These images purport to show a Russian attack helicopter gunship conducting military operations, with the Russian authorities claiming that they had destroyed Ukrainian targets.
The footage, obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), allegedly shows the helicopter, a Russian Mi-35 gunship, being loaded with ordnance before it takes off.
It can then reportedly be seen flying low somewhere in Ukraine before the images cut to the cockpit and show the aircraft apparently opening fire on unseen targets.
The footage then cuts to an outside view of the helicopter and shows it firing a salvo of missiles before showing the view from the targeting system and cutting to a view of the front of the helicopter.
The footage then appears to show another helicopter firing missiles in front of the Mi-35, but it is currently unclear if it was a Russian or a Ukrainian helicopter.
The Mi-35 helicopter, sporting a white ‘Z’ on its side, can then be seen coming in to land before the footage ends.
The ‘Z’ is one of the symbols, as well as the letters ‘V’ and ‘O,’ that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.
The Mi-35 is the export version of the Mi-24 Russian gunship. It has been called a “flying tank” and often bears the nickname “Crocodile”.
The Russian MoD said in a short statement that the footage shows “the combat work of the crews of the Mi-35 multi-purpose attack helicopters of the Western Military District army aviation during a special military operation.
“As a result of regular combat missions, command posts and armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine units were destroyed.”
An alleged soldier, named only as Nikolay, the crew commander of the Mi-35 helicopter, is quoted in the Russian MoD statement as saying: “Everything that happens in the air, you begin to comprehend only on the ground. And when you work, you just do your combat mission. All military personnel have a dangerous job. We are used to it. We are working. Victory will be ours!”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation.” Today marks the 126th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 29th June, Russia had lost about 35,450 personnel, 1,572 tanks, 3,720 armored combat vehicles, 781 artillery units, 246 multiple launch rocket systems, 103 air defense systems, 217 warplanes, 185 helicopters, 640 drones, 142 cruise missiles, 14 warships, 2,598 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 61 units of special equipment.
Turkey has agreed to support Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership after having initially opposed the countries’ bids to join the military alliance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had met with Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at the NATO summit in Madrid.
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.”
President Joe Biden congratulated the three countries, saying: “Congratulations to Finland, Sweden, and Turkey on signing a trilateral memorandum – a crucial step towards 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.”
The Russian bombing on a shopping mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk has been described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as one of the “most brazen terrorist acts in European history.” Over 1,000 people are said to have been inside the building when it was hit by missiles.
The death toll has risen to 18 people confirmed dead, with another 59 injured and 25 being treated in hospital. Some 36 people are still unaccounted for.
President Zelenskyy has urged the United Nations to visit the site and has urged for Russia to be expelled as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, accusing the country of having become a “terrorist state.”
Russia claimed on Tuesday that it had hit a nearby weapons depot, with the explosion sparking the shopping mall blaze.
NATO is planning to boost its quick reaction forces from 40,000 troops to over 300,000 troops.
