This remarkable footage shows Russian sappers using more than 440 lbs of explosives to protect three settlements from flooding.

The rescue mission was carried out by troops from Russia's Central Military District (CMD) in the Ilishevsky District, in the Republic of Bashkortostan, on March 26.

Russia's Ministry of Defense said in a statement: 'A demolition team completed a 200-kilometres march from their permanent deployment point to the Syun River.

'Subsequently, sappers conducted reconnaissance of the riverbed, estimating the quantity and mass of explosive materials.

'To maximise efficiency, charges were placed under ice, which was up to 40-centimeres thick.

'The operations were carried out in areas prone to blockages to prevent flooding of the villages of Yabalakovo, Ilisha, and Kipchakovo, with a population of about 1,000 people.

'In total, more than 200 kilogrammes of explosives were used.

'The actions of the units are coordinated by the regional Command Center of the CMD in Yekaterinburg, where general monitoring of flood and wildfire situations is conducted.

'Cooperation with local authorities and regional units of the Russian Emergencies Ministry has been established.'