Video Shows Russian Howitzer Obliterated in Excalibur Strike

A video showing what appears to be a Russian Howitzer weapon being destroyed by an attack from Ukrainian forces has begun to circulate on social media.

The clip shows Russin soldiers fleeing the area before an artillery shell from the Excalibur, a high-precision GPS-guided munition, destroys the Howitzer hidden in the trees.

The Twitter account Ukraine Weapons Tracker posted the video on Friday and has so far been viewed over 80,000 times.

The page captioned the video: "A Russian Msta-B 152mm towed howitzer was destroyed by a M982 Excalibur of the Ukrainian army on the left bank of the Dnipro River, #Kherson Oblast."

Before the strike on the Russian towed howitzer, soldiers can be seen fleeing. A truck that was close by is also seen leaving the area quickly.

After the howitzer is struck a large plume of smoke is seen rising from the trees as the truck begins to drive away.

However, Newsweek has not been able to independently verify when and where the video was shot.

According to a September Telegraph report, the M982 Excalibur weapon was given to Ukrainian forces by the U.S., with the hardware considered to be one of the most accurate artillery shells.

Before being fired, the Excalibur's digital fire control system is programmed with the exact coordinates of the intended target.

Once it is fired from an artillery gun, folded fins are extended from the shell's base an nose compartment. This allows it to glide towards to its target.

The Defence of Ukraine Twitter page also shared a video of a tank being destroyed.

"Safety is a slippery concept for the occupiers in Ukraine," the caption said.

"When your not in a tank, it's dangerous. When you're in a tank, it's dangerous. When you are on a tank, it is very dangerous.

"There are no safe places for them in Ukraine."

The video shows an areal view of field that appears to have been repeatedly been struck by shells. It then zooms into a tank that was recently struck.

It is not clear whether it was struck by a mine in the road or an artillery strike.

The video then shows soldiers scrambling on top of and around the tank. Seconds later an explosion and a cloud of smoke is seen.

At least two soldiers can be seen fleeing the area after the explosion.

Newsweek has contacted the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment.