These images purportedly show crews of supersonic fighter bombers Su-34 VKS carrying out attacks on Ukrainian military positions using guided aircraft weapons.

The Russian troops allegedly hit three command and observation posts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the city of Lyman, located in the Donetsk Region, in eastern Ukraine.

Bomber crews used universal planning and correction modules (UMPC) with FAB-500 unguided aerial bombs weighing 500 kilogrammes (1,102 lbs), according to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

After completing the combat mission, forward air gunners visually confirmed the target was hit and provided a safe route for aircraft to leave for their home airfields, the MoD added.

Su-34 crew commander Oleg said in a statement: 'During the mission, I performed a flight to destroy enemy military objects using bomb weapons.

'The flight took place at an altitude of 11,000 metres. The armament worked as intended. All targets were hit.'

The crews of Su-34 fighter-bombers are on combat duty around the clock at home airfields, performing air patrol missions and covering the actions of units of a group of troops, the MoD said.