Ukrainian missile squads are claiming to have taken out a Russian artillery unit as it prepared to shell villages in the south of the country.

Video footage of the strike apparently shows missile raining down on the invaders as they were “preparing to shell peaceful settlements”.

One vehicle can be seen clearly as it is blown up by the attack.

The Ukrainian military said the strike took place in the southern Ukrainian province of Kherson Oblast.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed the Russian unit was preparing to bomb peaceful settlements in the area and was thwarted in its attempts by the defending soldiers.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the morning of 7th April: “In the region of Kherson Oblast, Ukrainian soldiers defeated an occupying artillery unit preparing to shell peaceful settlements.

“Unfortunately, some of the ‘liberators’ were left kicking their heels.”

The Ukrainian military added “let’s win together!” and included the hashtag ‘Stop Russia’.

On 6th April, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Ukrainian soldiers had seized control of the village of Osokorivka, in Kherson Oblast, from occupying Russian troops.

Russian troops invaded neighbouring Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation” in the sovereign European country. Today marks the 43rd day of the invasion.

From 24th February to 7th April, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at nearly 19,000 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 698 main battle tanks, 1,861 combat armoured vehicles, 332 artillery systems, 108 MLR systems, 55 anti-aircraft systems, 150 warplanes, 135 helicopters, 1,358 vehicles, seven vessels, 76 fuel tank trucks, 111 operational-tactical level UAVs, 25 units of special equipment, and four mobile SRBM systems.

The city of Kherson is the only regional capital that Russian troops have managed to seize over the course of the invasion so far.

There have been increasing allegations by Ukraine that Russian forces occupying the city are subjecting civilians to torture and murder.

The Ukrainian state-owned news agency Ukrinform has said that the fate of many civilians in the city and surrounding area remains unknown.

This week has seen Ukrainian forces recapture several towns from the Russians, with scenes of mass killings making headlines around the world.

Many, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin over the alleged atrocities, which have been called “war crimes”.