The astonishing footage appears to show Russian soldiers destroying Ukrainian targets with attack aircraft.

Russian units purportedly attacked Ukrainian troops with the subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet Sukhoi Su-25 Grach aircraft.

The alleged operation took place near the city of Donetsk, in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast on February 1.

Russia's Ministry of Defence said in a statement: 'After using aircraft weapons, the crews performed an anti-missile manoeuvre, 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.'

Air gunner 'Traktor' said: 'We received the task of defeating enemy personnel.

'We carried out takeoff, access to the target area, launch of the unmanned aerial vehicle from a nose-up position, anti-missile manoeuvring, and landing at the departure airfield.

'According to the report of the forward air gunner from the ground, all targets were hit.'