Russia has said that it has destroyed Ukrainian command posts in the Kupiansk region using Su-34 fighter jets.

The footage purports to show a Russian fighter jet being loaded with ordnance and prepared for takeoff before it can be seen taking to the skies.

It can then be seen flying at high altitude before dropping a bomb. The footage then shows the fighter jet reportedly returning to base.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, December 15, along with a statement claiming: 'Su-34 VKS destroyed command posts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction.'

The Russian MoD added: 'The crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed command posts, as well as transport vehicles and heavy armoured vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk direction with high-explosive aerial bombs.

'During a combat mission in the special military operation zone, the Su-34 crews, in accordance with the flight mission, entered the specified area and inflicted air strikes on the specified targets.

'The crews carried out bombing with high-explosive aircraft bombs with a universal planning and correction module (UMPC), which allows them to deliver precise strikes without entering the enemy air defence zone.

'Having received confirmation from intelligence, the pilots safely returned to the departure airfield.

'The crews perform air patrol missions and cover the actions of units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation at any time of the day and in any weather conditions, performing flights from their home airfield.'