Russia has claimed that its artillery and mines have destroyed Western-made Ukrainian armoured vehicles advancing in southern Donetsk.

The footage, filmed from a drone, purports to show a number of Ukrainian military vehicles advancing before they are hit by the Russian ordnance, with some appearing to detonate after hitting mines.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, June 7, along with a statement claiming: 'Footage of the destruction of an armoured group of militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by artillery fire during an attempt to attack in the South Donetsk direction.'

The Russian MoD added: 'Artillery units of the Vostok group struck at the retractable armoured vehicles manufactured by Western countries.

'As a result, more than 10 armoured fighting vehicles, along with their crews, were destroyed.

'Several armoured vehicles were blown up by mines while trying to escape from artillery fire.

'The attack of the enemy armoured group on Western-made equipment was thwarted. The enemy is destroyed.'

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