This video shows Russian missiles whizzing towards a tract of woodland just a stone’s throw from a residential area in Ukraine as several explosions break out.

A second video opens with aerial footage of howitzers – reportedly sent to Ukraine by the USA – being targeted in a missile strike that sends troops running in panic.

The second piece of footage ends with the howitzers being towed into woodland to go undetected – but in vain, as the area is then pounded by Russian artillery.

Newsflash obtained both pieces of footage from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Russian Federation earlier today (Wednesday, 18th May).

The Russian MoD, in its latest briefing, said (in English): “In Mariupol, militants of Azov nationalist unit and Ukrainian servicemen blocked at the Azovstal plant continue to surrender.

“Over the past 24 hours, 694 militants have laid down arms and surrendered, including 29 wounded.

“A total of 959 militants have surrendered since 16 May, including 80 wounded, of whom 51 need hospital treatment have been admitted to Novoazovsk hospital in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.

“Over a day, high-precision air-based missiles of the Russian Aerospace Forces have hit 2 command posts, including the territorial defence headquarters near Soledar in the Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as 31 areas of concentration of Ukrainian manpower and military equipment, including locations of foreign mercenary units from European countries in Nikolaev and Krasnogorovka.

“In addition, 2 Ukrainian Su-24 aircraft have been destroyed at a military airfield near Dnepropetrovsk, 1 division of Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems near Nikolaev, as well as 4 ammunition depots for missile and artillery weapons and ammunition of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Ugledar, Pokrovskoe, Soledar and Bakhmut, Donetsk People’s Republic.

“Operational-tactical and army aviation have hit 3 command posts, 41 areas of concentration of AFU manpower and military equipment, as well as 1 ammunition depot near Ugledar, Donetsk People’s Republic.

“The attacks have resulted in the elimination of more than 270 nationalists and up to 54 armoured and motor vehicles.

“Missile troops and artillery have hit 76 command posts, 421 areas of manpower and military equipment concentration, as well as 147 artillery and mortar units at firing positions, including 1 Ukrainian battery of US-made 155mm M777 howitzers near Pogornoe.

“1 pontoon crossing point equipped by Ukrainian Armed Forces to cross the Severskyi Donets River has been destroyed near Protopopovka, Kharkov Region.

“Russian air defence means have shot down 1 Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft over Tripolie, Donetsk people’s republic.

“In addition, 1 Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 has been shot down near Kamennaya Yaruga, Kharkov Region.

“15 Ukrainian UAVs have been shot down near Semenovka, Velikie Prokhody, Balakleya, Malye Prokhody, Velikaya Kamyshevakha in Kharkov Region, Rudnichnyi, Grabskoe, Staromikhailovka, Volnoe in Donetsk People’s Republic, Belyaevka, Chernobaevka in Kherson Region.

“8 Ukrainian Smerch multiple-launch rockets have been also intercepted near Kamenka and Malaya Kamyshevakha, Kharkov Region.

“In total, 172 Ukrainian aircraft and 125 helicopters, 927 unmanned aerial vehicles, 311 anti-aircraft missile systems, 3,139 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 389 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,548 field artillery and mortars, as well as 2,997 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation.”

And on the second video, the Russian MoD said (also in English): “In the area of ​​​​the settlement of Podgornoye, Russian crews of unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery reconnaissance equipment have established the coordinates of the firing position of 155-mm M777 howitzers made by the United States, which are used by the militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Operators of unmanned aerial vehicles launched a missile attack on the firing position of a battery of American howitzers, as a result of which several guns were damaged.

“After striking with drones, Ukrainian militants attempted to hide in the forest and hide the towed M777 howitzers there.

“As soon as the Ukrainian militants concentrated tractors and guns in the forest, an artillery strike was launched there.

“All equipment and American howitzers were destroyed. The surviving Ukrainian artillerymen fled.”

The Russian MoD’s latest claims have not been independently verified.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on 24th February and is now in its 84th day.