Russia has claimed that its Su-25 attack aircraft have carried out missile strikes on Ukrainian military targets near Donetsk, as these images purport to show.

The footage shows the Russian fighter jet taking off from a runway and flying low over the countryside, firing missiles at unseen targets.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Friday, January 12, along with a statement claiming: 'Attack aviation crews on Su-25 aircraft carried out a strike with unguided aircraft missiles on enemy strongholds, armored vehicles and manpower in the Donetsk direction in the zone of a special military operation.

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

'According to the reports of the forward aircraft gunner (PAN), all of these targets were successfully hit. The flight went as usual.

'The Su-25 pilot, call sign 'Jimmy' added: 'We received a combat mission and went out to the target area as a pair. They launched unguided aircraft missiles from a nose-up position, then maneuvered and reached the landing airfield. The Pans are happy, all the shells hit the target.'

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