Russia has said that its self-propelled artillery has destroyed Ukrainian positions in Bakhmut.

The footage reportedly shows a 2S9 'Nona' manoeuvring into position before repeatedly opening fire on unseen targets.

The footage then cuts to what appears to be drone images purporting to show the Russian ordnance hitting Ukrainian positions.

The Russian war machine can then be seen manoeuvring away to avoid return fire as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, October 19, along with a statement claiming: 'Artillery units of the Airborne Forces are conducting combat work to destroy manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Artemovsk [Bakhmut] direction.'

The Russian MoD added: "The Russian Ministry of Defense publishes footage of the combat work of artillery units of the Airborne Forces in the zone of the special military operation.

'Artillery units of 120-mm self-propelled guns 2S9 'Nona' of the Tula paratroopers are constantly conducting combat work to destroy manpower and military equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Artemovsk [Bakhmut] direction in the Kleshcheevka area.

'During reconnaissance and search operations, reconnaissance paratroopers discovered a platoon stronghold with Ukrainian nationalists holed up in it. The coordinates of the enemy positions were immediately transmitted to the artillery control point for their destruction.

'The crews of the Nona self-propelled guns marched to the firing positions and, after taking aim, hit strong points and destroyed the manpower of the Ukrainian militants who had settled in them.

'The artillerymen of the 'winged infantry' act professionally, decisively and harmoniously, showing courage and bravery. Having destroyed the identified objects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the crews change positions to perform new tasks.

'Reconnaissance of targets, adjustment of fire, and objective control of hitting targets with guns were carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles.'

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in what the Kremlin is still calling a 'special military operation'.