These images purport to show Russian attack helicopters launching missiles at Ukrainian military positions.

The footage begins by showing ordnance being loaded into a Russian attack helicopter. The images then show one of the Russian aircraft, sporting the now infamous white ‘Z’ symbol on its cockpit, flying low over some countryside.

The ‘Z’ is one of the symbols, as well as the letters ‘V’ and ‘O’ that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

The images then purport to show Ukrainian targets being hit before some of the Russian attack helicopters can be seen unleashing their deadly ordnance.

The images then show at least two Russian helicopters flying low to the ground before one can be seen coming in to land.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 28th October, along with a statement claiming: “The Russian Ministry of Defence published footage of the combat work of army aviation crews operating in the interests of the Central Military District in the zone of the special military operation.

“The Russian Ministry of Defence has published footage of the combat work of army aviation crews operating in the interests of the Central Military District (CMD) in the zone of the special military operation, which today is celebrating the 74th anniversary of the founding of the first helicopter squadron in the sky.

“The crews of Ka-52, Mi-28, Mi-24 attack helicopters and Mi-8 transport and combat helicopters provide support to the ground forces in all sectors of the front of the special military operation.

“Helicopter pilots provide fire destruction of the enemy from the air, destroying manpower, fortifications, military and armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Attack helicopters carry cannon, unguided and guided missile weapons, which daily fall on enemy positions at the coordinates of the aircraft controller.

“Mi-8 transport and combat helicopters provide transportation of personnel and equipment, as well as evacuation from the battlefield.

“Modern helicopters are equipped with airborne defence systems that ensure the safety of the crew in combat conditions. , Detecting the enemy’s means of fire, the complex takes the missiles to the side and informs the pilot from which direction the fire is taking place.

“Helicopter piloting features allow pilots to remain virtually invisible to enemy air defence systems, flying into the combat area at extremely low altitudes and using the terrain as natural cover.

“During the special military operation, most of the army aviation crews were awarded state and departmental awards for courage, dedication and heroism.”

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 247th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 28th October, Russia had lost about 69,700 personnel, 2,640 tanks, 5,378 armoured combat vehicles, 1,698 artillery units, 379 multiple launch rocket systems, 192 air defence systems, 272 warplanes, 251 helicopters, 1,401 drones, 351 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,088 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 151 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the world faces “probably the most dangerous” decade since World War II.

Putin said: “We are at a historical frontier. Ahead is probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and at the same time important decade since the end of World War II.”

The Russian leader made the comments during a long speech at the annual Valdai Discussion Club, a forum of Russian specialists, on Thursday, 27th October, during which he accused the West of using nuclear blackmail against Russia and attempted to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Putin also said that the West’s “undivided dominance” over world affairs was coming to an end.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia has launched over 30 drone attacks on Ukraine in the last two days. He also added that in total, Moscow has carried out some 4,500 missile strikes and over 8,000 air raids since the beginning of the invasion in February.

Speaking from the capital Kyiv and standing beside what appeared to be a downed Iranian Shahed drone, Zelensky vowed to “clip the wings” of Moscow’s air power.

The United States and its allies have claimed that Iran is supplying large numbers of combat drones to Russia but Moscow and Tehran have so far denied this.

Speaking in the Canadian capital Ottawa, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s aggressive use of drones “appalling”. He said that Russia was using the devices to “kill Ukrainian civilians and destroy the infrastructure they rely on for electricity, for water, for heat”.

Ukrainians living in the capital Kyiv and the surrounding area have been informed of a “sharp deterioration” in the region’s electricity supply after further Russian strikes. A new timetable for scheduled blackouts will be introduced in the capital in the coming days.

Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian journalist and Putin’s rumoured goddaughter, has reportedly fled to Lithuania, according to intelligence services in Vilnius. This is after police in Moscow reportedly raided one of her homes. She is the daughter of a former Mayor of St Petersburg, Anatoly Sobchak, who Putin had previously described as his mentor.