Russia has claimed that its artillery units have taken out Ukrainian fortified positions in the Kupiansk direction.

The images show Russian soldiers firing with Msta-S Self-Propelled Guns at unseen targets.

The footage shows Russian soldiers calculating the coordinates of targets using reconnaissance data before reportedly opening fire on Ukrainian military positions.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, December 26, along with a statement saying: 'Artillery units of the 'West' group of troops, around the clock, carry out precision strikes on exposed military targets, positions, fortifications, armoured vehicles and manpower of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kupyansky direction in the zone of a special military operation.

'Artillery personnel calculate the coordinates of targets using reconnaissance data and unleash artillery fire on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The continuous roar of self-propelled howitzers shatters the silence in this sector.

'Soldiers from the howitzer battalion of the artillery formation in the 'West' forces group, located in the Kupyansk direction, neutralized concealed fortified positions and enemy personnel with rapid fire from self-propelled artillery systems 'Msta-S'.'

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