Footage appears to show Russian 'Buk' missiles counter-attacking Ukrainian powerful HIMARS rockets during a defensive operation.

Russia's Ministry of Defence said the crossfire was recorded in the area of Donetsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on February 5.

They said in a statement: 'The Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system is capable of firing at enemy air targets both using its radar data and as part of a division, based on data from radar detection means.

'The main targets for Buk-M1 include UAVs, enemy aircraft and helicopters, and missiles of various classes, including those of Western manufacture.

'The Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system simultaneously tracks up to 300 targets and destroys enemy air attack assets at altitudes of up to 18 kilometres [11 miles].'

A Deputy commander called 'Groznii' said: 'We shot down two HIMARS missiles three days ago.

'Tasks must be completed quickly. The target flies at high speed - over600 meters [0.3 miles] per second. Every second counts.

'But the machine copes with the tasks assigned to it and shoots down such missiles without any problems.'