LIVE UPDATES - Video of Russian Lancet Kamikaze Drone Destroys Ukrainian MLRS

A Russian Lancet kamikaze drone has destroyed a Ukrainian multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) with a high-precision strike in the Avdeevka direction, the Russian Defense Ministry says.

The ministry released video footage on Saturday of a Czechoslovakia-produced RM-70 multiple rocket launcher getting hit and subsequently destroyed by the Russian loitering munition.

"The combat vehicle was discovered by UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] crews in the Avdeevka direction in the zone of the special military operation. After that, it was destroyed by high-precision loitering munition (Lancet)," the Russian defense ministry said.

The ministry added that the Russian loitering munition is effectively used to destroy the military equipment of the Ukrainian troops, such as artillery pieces, tanks, armored vehicles, and air defense systems.

Russian kamikaze drone "Lancet" with an ultra-precise strike destroyed the Ukrainian MLRS in the Avdeevka direction (video of the Russian Ministry of Defense)

Earlier this month, an informed source told Sputnik that Russian loitering munition Izdeliye-52 (Lancet) had been modernized based on the experience of using it during the special military operation in Ukraine. The basic version of the drone has been significantly upgraded and now has a more powerful warhead, a new optoelectronic guidance system and a control system with new software.

Special operation, 16 March. Main:

▪️Putin instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to report on the creation of a state fund to support participants in the special operation by March 30;

▪️Peskov redirected to the military the issue of raising the American MQ-9 drone from the Black Sea and noted that it would be removed if it was necessary for the interests and security of Russia;

▪️White House spokesman Kirby said that the United States does not want Russia to get a drone that fell into the Black Sea, but are not overly worried that the UAV will still be raised from the sea;

▪️According to him, the United States and Russia did not communicate about the crash of the American drone after the video of the incident was made public, it is possible that there will be no such contacts;

▪️The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia the Ukrainian "Legion" Freedom of Russia ";

▪️In the Donetsk, Kupyansk, Krasnolimansk, Yuzhnodonetsk, Zaporozhye and Kherson directions, Kyiv's losses per day amounted to 520 soldiers killed and wounded, the Russian Defense Ministry said;

The Russian military destroyed a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group that was trying to force the Kakhovka reservoir, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The security forces also prevented a terrorist attack in the Zaporozhye region.

▪️Pushilin said that the Russian side sees no prerequisites that Ukraine is going to withdraw troops from Artemivsk, adding that the situation there will remain difficult;

▪️Ukrainian troops have stepped up on the Zaporozhye sector of the front line, but all their attempts to attack are being thwarted, Rogov said;

▪️Poland will hand over the first four MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine in the coming days, President Duda said;

▪️The White House said that Poland's decision to transfer MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine does not change US plans for the possibility of supplying F-16s;

▪️Estonian Prime Minister Kallas discussed the increase in military assistance to Ukraine, as well as the lowering of the price ceiling for Russian oil, according to her, Western countries should not get tired of supporting Ukraine and should not underestimate Russia;

▪️Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said that he had discussed with Blinken the acceleration of the supply of artillery ammunition.

Special operation, 17 March. Main:

▪️Enemy losses in the Krasnolimansk, Kupyansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhye directions exceeded 330 people, the Russian Defense Ministry reported;

▪️Russian forces already control up to 70% of Artyomovsk in the DPR, Pushilin's adviser said;

Burning Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle near Kremennaya. The car was destroyed by cannon fire.

▪️Pushilin said that Russian units are moving towards the center of Artemovsk, knocking out the Ukrainian military in the northern and southern directions;

▪️Peskov said that the supply of fighter jets by Poland to Ukraine will bring additional troubles to the Ukrainians themselves;

▪️Putin signed a decree appointing Major General of Justice Alexei Naidu as military prosecutor of the Joint Group of Forces;

▪️Putin and Xi Jinping during negotiations in the Kremlin will discuss, among other things, the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said;

▪️The Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation called for the preparation of an international judicial body “to bring war criminals in Ukraine to international criminal responsibility”;

▪️Bastrykin instructed to conduct an audit in connection with the illegal issuance of warrants by the ICC against citizens of the Russian Federation, as part of the audit, specific persons from among the judges of the ICC who made illegal decisions will be identified.