So-Called DPR Shows Off Troops In Action Attacking Ukrainian Positions

These images reportedly show troops from the pro-Russian, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, in action attacking Ukrainian targets.

The footage was obtained from the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on Sunday, 21st August, along with a statement claiming that their “‘Vostok’ Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR” killed an unknown number of Ukrainian soldiers near Vuhledar.

Vuhledar is a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast region.

The DPR added: “The Vostok Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR is one of the elite units of our republic, whose fighters showed themselves [to be] excellent during the assault on Mariupol and in securing the surrender of the Azov militants, now they are operating in the Vuhledar region to cut off the grouping of Ukrainian troops in the Maryinka region from supplies.

“The Vuhledar direction is one of the most important in the military operations to ensure the security of the territory of the DPR.”

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 182nd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 24th August, Russia had lost about 45,700 personnel, 1,924 tanks, 4,243 armoured combat vehicles, 1,036 artillery units, 266 multiple launch rocket systems, 147 air defence systems, 234 warplanes, 199 helicopters, 819 drones, 196 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,160 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 99 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, 49, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on Monday, 22nd August that almost 9,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.

Ukraine is marking 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union today, on Wednesday, 24th August. The United States is reportedly set to announce USD 3 billion in fresh military aid to Kyiv today.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the Ukrainian intelligence services and the country’s allies have information of an increased threat from Russia, with celebrations in Kyiv cancelled. He warned Moscow of a “powerful response” to any attacks on Ukrainian Independence Day.

President Zelensky has vowed to retake Russian-occupied Crimea. He said: “We will return Crimea, because it is our territory. In any way we decide. We will decide it on our own, without consulting any other state.” He added: “It all began with Crimea and it will end with Crimea.”

The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom issued an intelligence update today, on Wednesday, 24th August, in which it said: “Today marks the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Since 2014, President Putin has sought to use a mix of force and coercive diplomacy to increase and solidify Russia’s influence in Ukraine and interfere in its foreign affairs.

“Russia launched a full invasion of Ukraine six months ago, with the aim of toppling the government and occupying most of the country. By April, Russia’s leaders realised this had failed, and reverted to more modest objectives in eastern and southern Ukraine.

“The Donbas offensive is making minimal progress and Russia anticipates a major Ukrainian counterattack. Operationally, Russia is suffering from shortages of munitions, vehicles and personnel. Morale is poor in many parts of its military and its army is significantly degraded. Its diplomatic power has been diminished and its long-term economic outlook is bleak. Six months in and Russia’s war has proven both costly and strategically harmful.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement that it will visit the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant – Europe’s largest – in Ukraine in the coming days, if discussions are successful.

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