Russia has said that its Su-25 fighter jets have fired missiles at Ukrainian positions in Donetsk.

The footage shows a Russian fighter jet being loaded with ordnance and taking to the skies before it can be seen flying low over countryside and opening fire on unseen targets before returning to base as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, December 8, along with a statement claiming: 'Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk direction.'

The Russian MoD added: 'The crews of Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces launched an attack with unguided aircraft missiles on an enemy stronghold and manpower in the Donetsk direction.

'After using aircraft weapons, the crews performed an anti-missile manoeuvre, released heat traps and returned to the departure airfield.'

The statement quotes a pilot with the call sign 'Falcon' as saying: 'During the execution of the combat mission, an accumulation of enemy manpower was discovered, and the task of destruction was assigned. We prepared for the re-flight, took off, climbed, reached the point where the return began, reached the target, and launched unguided aircraft missiles from the nose up.

'Next - anti-missile manoeuvring, departure from the target, landing approach at the departure airfield. From the ground, the forward air gunners indicated that the target had been hit and thanked him for his work. Victory will be ours.'

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