The video purportedly shows Russian Sukhoi Su-35 air defence fighters intercepting and taking down Ukrainian targets within their airspace.

Russian Aerospace Forces carried out the alleged attack on the Ukrainian units using the single-seat, twin-engine Su-35S jets on February 1.

They reportedly successfully prevented the Ukrainian military from entering their airspace.

Russia's Ministry of Defence said in a statement: 'The primary objective of combat duty is to maintain airspace control, identify emissions from enemy radar installations for prompt elimination, and deter Ukrainian Armed Forces aircraft from entering the designated duty zone.

'By being in the air, the Su-35S crews do not allow the enemy to even take off from their home airfield since any air target attempting to take off will be immediately detected and destroyed.

'Pilots of operational-tactical aviation carry out combat missions at any time, in any weather conditions, and with various types of aircraft weapons.'