Ukraine’s military “crushed” a Russian offensive over the weekend – destroying multiple armoured vehicles – Kyiv has claimed, releasing video footage. It also claims to have shot down two Russian fighter jets this morning.
The footage, shared on social media by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Sunday (February 18), has not yet been independently verified. However, Ukraine’s armed forces say it shows a Russian offensive near Zaporizhia in the South East of Ukraine being “crushed” on Saturday, February 17 – with 18 enemy armoured vehicles and dozens of Putin’s troops being neutralised.
It comes as Russia claims to have made ground in the East of Ukraine, following weeks of fierce fighting around the city of Avdiivka.
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Regarding the fighting near Zaporizhia, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook: “The defense forces in the Zaporizhia direction crushed yesterday’s offensive of the Russians. Destroyed 18 units of equipment (3 of them tanks), about 70 Russian soldiers sent to the concert of Kobzon, 80 order tickets.
“After the onset, the Russians moved to the previous positions. 30 units of equipment and a quite large personnel of the opponent were involved in the offense.”
This morning, Armed Forces of Ukraine Spokesperson Andriy Kovalov said: “In the Zaporizhia direction, the enemy 10 times unsuccessfully tried to attack the positions of our troops in the area of Robotinogo, Zaporizhia region.”
Military analyst War Translated said that the successes showed Ukraine’s military was “back to doing what they know best”.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Estonia-based blogger said: “Russians attempted an assault in Zaporizhzhia yesterday, and were stopped. 18 destroyed vehicles (3 tanks) and 70 dead.
“The operational command ‘West’ did not provide a location, but there were talks about assaults in the Robotyne sector.”
And, in a Facebook post this morning (Monday, February 19), the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shared more news of military successes. General Oleksandr Syrskii: “This morning, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed two russian planes that were attacking the positions of our troops with guided air bombs.
“One Su-34 fighter-bomber and one Su-35S fighter. Thanks for the work!”
“During the past day, there were 80 combat clashes. In total, the enemy carried out three missiles and 43 air strikes, carried out 102 shelling from the volcano fire jet systems on the positions of our troops and settlements.
“As a result of the Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, there are wounded and killed among the civilian population. High-rise and private buildings, as well as other civilian infrastructure objects, were destroyed and damaged.”
