The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), on Monday, September 5.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), on Monday, September 5.
This footage reportedly shows Russian attack helicopters and fighter jets taking part in the wargames of China.
A first piece of footage shows some of the Russian helicopters taking off from an undisclosed location before dropping ordnance on mock targets. They can then be seen returning to base.
The second piece of footage shows some of the Russian fighter jets taxiing on a runway before taking to the skies, where they too opened fire on a mock enemy before returning to base.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), on Monday, September 5, along with a statement saying: “The helicopter crews of the army aviation of the Eastern Military District worked out the tasks of covering the landing of tactical assault forces as part of the Vostok-2022 maneuvers.
“In order to prevent the approach of the reserves of the mock enemy, the crews of the Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ and Mi-24 helicopters attacked columns and concentrations of enemy manpower with unguided missiles, ensuring the landing of air assault units from Mi-8 transport and combat helicopters.”
The Russian MoD also said: “The crews of the Su-25SM3 aircraft of the operational-tactical aviation of the Eastern Military District within the framework of the maneuvers “Vostok-2022” worked out the tasks of air support for troops at the Sergeevsky training ground.
“After conducting additional reconnaissance of objects and opening the air defense of a mock enemy, which was carried out by a pair of Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft, the coordinates of the targets were received by a link of Su-25SM3 attack aircraft.
“The crews flew to the designated area and launched a missile and bomb attack on the anti-aircraft missile systems of the imaginary enemy at the starting positions.
“During the mission, attack aircraft pilots practiced avoiding anti-aircraft missiles of a mock enemy.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
There has been speculation that diplomatic relations between Russia and China are improving amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
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”. Monday marks the 194th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and September 5, Russia had lost about 49,800 personnel, 2,068 tanks, 4,459 armored combat vehicles, 1,157 artillery units, 294 multiple launch rocket systems, 156 air defense systems, 236 warplanes, 206 helicopters, 867 drones, 205 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,286 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 107 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Sunday, September 4, that Ukraine had made progress in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, retaking two settlements in the south of the country and a third one in eastern Ukraine.
President Zelensky said: “The Ukrainian flags are returning to the places where they should be by right.”
Russian authorities said that the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is Europe’s largest, was calm on Sunday, September 4.
This comes after UN inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday, September 3, that the Russian-occupied plant, in southern Ukraine, had lost external power again.
The IAEA said in a statement that the last remaining primary external power line had been cut off, although a reserve line is continuing to supply electricity to the grid.
President Zelensky has warned Europe to expect a difficult winter after Russia shut down a main pipeline that supplies Russian gas to the continent. He said: “Russia is preparing a decisive energy blow on all Europeans for this winter.”
Russian energy company Gazprom had said on Friday evening that it was shutting down the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany indefinitely, after first halting the flow of gas for three days. Gazprom has blamed the move on “malfunctions”.
The move also came hours after G7 countries agreed to impose a price cap on Russian oil.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has thanked Germany for its solidarity in the face of the Russian invasion. But he added that Ukraine needs more weapons, including “modern combat tanks”.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday, September 4, that the German government had been planning for a complete halt in gas deliveries from Russia in December. He has promised measures to lower prices, with Germany announcing a $64-billion package to tackle rising costs.
