Russian Troops Conduct Huge Training Exercise In Icy Belarus

This slickly-produced footage purports to show Russian troops conducting training exercises in frosty conditions in Belarus.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said in a statement obtained by Newsflash on 19th December: "Day and night: Russian servicemen conduct combat coordination of units at Belarusian training grounds.

"Russian servicemen, who are part of the regional grouping of troops, continue the course of intensive combat training at the training grounds of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

"Fire is fired from all guns, stunning everything around. The suddenness of the strike is worked out by mortars. Nearby, infantry fighting vehicles enter into a simulated battle, a little further, the crews of T-80 tanks work out the coherence of actions. The sounds of shots from machine guns, machine guns, sniper rifles and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers are heard. So from the very morning until the evening twilight - there is not a single second of silence at the training grounds of Belarus."

Russia famously launched its invasion of Ukraine in February from Belarus, which borders both countries and is said to have a close relationship with Putin's Russia.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 299th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 19th December, Russia had lost about 98,800 personnel, 2,988 tanks, 5,969 armoured combat vehicles, 1,953 artillery units, 410 multiple launch rocket systems, 212 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,657 drones, 653 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,592 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 175 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Kyiv's critical infrastructure was targeted by a wave of Russian military drone attacks early on 19th December.

Some 20 Iran-made drones were deployed to and around Ukraine's capital, with air defence systems destroying about three-quarters of them.

Officials in Kyiv have confirmed that a critical infrastructure point was hit, without giving further details.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine worth GBP 250 million.

It will include "hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition" for use against invading Russian forces.

And officials in Ukraine have dismissed calls for a negotiated peace from former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as "appeasing the aggressor".