Russia has said that it has fired on Ukrainian positions using self-propelled guns, as this footage purports to show.

The images show one of the Russian war machines, camouflaged with tree branches, being prepared to fire.

It can then be seen being loaded with ordnance and repeatedly opening fire on unseen targets. The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday, November 14, along with a statement claiming: 'Crews of self-propelled guns 'Giatsint' of the Western Military District deliver precise strikes on enemy positions in the Kupyansk direction.'

The Russian MoD added: 'During the special military operation, artillery units of the Western Military District continue to carry out fire missions to defeat artillery batteries of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, destroy defensive structures, suppress command posts, and destroy enemy fire weapons, weapons and military equipment.

'Crews of 152-mm self-propelled artillery units 'Giatsint-S' of the Western Military District deliver precision strikes around the clock on enemy positions in the zone of the special military operation in the Kupyansky direction. '

'Artillery crews of Giatsint-S cannons destroy military targets, fortifications and enemy personnel.

'Artillerymen have to work every day in the most difficult conditions, but trained crews spend only a few minutes after receiving the target coordinates before firing a shot.

'During combat missions, artillerymen strike camouflaged artillery positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine identified by reconnaissance units, remote from the line of contact, ammunition depots, fortified strongholds and long-term firing points, as well as concentrations of enemy manpower.

'Firing is carried out with 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells at a distance of more than 30 kilometres.

'Carrying out fire missions, artillerymen interact with crews of unmanned aerial vehicles, which carry out reconnaissance of enemy positions and adjust the accuracy of gunfire. 'After live firing, the artillerymen change firing positions to spare ones to prevent return fire from the enemy and to replenish ammunition.

'Combat missions as part of the battery are performed by military personnel who were called up from the reserve as part of partial mobilization, and volunteers who have completed the full cycle of training and combat coordination in training centres and training grounds of the Western Military District, including in the rear areas of the special military operation.'

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