Ukrainian troops are claiming to have sent Russian artillery troops scrambling after blitzing an enemy gun position.

Video footage of the assault shows a series of shattering blasts, understood to be the guns and ammunition exploding.

Eventually, the position goes up in an enormous fireball sending what appear to be ignited shells into the air at random.

Then a series of Russian vehicles evacuate the area at high speed, apparently as the invading forces advance.

Ukraine’s 59th Motorized Brigade – part of the Ukrainian Ground Forces named after Yakov Gandziuk – claimed the destruction of the artillery battery.

The brigade also joked that they are sending the second best army in the world to the bottom of the rankings.

The Ukrainian brigade said in a statement obtained by Newsflash on 15th April: “Good morning Ukraine!

“The Armed Forces continue to confidently lower the ‘second best army in the world’ to the bottom of the rankings.

“The 59th Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Gandziuk is continuing to actively undermine enemy units.”

The brigade added: “Another destroyed Russian artillery battery.

Russia invaded their neighbours Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin called a “special military operation”.

Today marks the 51st day of the invasion. From 24th February to 15th April, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at nearly 20,000 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 756 battle tanks, 1,976 combat armoured vehicles, 366 artillery systems, 115 MLR systems, 66 anti-aircraft systems, 163 warplanes, 144 helicopters, 1,443 vehicles, seven vessels, 76 fuel tank trucks, 135 operational-tactical level UAVs, 25 units of special equipment, and four mobile SRBM systems.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reiterated Berlin’s support to Kyiv after Ukraine rejected a visit by President Steinmeier. Germany has vowed to send more weapons to Ukraine.

The move comes after the US promised a further USD 800 million in weapons, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying that he was “sincerely thankful” to the Americans for their military support.