Ukrainian Attack on Russian Military Equipment Site Caught on Video

A site holding Russian military equipment was reportedly rocked by a series of explosions following artillery strikes by Ukrainian forces.

Zenger News obtained the footage from the elite Ukrainian Air Assault Forces (DShV) - responsible for air assaults and military parachuting operations - on June 30.

The footage starts with several plumes of smoke appearing in quick succession in and around the site and ends with a fire raging as a thick, black cloud rises.

Ukraine attack Russian arms site 1
Ukrainian forces hit the area of concentration of Russian equipment. The footage is from the elite Ukrainian Air Assault Forces (DShV) — responsible for air assaults and military parachuting operations. Zenger/@www.dshv.mil.gov.ua

The DShV said: "The occupiers suffer another loss: DShV and Ukrainian Ground Forces artillery once again 'covered' an area of concentration of enemy equipment.

"As previously reported, the enemy suffered casualties during the destruction of weapons and military equipment in an area of concentration. However, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not give the aggressor time to rest.

"After reconnaissance operations, artillery units of the Air Assault Forces and the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine started a fire on a base of concentration and maintenance of enemy military equipment.

"We continue to perform combat missions and destroy the enemies of Ukraine!

"Death to the Russian occupiers! Together to victory! Glory to Ukraine!"

The DShV did not specify where in Ukraine the strikes took place.

Zenger News contacted the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces for further comment, as well as the Russian Defense Ministry, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation." June 30 marks the 127th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and June 30, Russia had lost about 35,600 personnel, 1,573 tanks, 3,726 armored combat vehicles, 790 artillery units, 246 multiple launch rocket systems, 104 air defense systems, 217 warplanes, 185 helicopters, 641 drones, 143 cruise missiles, 14 warships, 2,602 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 61 units of special equipment.

NATO leaders have called Russia "the most significant and direct threat to allies' security and stability," and announced a new "strategic concept" in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

NATO is planning to boost its quick reaction forces from 40,000 troops to over 300,000 troops.

President Joe Biden also announced that the United States will increase its military forces across Europe.

NATO has also formally invited Sweden and Finland to become members of the alliance. The move comes after Turkey agreed to support Finland and Sweden's NATO membership after initially opposing the countries' bids to join the military alliance, accusing both of harboring Kurdish militants.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at the NATO summit in Madrid and the three countries reached an agreement.

Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, said: "I am pleased to announce that we now have an agreement that paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO." NATO leaders have also pledged additional support to Kyiv, with the aim of modernizing Ukraine's defense sector.

Biden congratulated the three countries, saying: "Congratulations to Finland, Sweden, and Turkey on signing a trilateral memorandum – a crucial step toward a NATO invite to Finland and Sweden, which will strengthen our Alliance and bolster our collective security – and a great way to begin the Summit."

Putin said: "If Finland and Sweden wish to, they can join. That's up to them. They can join whatever they want."

But the Russian leader added: "If military contingents and military infrastructure were deployed there, we would be obliged to respond symmetrically and raise the same threats for those territories where threats have arisen for us."

Ukraine has said that it has completed the biggest prisoner exchange with Russia since the beginning of the war, with 144 of its soldiers released. They include 95 soldiers who defended the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.

This story was provided to Newsweek by Zenger News.

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