Russia claimed its Central Forces' Tank Brigade obliterated a Ukrainian ammunition depot and disrupted a fortification concealed in a forest near the front-line city of Lyman.

According to Russia's Ministry of Defence (MoD), its troops discovered and attacked the Ukrainian position in Donetsk Oblast on January 18.

A motorised infantry unit of the Central Forces allegedly received intelligence about the Ukrainian military concentrations in the forested area.

Then, a tank platoon from the motorised infantry unit, equipped with modern T-80BVM tanks, swiftly moved to a concealed firing position, the ministry claimed.

Leveraging the high speed and low noise profile of their combat vehicles, the tank crew executed a series of shots at a broad target within the forested area, occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, it added.

The tank platoon commander with the call sign 'Meren' claimed: 'By firing from three to four tanks simultaneously, we cover a very large area, eliminating the need for a spotter.

'The projectile dispersion is significant, effectively blanketing a field of 500 by 500 metres.'

During the operation, the tank brigade of the Central Forces allegedly caused the loss of a key Ukrainian position, an ammunition depot, and a fortification group.