Footage shows Russian soldiers removing tree branches that were camouflaging a piece of field artillery for loading the weapon with ordinance and firing it.

Images show the D-30 howitzer being repeatedly fired by the Russian soldiers, who were reportedly targeting Ukrainian positions.

The video was obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, October 3, along with a statement claiming: 'Military personnel of artillery crews of D-30 howitzers of the Center group of troops destroyed lightly armoured combat vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a camouflaged mobile mortar based on a pickup truck in the Krasnolimansky direction.

'Combat work was carried out against targets identified by unmanned aerial vehicle operators with 122-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells at a range of up to 15 kilometers.

'The high accuracy of the gun makes it possible to inflict fire on single enemy targets, destroy detected enemy equipment almost from the first shot, and effectively destroy the fortifications of Ukrainian nationalists.

'After hitting targets, the artillerymen camouflage their guns and take cover in dugouts. The mobility of the D-30 howitzer allows, if necessary, to conduct counter-fire maneuvers and quickly change firing positions.'

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