Russian artillery units claimed they had discovered and fired on hidden Ukrainian soldiers along the front lines near Kupyansk on January 29.

Reconnaissance by the Western Troop Group revealed camouflaged fortified points belonging to the Ukrainian military, prompting a decision to launch artillery strikes against them, the Russian Ministry of Defence stated.

They said in a statement: 'Executing the mission, the crews of D-30 howitzers assumed firing positions and unleashed precise fire on the identified targets, the ministry continued.

'Drone-assisted targeting purportedly ensured accuracy in the artillery barrage. As a result, approximately 30 Ukrainian infantry soldiers were eliminated in the attack.'

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