Russia has said that it hit a Ukrainian control centre in a destroyed building using Msta-B howitzers.

The images show Russian soldiers making calculations and preparing to fire before launching shells from the Msta-B howitzers.

The footage shows Russian soldiers opening fire from the Msta-B howitzers. Then the scene cuts to explosions on the battlefield, allegedly showing the Ukrainian control centre being hit in a destroyed building near Bakhmut.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Wednesday December 28, along with a statement saying: 'In the Bakhmut direction, units of the Airborne Forces from the Southern Group of Forces continue active combat operations, successfully advancing north-west of Bakhmut.

'A big role in this is played by the artillerymen of the Kostroma Guards Regiment of the Ivanovo Guards Airborne Forces, who constantly support groups of paratroopers storming strongholds of Ukrainian formations with their fire.

'Reconnaissance using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) discovered active movements of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel near a dilapidated house in one of the settlements northwest of Artemovsk.

'After a detailed study of the situation, it was found that in the basement of this dilapidated building, one of the forward control points (PCP) of the Ukrainian units is located.

'After receiving data from aerial reconnaissance equipment, the paratroopers took up a firing position and prepared a weapon for use - the 152-mm Msta-B howitzer.

'Kostroma artillery paratroopers inflicted precise fire, destroying the building to the ground and destroying the control centre with all the personnel who were in it.'

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