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

The images show the preparation of a camouflaged Russian war machine, adorned with tree branches, before it is loaded with ammunition and fires multiple rounds at undisclosed targets.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, December 29, along with a statement claiming: 'Artillery units of the Western Military District carry out precision strikes around the clock on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the zone of the special military operation in the Kupyansky direction. They destroy military facilities, 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 a target before firing a shot, employing tactics involving frequent changes of firing positions.

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

'The work on these targets is carried out from the battery fire control point. Target coordinates are provided to gun crews, and we receive the targets themselves from higher headquarters. We then calculate and relay the information to the guns for destruction.

'We are constantly on duty.'

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