This footage purports to show a Russian Uragan multiple launch rocket system attacking positions in Ukraine.
The footage shows the large Russian military vehicle, sporting the now infamous white ‘Z’ symbol on its side, maneuvering into position and being loaded with ordnance. 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 vehicle can then be seen maneuvering its missile launcher into place before unleashing a salvo of the deadly weapons, presumably on unseen targets somewhere in Ukraine. The images then show more than one of the vehicles firing ordnance at night before the footage ends.
The Russian MoD claimed in a statement (in English): “Combat operation of Western MD’s [Military District] Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems while carrying out fire missions to destroy AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] positions in the special military operation zone.
“During the special military operation, artillery units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out firing missions to hit artillery AFU batteries, destroy defensive structures, suppress command posts and strongholds, destroy enemy firepower, weapons and military equipment.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
The BM-27 Uragan is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher designed by the Soviet Union. It first entered service in the mid-1970s.
Zenger News contacted the Russian MoD for further comment, as well as the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, 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”. Friday marks the 191st day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and September 2, Russia had lost about 48,700 personnel, 2,009 tanks, 4,366 armored combat vehicles, 1,126 artillery units, 289 multiple launch rocket systems, 153 air defense systems, 234 warplanes, 205 helicopters, 853 drones, 198 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,247 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 105 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
A team of experts from the United Nations’ nuclear energy agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has arrived at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, with its head, Rafael Grossi, saying: “We are not going anywhere. The IAEA is now there, it is at the plant and it is not moving – it’s going to stay there.”
Grossi added: “It is obvious that the plant and physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times.” He also said: “I worried, I worry and I will continue to be worried about the plant until we have a situation which is more stable, which is more predictable.”
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned Moldova that any actions that could be seen as endangering Russian troops in the Transnistria breakaway region, which lies on Ukraine’s south-western border, would be considered an attack on Russia.
Lavrov said: “Everyone should understand that any action that would threaten the security of our troops would be considered under international law as an attack on Russia.”
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency is reportedly investigating allegations that two unnamed senior civil servants might have been spying for Moscow.
The international NGO Human Rights Watch has said that Russian forces have been forcibly transferring Ukrainian citizens to Russia or to parts of Ukraine that they currently occupy, calling the moves “a serious violation of the laws of war that constitute war crimes and potential crimes against humanity”.
