The video purports to show Russian howitzers destroying Ukrainian artillery crews during a counter-battery fire.

Using self-propelled howitzers 'Hyacinth-S', also known as 2S5 Giatsint-S, of Russia's Central Military District (CVO), Russian soldiers allegedly crushed the Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery crews.

The attack occurred in a counter-battery fire near the city of Lyman, a city in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, on January 16.

Russia's Ministry of Defence said in a statement: 'Receiving coordinates of sightings - technical parameters confirming the operation of barrel artillery and mortars of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - the crews of the 'Hyacinth-S' guns arrived at the position.

'They conducted targeting based on reconnaissance coordinates provided, and with a series of shots hit the area where the fire capabilities of Ukrainian nationalists were located.

'The ammunition supply and unloading point, detected with UAVs, were also hit.

'After shelling Ukrainian positions, the CVO artillery crews camouflaged the guns and retreated to underground shelters.'

A Russian senior officer called 'Academic' said: 'Our battery is engaged in counter-battery fire -our task is to hit the enemy's artillery.

'Counter-battery combat involves constant reconnaissance, including the use of UAVs.'