This Russian MoD footage shows troops carrying out ‘special military operations’ in Msta self-propelled howitzers able to inflict maximum damage to Ukrainian fortified positions.

Today marks the 100th day of Russia’s so-called special military operation.

The Russian military said troops used 2S19 Msta 152.4-mm self-propelled howitzers designed by the Soviet Union to blast Ukrainian targets.

The MoD said the howitzers pack a punch and can strike at distances up to 30 kilometres with no preliminary preparation needed before arranging them in position to fire.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 3rd June: “This footage shows combat work of crews of 152-mm ‘Msta-S’ self-propelled howitzers when performing firing operations to destroy armoured vehicles and fortified positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Fire is conducted at ranges up to 30 kilometres both from closed firing positions and direct fire without preliminary preparation of the positions.

“High-explosive projectiles are used to destroy fortifications, which allow inflicting maximum damage to them, including deep concrete enemy fortifications.”

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 100th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 2nd June, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 30,850 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,363 tanks, 3,354 armoured fighting vehicles, 661 artillery systems, 207 multiple launch rocket systems, 95 anti-aircraft systems, 210 warplanes, 175 helicopters, 2,325 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 521 unmanned aerial vehicles, 51 units of special equipment, and 120 cruise missiles.

Analysts say over 70 per cent of the city of Sievierodonetsk is now controlled by invading Russian forces, with almost all critical infrastructure and housing destroyed.

The Russian MoD said in a statement on 1st June that its Yars mobile missile systems, which can carry nuclear warheads and which boast a reported range of over 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles), were performing “intensive manoeuvring operations on combat patrol routes in the Ivanovo Region”, east of the Russian capital Moscow.

This comes after United States President Joe Biden said he will send Kyiv more advanced rocket systems that will help to strike enemy forces from a longer distance. These rocket systems have double the range of the rocket systems used by Russian forces and are said to be much more accurate.