Russia claimed fighters of its 'West' military group captured Ukrainian military positions and took Ukrainian soldiers prisoners after a battle near the frontline city of Kupyansk.

Video footage shows Russian army men camouflaged in white uniforms as they raided a snow-covered forest in the Kharkiv Oblast where they allegedly took Ukrainian soldiers captive on January 17.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence, along with the statement: 'During combat operations in the Kupyanskarea, soldiers of the assault unit of the 'West' military group captured additional positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

'The assault troops easily took control of the fortified point, provided assistance to wounded UAF fighters, and sent a group of captured enemy soldiers to their rear, who provided valuable information.

'The assault soldiers shared information about battles for each bunker with a branched communication system and shared simple observations about the enemy's behaviour.

'Each fortified point, bunker, and outpost were mined, as were the roads and approaches to them. Breakthroughs had to be made under dense fire from tanks and artillery.'

The commander of the assault group, code-named 'Larek', said: 'My combat path started with infantry. There is a full understanding of what air raids are and how to take cover from enemy drones.

'When I joined the assault groups, I first went there for training and then joined the assault group for active service.'

An unnamed Russian soldier claimed: 'There are situations when you spend two or three days in a shelter. We had three groups. We approached from three directions, using different roads.

'One of the groups was already in the enemy rear at that moment. They got there unnoticed and waited for the right moment and command. Then they went on the attack, engaging in a firefight with the enemy.

'That's when the enemy realised they were surrounded, and the soldiers started surrendering.'

'Larek' added: 'My group found a UAF soldier who didn't want to fight and surrendered his weapon. And we took him out.

'He is a mobilised serviceman, they transported him and dropped him at the front without any training.

'UAF fighters in positions are without communication, there is no communication between them.

'The captured UAF soldier said that his unit was dropped into positions, given a small amount of weapons, a little water, and food. There, they sat and fired back.'