Russia's UR-77 'Meteorit' Minesweeper Obliterated in FPV Strike: Video

Ukraine has taken out one of Russia's UR-77 minesweepers in eastern Ukraine, according to a new clip, in the latest dramatic drone footage from the frontlines.

A video shared by Ukraine's 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade on Tuesday appears to show Ukrainian first person view (FPV) drones targeting the Russian mine-clearing vehicle around the Donetsk town of Avdiivka.

In the footage, a Ukrainian drone locates the minesweeper, and the first-person view shows an uncrewed aerial vehicle heading directly towards the Russian equipment. The video then cuts to a shot of what appears to be the drone hitting the minesweeper, followed by shots of the vehicle burning before a larger explosion.

Ukraine frequently shares clips filmed by drones, purporting to show the destruction of Russian equipment and targeting of Moscow's positions. But Newsweek could not independently verify when, or where, this footage was filmed, and has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.

The UR-77 "Meteorit" is a Soviet-era mine-clearing vehicle built on a self-propelled howitzer chassis, and has a launcher and two mine-clearing line charges, according to the U.S. military. These charges spark a shock wave that takes out mines and shells, it added.

"The vehicle has also been used offensively, where its line charge has been used to destroy entire streets in urban combat," the U.S. said.

Between February 24, 2022, and the beginning of October 2023, Ukraine destroyed or captured 33 of Russia's UR-77 mine-clearing vehicles, according to Dutch open-source intelligence outlet, Oryx. However, this tally only includes losses that can be visually verified, and the true number may be higher.

Ukraine is now thought to be the most heavily mined country in the world, which has posed both real danger to Ukrainian troops trying to clear territory and a frustrating obstacle against Ukraine's counteroffensive progress.

Fighting on the front lines around Avdiivka has spiked in recent weeks after Moscow's troops launched their first major offensive on Ukrainian positions since the start of Ukraine's summer counteroffensive.

Capturing Avdiivka would be a strategic and symbolic victory for the Kremlin. Russia would be able to better defend against future Ukrainian operations, and head off artillery shelling on Russian-held territory. But Avdiivka has spent years on the front lines of fighting, becoming a Ukrainian stronghold accustomed to Russian pressure.

Russia is maintaining efforts to encircle the town, Ukraine's General Staff said in an update on Wednesday. "Our warriors are steadily holding the defense and causing the enemy significant losses," Kyiv's military said, adding Ukraine had recorded around 20 Russian attacks around Avdiivka in the previous 24 hours.

Russia's Defense Ministry did not mention Avdiivka in its latest update, saying on Tuesday that 330 Ukrainian fighters had been killed in the Donetsk and southern Donetsk directions of fighting in the previous 24 hours.

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