Russia has said that its Su-25 attack aircraft have carried out missile strikes on Ukrainian military targets near Lyman, as these images purport to show.

The footage shows the Russian fighter jets taking off from a runway and flying low over countryside, firing missiles at unseen targets.

One of the aircraft takes evasive action, deploying flares, and appears to land back at base.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, December 19, along with a statement claiming: 'The crews of the attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed enemy manpower and equipment in the Krasnolimansk direction.

'The crews of Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed a concentration of enemy personnel and lightly armoured equipment in the Krasnolimansk direction.

'The strike was carried out by unguided S-8 aircraft missiles. In addition, the attack on targets was carried out with pitching at an extremely low altitude.

'According to the reports of the forward aircraft gunner, all of these targets were successfully destroyed. The flight went as usual.'

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