Russia has said that it is using BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers to destroy Ukrainian firing points, as these images purport to show.

The footage shows Russian soldiers loading ammunition into the BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers. Then, they are seen repeatedly opening fire at unseen targets.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Thursday, January 4, along with a statement saying: 'BTR-82A armoured personnel carriers of the Southern Group of Forces carry out missions to destroy firing points and support with fire the offensive actions of assault groups in the Bakhmut direction.

'The crews of armoured personnel carriers confidently operate on the battlefield, suppressing firing points and strongholds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the face of the enemy's use of anti-tank weapons.

'After receiving a combat mission, the crews of armoured personnel carriers of the Southern Military District secretly advance to the opening lines of fire, using the effect of surprise to suppress firing points and change positions, using the terrain and natural cover.

'When suppressing enemy fire, Russian military personnel fire at the enemy from the rapid-fire guns of armoured personnel carriers on the move, which significantly increases the survivability of equipment on the battlefield.'

The commander of the BTR-82A crew, code-named Valdai, added: 'We're going into a brazen situation, the guys are covering us. Two cars are covered, and in addition, there is a small arms cover.

'We also have our own positions - they are starting to cover. The raid on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces begins - we go into their defensive positions in a brazen manner.

'The infantry dismounts from the armoured personnel carrier, from the MTLB and begins to fight.

'The battle begins - the Ukrainian Armed Forces begin to retreat and run away in horror. They are afraid of small arms combat.'

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