These images show a Ukrainian drone dropping bombs on Russian soldiers and causing them to flee in all directions.

The footage shows the drone targeting a number of Russian soldiers on the battlefield, dropping a first bomb on their position and causing them to retreat.

The Russian soldiers and a military vehicle can be seen hastily leaving the scene as a second drone bomb is dropped, with at least two Russian soldiers left injured on the ground.

The remaining Russian soldiers can be seen running away in opposite directions.

The images were obtained from the 103rd Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Wednesday, 8th March, along with a statement saying: “They chased the invaders across the field like cockroaches!

“The first days of spring were not at all warm for the Russians, who were unlucky enough to catch the eye of the aerial reconnaissance of one of the battalions of the 103rd Brigade.

“With two accurate drops, our UAV operators dispersed this wandering gang in different directions, but four of them will not soon return to the formation to rob and kill Ukrainians again!

“Once again, we warn uninvited guests: you cannot hide from punishment. Get off Ukrainian land!”

The images were also relayed by the Lviv Regional State Administration along with a statement saying: “The 103rd Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dealt with the Russian invaders.

“This is how our soldiers ‘congratulate’ them on the first days of spring, giving them a special ‘warmth’. Let’s clean the earth of the unclean.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 378th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 8th March 2023, Russia had lost about 155,530 personnel, 3,436 tanks, 6,723 armoured combat vehicles, 2,463 artillery units, 488 multiple launch rocket systems, 253 air defence systems, 303 warplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,098 drones, 873 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,330 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 236 units of special equipment.

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

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that it could be an “open road” for Russian forces to capture other Ukrainian cities if they take control of Bakhmut.

He said: “This is tactical for us, we understand that after Bakhmut they could go further.”

Western officials have said that between 20,000 and 30,000 Russian soldiers have been either killed or wounded in the battle for Bakhmut since the beginning of last summer.

American media reports, citing US officials, have said that the attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines last year were potentially carried out by a pro-Ukrainian group.

The reports also said that there is currently no indication that the Ukrainian government was involved.

Russia has said that the media reports demonstrate the necessity for Moscow’s questions about what happened to be answered.

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the Ukrainian Presidency, has said that 130 prisoners of war have been exchanged with Russia.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said 90 prisoners of war had been returned by Ukraine.

Ukraine has named an armed prisoner of war who was apparently shot dead by Russian soldiers, with President Zelensky vowing to “find the murderers”.

The footage, which circulated on social media on Monday, reportedly shows a man the Ukrainian military has named as Tymofiy Mykolayovych Shadura standing in a shallow trench and smoking a cigarette before apparently being shot with automatic rifles.

The Belarusian government said that it detained a Ukrainian “terrorist group” on Tuesday that was working with Ukraine’s intelligence services to carry out sabotage operations at an airfield in Belarus.

Qin Gang, China’s Foreign Minister, has said that his country must strengthen its relationship with Russia in response to continued hostility from the United States.