These images purport to show Russian soldiers training to use assault rifles before they are sent to the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

The footage begins with a Russian soldier practising with what appears to be a silenced assault rifle on a snowy firing range.

His colleagues can also be seen opening fire on mock targets while taking cover.

A soldier can then be seen taking a position while being provided with cover fire from his colleagues as a smoke grenade is apparently deployed to provide additional cover.

A soldier can then be seen using a belt-fed heavy machine gun.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 3rd February, along with a statement claiming: “At one of the training grounds of the Western Military District, training of servicemen continues before being sent to the zone of the special military operation.

“Shots have been ringing at the firing range since early morning. Here, military personnel undergo full training and recall the skills of combat work.

“Watching such workouts is good luck! Usually, they are hidden from prying eyes. Before going to the special military operation zone, the military personnel of the Western Military District hone their skills and abilities to fight in different terrain conditions and in any weather.

“There is fire training, they work from machine guns, the task is to hit targets at various distances. And at a nearby point, servicemen are working with grenade launchers and heavy machine guns.

“Those who serve to protect the border learn to repel possible enemy attacks. Along with them, foot soldiers. Everyone knows how to handle weapons anyway. But not just target shooting is important, but the ability to use weapons at a high level.

“The main thing is to hone everything to automatism here, in the rear, in a calm environment.

“The main stage of training is fire training. Groups fire from Kalashnikov assault rifles and machine guns at targets at a distance of 300, 350, and 400 metres. Infantry nests are being worked out.

“The instructors are experienced military men who have gone through more than one hot spot and have good combat training. It is important not just to transfer knowledge, but to make sure that the military will be ready for anything. Therefore, the training ends on a site that imitates urban development. On the target range – buildings, shelters and manpower of the enemy. They also train groups to properly perform a safe retreat to their troops under heavy enemy fire.

“The groups work in threes. Simulate an attack. They shoot, run to a certain firing line, and then use smoke to disorient the enemy and make a retreat.

Training takes place every day for several hours. All tactics are practised with weapons in hand. Everything happens in conditions as close as possible to combat.

“After working out all the skills, these servicemen will go to the front line in the zone of a special military operation to perform combat missions.

“Gaining experience in firing is as important as supporting relatives. Everyone who is serving knows that they are waiting for him at home.

“At night, the range does not sleep, and the shooting continues. After sunset, the fighting does not end. Soldiers work out tasks in the dark. They work with night vision devices. Darkness is an ideal condition for surprise attacks and the destruction of the enemy.

“In turn, servicemen from the Western Military District, called up from the reserve as part of partial mobilization, spoke about their training at the training grounds, the specifics of performing combat missions at the forefront in the areas of the special military operation, and their mood for victory.”

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

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 345th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 3rd February 2023, Russia had lost about 129,870 personnel, 3,215 tanks, 6,388 armoured combat vehicles, 2,215 artillery units, 460 multiple launch rocket systems, 222 air defence systems, 294 warplanes, 284 helicopters, 1,952 drones, 796 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,068 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 202 units of special equipment.

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

The European Union has said that it will train an additional 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers, effectively doubling one of its military aid programmes.

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, said at the beginning of a two-day trip to Kyiv, that the EU will “stand by Ukraine for the long haul”.

She also reiterated that the EU plans to have a 10th package of sanctions in place against Russia by the anniversary date of the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, on 24th February.

The European Union also wants to work with Ukrainian prosecutors to set up an international centre in The Hague to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes committed in Ukraine, von der Leyen said.

The European Parliament has voted in favour of a roadmap outlining Ukraine’s path to becoming a member of the European Union.

The UK’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has said that sending fighter jets to Ukraine would imply “months if not years” of training and he was looking for more effective ways of helping Ukraine to secure victory.

But Mateusz Morawiecki, the Prime Minister of Poland, has said he is open to providing Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets if such a decision were to be taken in concert with NATO allies.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov, has said that Moscow is planning a major offensive to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the invasion, on 24th February.

He reportedly claimed that this could involve 500,000 Russian troops.

Two additional Russian missiles hit the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Thursday after an apartment block was destroyed in the city on Wednesday evening.

The regional governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko, has said that the latest strikes resulted in civilian casualties, but it is currently unclear how many.