This video purports to show Russian forces wiping out what the Kremlin said was a stronghold of Ukrainian troops and military equipment in a series of powerful blasts.
A second video purports to show Russian forces destroying a pontoon bridge and preventing enemy soldiers from crossing the Seversky Donets River on the front line.
A third video then shows a convoy of Russian military vehicles traveling along a road as Moscow apparently tries to convince the world its “special military operation” is going to plan.
Zenger News obtained the pieces of footage from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of the Russian Federation.
Along with the first video – which Zenger News obtained on Monday, May 16 – the Russian MoD gave a general update (in English) reading: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
“High-precision air-based missiles of the Russian Aerospace Forces have hit 2 command posts overnight, including the command post of the 72nd mechanized brigade near Tsapovka in Kharkiv Region, 16 areas of manpower and military equipment concentration, 8 long-term firing points and 5 missile and artillery weapon depots near the Krasny Liman in Kharkiv Region, Vladimirovka and Konstantinovka in Donetsk People’s, as well as Berestovoe in Lugansk People’s Republic.
“The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 360 nationalists and up to 78 armored and motor vehicles.
“Operational-tactical and army aviation have hit 3 command posts, 104 areas of manpower and military equipment concentration, and 2 fuel depots.
“Missile troops and artillery have hit 325 areas of manpower and military equipment concentration, 14 command posts and 24 artillery units at firing positions.
“Russian air defense means have shot down 2 Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Yevgenovka, Mykolaiv Region and Velikaya Kamyshevakha.
“In addition, 1 Ukrainian Su-24 aircraft has been shot down near Snake Island.
“10 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including 2 Soviet-made Tu-143 Reis UAVs, have been shot down over Novosvetlovka in Lugansk People’s Republic, Dementievka, Izyum and Malye Prokhody in Kharkiv region, and Donetsk, Vysokoe and Kalinovskoe in Donetsk People’s Republic.
“In addition, 18 rockets of Smerch multiple-launch rocket system have been intercepted near Malaya Kamyshevakha, Snezhkovka, Shpakovka, Ivanovka in Kharkiv Region and Chernobaevka in Kherson Region.
“In total, 168 Ukrainian aircraft and 125 helicopters, 889 unmanned aerial vehicles, 307 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,108 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 381 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,529 field artillery and mortars, as well as 2,949 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation.”
On the second video – obtained by Zenger News on Saturday – the Russian MoD said (also in English): “Footage of destruction of pontoon crossing and AFU units attempting to cross Seversky Donets River.
“During reconnaissance and search operations of a motorized rifle unit of the Russian Armed Forces, a UAV crew detected an AFU unit with infantry fighting vehicles attempting to cross using an induced pontoon crossing.
“Artillery fire completely destroyed the pontoon crossing and sank. The enemy armored vehicles with their crews that had managed to cross on the pontoons were destroyed by Russian artillery fire and infantry fighting vehicle crews during the battle. Some of the AFU armored vehicles were seized by Russian servicemen.”
And on the third piece of footage – which Zenger obtained on May 15, the Russian MoD said (in English again): “Army aviation of the Western Military District escorts military convoys during the special military operation.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is now calling a “special military operation” to “protect Donbass”. May 16, 2022, marks the 82nd day of the invasion.
