So-Called DPR Shows Off Troops In Action Attacking Ukrainian Positions

Soldiers of the Vostok Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR climb out military vehicle in the Vuhledar direction, Ukraine in undated footage. The Vuhledar direction is one of the most important in the military operations to ensure the security of the territory of the DPR. (@nm_dnr/Zenger).

These images reportedly show troops from the pro-Russian, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, in action attacking Ukrainian targets.

The footage was obtained from the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) on Sunday, August 21, along with a statement claiming that their “‘Vostok’ Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR” killed an unknown number of Ukrainian soldiers near Vuhledar.

Vuhledar is a city in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

The DPR added: “The Vostok Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR is one of the elite units of our republic, whose fighters showed themselves [to be] excellent during the assault on Mariupol and in securing the surrender of the Azov militants, now they are operating in the Vuhledar region to cut off the grouping of Ukrainian troops in the Maryinka region from supplies.

“The Vuhledar direction is one of the most important in the military operations to ensure the security of the territory of the DPR.”

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Zenger News contacted the People’s Militia for further comment, as well as the Ukrainian and Russian Ministries of Defense, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.

Soldier of the Vostok Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR sets radar equipment on the ground in the Vuhledar direction, Ukraine in undated footage. The Vuhledar direction is one of the most important in the military operations to ensure the security of the territory of the DPR. (@nm_dnr/Zenger).

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Wednesday marks the 182nd day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and August 24, Russia had lost about 45,700 personnel, 1,924 tanks, 4,243 armored combat vehicles, 1,036 artillery units, 266 multiple launch rocket systems, 147 air defense systems, 234 warplanes, 199 helicopters, 819 drones, 196 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,160 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 99 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Soldiers of the Vostok Battalion of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the DPR stand among trees in the Vuhledar direction, Ukraine in undated footage. The Vuhledar direction is one of the most important in the military operations to ensure the security of the territory of the DPR. (@nm_dnr/Zenger).

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, 49, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said on Monday, August 22, that almost 9,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.

Ukraine is marking 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union today, on Wednesday, August 24. The United States is reportedly set to announce $3 billion in fresh military aid to Kyiv.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the Ukrainian intelligence services and the country’s allies have information of an increased threat from Russia, with celebrations in Kyiv canceled. He warned Moscow of a “powerful response” to any attacks on Ukrainian Independence Day.

President Zelensky has vowed to retake Russian-occupied Crimea. He said: “We will return Crimea, because it is our territory. In any way we decide. We will decide it on our own, without consulting any other state.” He added: “It all began with Crimea and it will end with Crimea.”

The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom issued an intelligence update today, on Wednesday, August 24, in which it said: “Today marks the 31st anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Since 2014, President Putin has sought to use a mix of force and coercive diplomacy to increase and solidify Russia’s influence in Ukraine and interfere in its foreign affairs.

Picture shows an explosion in a field area in the Vuhledar direction, Ukraine in undated footage. The Vuhledar direction is one of the most important in the military operations to ensure the security of the territory of the DPR. (@nm_dnr/Zenger).

“Russia launched a full invasion of Ukraine six months ago, with the aim of toppling the government and occupying most of the country. By April, Russia’s leaders realized this had failed, and reverted to more modest objectives in eastern and southern Ukraine.

“The Donbas offensive is making minimal progress and Russia anticipates a major Ukrainian counterattack. Operationally, Russia is suffering from shortages of munitions, vehicles and personnel. Morale is poor in many parts of its military and its army is significantly degraded. Its diplomatic power has been diminished and its long-term economic outlook is bleak. Six months in and Russia’s war has proven both costly and strategically harmful.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement that it will visit the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant–Europe’s largest–in Ukraine in the coming days, if discussions are successful.