Footage appears to show Russian paratroopers hitting a group of Ukrainian soldiers with airborne infantry fighting vehicles.

The alleged attack was carried out in the destroyed city of Soledar, in eastern Ukraine's Bakhmut Raion, on March 20.

Russia's Ministry of Defence said: 'Receiving a task to destroy Ukrainian Armed Forces infantry in a fortified position, the crew of a mobile armoured group from the guard parachute-assault regiment of the Tula Airborne Division, operating on combat vehicles of the BMD-2K-AU airborne assault vehicles, swiftly deployed to the designated area under the cover of night to execute the combat mission.

'The paratroopers approached close to the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, engaging them with direct fire using high-explosive fragmentation shells from a distance of no more than 1,000 meters [0.6 miles], and adjusting fire with the help of a quadcopter.

'After neutralising the target and eliminating the enemy personnel, the Tula paratrooper armoured group changed firing positions to avoid potential retaliatory fire from the enemy.'

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

The conflict is still ongoing with public support from Europe and the United States fading and businesses reopening their ties with Russia.

Deserters have fled both countries for safer climbs in Europe and Asia.