Russians Show Off Radar System Amid Claims It Helped Destroy Artillery
Russian defence chiefs have released this slickly-produced propaganda video showing how a counter-battery radar system allegedly helped destroy Ukrainian artillery near Lyman. The footage shows operators of a Zoopark-1M counter-battery radar system at work. After the system detects ground targets within a 40-kilometre range, two Msta-S self-propelled howitzers can be seen firing into the sky from a clearing in an area of woodland The footage then cuts to a zoomed-out aerial shot of explosions breaking out in another area of woodland. Russian defence chiefs claim Ukrainian artillery was destroyed in the strikes. However, we have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage. Newsflash obtained the footage from the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation on 27th July, along with a statement saying: "Artillery crews of the Central Military District (CMD) together with the crew of the upgraded artillery reconnaissance system 'Zoopark-1M' destroyed artillery of Ukrainian militants as part of counter-battery combat in the Krasno-Limansk area. "During the execution of the combat mission, personnel of the 'Zoopark-1M' system determined the coordinates of the mortar teams and the firing positions of enemy tanks along the trajectory of the projectile flight. The data of the discoveries were promptly transmitted to the command post of our batteries participating in the 'artillery duel'. The coordinated work of the 152mm 'Msta-S' crews and the artillery scouts allowed for swift detection and suppression of the nationalists in the forested areas, even when camouflage measures were employed. The target damage control and fire adjustment were carried out by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) teams. "The CMD command highlights the high efficiency of the artillery units' work, as they accomplish their assigned combat tasks in any combat conditions." Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 519th day of the full-scale war. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 27th July 2023, Russia had lost about 244,270 personnel, 4,186 tanks, 8,147 armoured combat vehicles, 4,745 artillery units, 698 multiple launch rocket systems, 457 air defence systems, 315 warplanes, 311 helicopters, 3,996 drones, 1,347 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 7,229 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 708 units of special equipment. Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures. Two people have been killed in Russian attacks on Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, and Russia has also attacked the Ukrainian regions of Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi and Kirovohrad with missiles, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine's domestic intelligence agency has taken responsibility for a sabotage operation that caused damage to the Russian-made bridge connecting occupied Crimea with Russia in October. Following Russia's termination of the UN-brokered grain shipments deal, the NATO-Ukraine Council has convened to discuss the situation in the Black Sea region. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has officially excluded Russia and Belarus from the list of countries formally invited to participate in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. The White House has reported that a Russian aircraft violated established protocols and international norms by flying "dangerously close" to a US drone over Syria earlier this week. The US Department of Defense has announced an additional USD 400 million in security assistance for Ukraine, which includes air defence missiles, armoured vehicles, and small drones.
