This video shows how Ukrainian troops captured a Russian tank as the invaders abandoned their expensive kit on the battlefield and fled for their lives.

The footage shows a Ukrainian soldier driving a tank that is towing a captured Russian tank.

The images were obtained from the 3rd Separate Tank Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces on Wednesday, September 14, along with a statement saying: 'Rashists are fleeing from Kharkiv region, throwing away their infantry, equipment, weapons...

'Near Bayrak, our tankers from the battalion under the command of an officer with the call sign 'Alkut' captured a tank and an armoured personnel carrier among the trophies. Keep it up!'

The images were relayed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and by the Office of Strategic Communications (StratCom) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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 and September 14, Russia had lost about 53,650 personnel, 2,180 tanks, 4,665 armoured combat vehicles, 1,290 artillery units, 311 multiple launch rocket systems, 167 air defence systems, 246 warplanes, 215 helicopters, 908 drones, 233 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,501 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 120 units of special equipment.

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

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that approximately 8,000 square kilometres (3,100 square miles) have been recaptured from Russian forces, primarily in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.

President Zelensky said that 'stabilisation measures are still ongoing' in the liberated areas, with Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister, Hanna Malyar, saying that over 150,000 people have been freed from Russian rule in the Balakliia area, which Ukraine retook last week.

Lesia Vasylenko, a Ukrainian Member of Parliament, said that the bodies of beheaded Ukrainian soldiers, human faeces, evidence of widespread looting and a terrified population are some of the sights that greeted the advancing Ukrainian military forces in the recently recaptured areas.

Vasylenko added: 'Liberation uncovers many crimes. It's as if we are on the verge of hundreds, if not thousands of Buchas, just of a smaller scale.' Ukrainian authorities discovered in April mass graves and evidence of torture in Bucha, a city near Kyiv that was recaptured from Russian forces.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has warned that retreating Russian forces are continuing to loot the territories they occupy as they withdraw.