Russia has said that its paratroopers have used BMD-4Ms to destroy the Ukrainian platoon stronghold near Zaporizhzhia.

The footage shows a number of Russian soldiers climbing into a BMD-4M infantry fighting vehicle and manoeuvring out of a forested area and into a firing position out of the open.

They can then be seen repeatedly opening fire on unseen targets before manoeuvring away to avoid return fire.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, November 16, along with a statement claiming: 'An armoured group of Novorossiysk paratroopers destroyed a platoon stronghold of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporizhzhia direction.' The Russian MoD added: '

'A reconnaissance group of the Novorossiysk Airborne Forces unit in the Zaporizhzhia direction in the area of ​​the village of Verbovoye, using an unmanned aerial vehicle, discovered a platoon stronghold of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with militants hiding in it.

'An armoured group using fourth-generation BMD-4M airborne combat vehicles was sent to destroy it.

'The crews of the combat vehicles quickly marched on standard equipment to the specified area.

'Acting professionally, decisively and harmoniously, showing courage and bravery, the crews of the armoured group suppressed the enemy's defensive positions from indirect firing positions with 100-mm cannons, destroying a large number of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel.

'The surviving nationalists hastily fled, abandoning their weapons and equipment. 'After completing the assigned task, the armoured group promptly retreated to a safe area.'

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