The video shows the moment Russian troops seized four units of equipment that were abandoned by Ukrainian soldiers during a retreat.

Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed motorised rifle brigades of the Central Military District carried out the mission in the city ofAvdiivka, in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, on February 21.

The equipment reportedly included two US-made M113 armoured personnel carriers and two BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. They were reportedly abandoned after Ukranian troops fled the area.

The ministry said in a statement: 'One of the captured American armoured vehicles was found right on the road in a huge crater from a large-calibre projectile. It blocked the road, hindering the advance of Russian troops.'

A deputy commander codenamed 'Klever' added: 'This is a BMP-1, abandoned by the Ukrainian armed forces literally on the second day of the assault.

'I have already pulled out four units of such vehicles today. Two of them are already M-113, American. This BMP-1 will be repainted, our tactical markings will be applied, and it will serve us.

'They left it behind when retreating, realising that they were already caught in a cauldron. They left a lot behind, including BMP-1s, and mostly all are American M-113s.

'Our 'boxes' are much better. They are more passable, and in terms of maintenance, ours are much simpler than the American ones.'

Ukrainian units have reportedly left behind several dozen armoured vehicles in the area while evading attacks from the Russian forces.

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