This footage reportedly shows a Russian multiple launch rocket system firing a salvo of missiles at Ukrainian targets and intense fighting on the front lines.

The footage shows a BM-21 'Grad' pulling up into a field before cutting to three of the vehicles, apparently in a different field, firing their ordnance.

The images then show what appears to be intense fighting in a forested area, with troops exchanging gunfire. Machine guns can be heard firing before a sniper is seen firing a few rounds.

The footage then shows what appears to be a Russian tank opening fire on unseen targets before a vehicle is shown on fire as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, September 21, along with a statement claiming that the footage shows how the 'crews of the MLRS 'Grad', tank units, as well as assault groups of the Central Military District continue to perform combat missions in the zone of the special military operation.'

The Russian MoD also claimed: 'Combat vehicles of the MLRS 'Grad' deliver missile strikes with 122-mm rockets at enemy positions, then T-72 tanks enter the battle and destroy armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as lightly armoured vehicles of mercenaries.

'Forward reconnaissance groups transmit coordinates for artillery, and sniper pairs conduct covert fire. The task of the assault groups is to capture and block enemy positions with further consolidation on them, and the attack aircraft also use anti-tank guided missiles.'

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a 'special military operation'.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and September 21, Russia had lost about 55,110 personnel, 2,227 tanks, 4,748 armoured combat vehicles, 1,340 artillery units, 318 multiple launch rocket systems, 168 air defence systems, 253 warplanes, 217 helicopters, 932 drones, 239 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,610 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 125 units of special equipment.

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a partial mobilisation of the country's military. The Russian Defence Minister, Sergey Shoigu, has said that about 300,000 reservists will be called up.

Putin accused the West of engaging in nuclear blackmail against Russia and said that Russia has 'lots of weapons to reply" to what he termed Western threats, adding that he was not bluffing.

Putin said Russia would employ all means necessary to defend 'our people' in the Donbas. He has also reportedly ordered an increase in funding to boost the country's weapons production.

World leaders have condemned the announced intention of pro-Russian separatists to hold a vote on annexation by Russia in contested territories.

Proxy Russian authorities in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, said on Tuesday that they plan to hold referendums to join the Russian Federation between September 23 and 27.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said in the early hours of Wednesday, September 21: 'Our position does not change according to this noise or any other announcement.'
Calling the planned referendums a 'sham' and meaningless, he vowed to 'eliminate' the threats caused by Russia and to continue retaking territory.