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A Russian armored vehicle inexplicably drove straight over a highly visible landmine and was predictably blown up in the latest example of Putin’s troops’ incompetence.
Aerial footage shows the MT-LB vehicle creeping slowly toward the scattered TM-62 anti-tank mines along a Ukrainian road without noticing the explosives.
Once it makes contact with the mine, a huge fireball erupts, ripping the armored vehicle apart and catapulting debris into the air in a cloud of smoke.
Aerial footage shows the MT-LB vehicle slowly creeping towards the scattered TM-62 anti-tank mines
Once it makes contact with the mine, a huge fireball erupts, ripping the armored vehicle apart
The vehicle was predictably blown up in the latest example of the sheer incompetence of Putin’s troops
The grenade-shocked driver is then seen sitting on the scorched earth and looking around in bewilderment next to the smoking wreckage.
He then packs up his things and walks away with his tail between his legs after the embarrassing episode.
Retired soldier Mark Hertling said of the footage: “Anti-armor mines are usually buried. Armored vehicle drivers are not allowed to see them.
‘When you ‘see’ them, you have to ‘move’ them or ‘avoid’ them. Trained soldiers are not allowed to drive over it.
“It reinforces the point: Russian soldiers are not well trained.”
The MT-LB is an amphibious Soviet armored fighting vehicle that has been in use since the 1950s.
The shell-shocked driver is then seen sitting on the scorched earth looking around in bewilderment next to the smoking wreckage
He then packs his things and walks away with his tail between his legs after the embarrassing episode
The MT-LB is an amphibious Soviet armored fighting vehicle in use since the 1950s
It can carry three crew members in the front and 11 passengers in the rear or a payload of up to 2,000 kg.
Putin continues to suffer damaging blows in his war effort, with huge losses to infantry and equipment during his failed invasion.
Yesterday, Ukrainian troops shot down four Russian helicopters in just 18 minutes.
The Ministry of Defense and the Kyiv Air Force both confirmed the downing of the plane on its social media pages, celebrating a “productive morning, Ukrainian style.”
The helicopters – believed to be Soviet-era KA-52 models – were shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile units in southern Ukraine, where Kiev forces are making territorial gains in territory illegally occupied by Russian forces.
The Ministry of Defense and the Kyiv Air Force both confirmed the downing of the plane on its social media pages, celebrating a “productive morning, Ukrainian style.” Pictured: An illustration posted on Wednesday by the Kiev Ministry of Defense announcing the strikes
The military said units targeted two more helicopters in the region around the same time, which could further increase the number of planes destroyed.
“From 8:40 a.m. to 8:58 a.m., Air Force anti-aircraft missile units in southern Ukraine destroyed at least four enemy attack helicopters (probably Ka-52) on October 12, which provided fire support to the ground occupation. troops heading south,” the Air Force said in a message to its Telegram channel.
“According to preliminary data, one helicopter fell on the area liberated from militants, the rest – behind the [Russian] front line.
“Combat work has been done on two more helicopters, so there is a good chance the number of confirmed downed helicopters will increase! Glory to Ukraine! Death to the racist occupiers!’ added the message.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense celebrated the destruction of the KA-52 ‘Alligators’ – a two-seat variant of the Soviet-era KA-50.
‘Productive morning, Ukrainian style. Today, in just 18 minutes, #UAarmy soldiers shot down 4 Russian helicopters ruining the beautiful autumn sky in southern Ukraine,” the post said.
“There’s no room for alligators here. The local climate is hostile to them,” it added.
According to the latest estimates from the Armed Forces General Staff, Russia had already lost 235 helicopters before the four were destroyed today.
The helicopters, believed to be Soviet-era KA-52 models, were shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile units in southern Ukraine, where Kiev’s forces have made gains on previously occupied Russian territory. Pictured: A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter is seen in the field after an emergency landing outside Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, February 24, 2022 (file photo)
In addition, Russia claims to have lost 63,380 troops, 2,505 tanks, 5,181 armored fighting vehicles, 1,507 artillery units, 355 multiple missile systems, 182 air defense systems, 268 combat aircraft, 1,129 drones, 315 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,927 motor vehicles. and fuel tankers, and 136 units of special equipment.
In response to Saturday’s heavy blows and explosion at the Crimean Bridge, Putin has unleashed anger on Ukraine and fired Iranian-made kamikaze drones at the capital early today.
The strike in Kiev sent rescue workers quickly to the scene as residents were awakened by air-raid sirens for the fourth consecutive morning after Russia’s major strike across the country earlier this week.
Kiev regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba said the strike was taking place in the area around the capital. It was not yet clear whether there were any casualties.
Deputy head of the presidential office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said on Telegram that “critical infrastructures” in the area have been affected, without giving details on which ones.
A view of a damaged tank after the village of Mala Komyshuvakha was recaptured by Ukrainian troops
Rescuers work on the site of an apartment building damaged by a Russian military attack as the Russian attack on Ukraine continues in Mykolaiv
In the southern city of Mykolaiv, shelling last night destroyed a five-storey apartment building as fighting continued along Ukraine’s southern front.
The mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkovych, said the top two floors of the building were completely destroyed in one fell swoop and the rest of the building was in ruins. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
Early morning attacks on Ukraine’s southern front have become a daily occurrence in the war in Russia as Kiev forces launch a counter-offensive to retake Moscow-occupied territory.
Attacks on Kiev had become rare before the capital was hit at least four times in Monday’s massive strikes, which killed at least 19 people and injured more than 100 across the country.
Western leaders pledged to send more weapons to Ukraine this week, including air defense systems and weapons that Kiev said are critical to defeating the invading Russian forces.
Britain said Thursday it will provide missiles for advanced NASAM anti-aircraft systems that the Pentagon plans to send to Ukraine in the coming weeks. It also sends out hundreds of additional drones for intelligence gathering and logistical support, plus 18 more howitzer artillery guns.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said “these weapons will help Ukraine defend its airspace from attack and bolster their overall missile defenses alongside the US NASAMS.”
The systems, which Kiev has long desired, will provide medium to long-range protection against missile attacks.
The offer comes at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses after Monday’s widespread Russian attack.
The Ukrainian military said this week that its current air defenses have shot down dozens of incoming Russian missiles and Shahed-136 drones, the so-called kamikaze drones that have played an increasingly deadly role in the war.