93rd Brigade of Kholodnyi Yar shot down an enemy ‘Orlan-10’. Fighters of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division destroyed the enemy UAV from a distance of three kilometers[1.8 miles]. They fired using an American portable ‘Stinger’ system.
“We destroy the enemy on the ground and in the air! We are clearing the Ukrainian land of the occupiers.”
The Orlan-10 is a Russian military drone used for reconnaissance. The Stinger missile system is an American man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS). The United States has provided hundreds of Stinger missiles to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against the Russian invaders.
The footage and the statement were also relayed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Zenger News contacted the 93rd Mechanized Brigade 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 calling a “special military operation”. Friday marks the 156th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 29, Russia had lost about 40,500 personnel, 1,749 tanks, 3,987 armored combat vehicles, 900 artillery units, 258 multiple launch rocket systems, 117 air defense systems, 222 warplanes, 190 helicopters, 731 drones, 174 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,870 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 77 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine is increasing its effort to retake Russian-controlled regions in the south of the country, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces stating that their planes had struck at least five Russian fortifications near the city of Kherson.
British defense and intelligence officials have said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the country’s south is “gathering momentum”.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk has urged Ukrainian residents in Russian-occupied areas in the eastern Donbas region to evacuate, adding that people risked losing access to “power, water, food and medical supplies, heating and communication” if they remain in the region.
U.S. lawmakers have been told by U.S. officials that over 75,000 Russians are estimated to have been killed or injured in the war so far, but there has been no recent information from the Russian authorities on the number of deaths.
Martin Griffiths, the UN aid chief, is hopeful that the first grain shipment from a Ukrainian Black Sea port could occur as early as Friday.
