This is the moment Russian soldiers ski behind advancing tanks before taking their positions in the Siberian wilderness and firing on a mock enemy.

The winter war games took place at the Yurginsky training ground in the district of Yurginsky in the Russian region of Kemerovo Oblast.

The Russian Ministry of Defence shared footage of the exercises on social media on 2nd February with the message: “Servicemen of the motorised rifle unit of the combined arms formation of the Central Military District (CVO) are improving their skills in carrying out combat training tasks using ski equipment in difficult climatic conditions at the Yurginsky training ground in the Kemerovo region.

“Personnel of the motorised rifle unit made a 10-kilometre march across rough terrain in full combat gear using ski equipment, during which they repelled an attack by a mock enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance group, and then performed live firing from AK-74 assault rifles in the same area.

“In addition, the servicemen practised skiing techniques and methods with military equipment. Cables were tied to the infantry fighting vehicle, and the servicemen carried out accelerated movements through the two-metre deep snow.

“This method is designed for accelerated advancement in thick snow and allows them not to waste time dismounting, and instead be immediately ready to perform combat duties.”

Lieutenant Nikolai Zhushma said around 200 servicemen of the motorised rifle formation took part in the exercises, adding that they practised ski shooting from a standing position, lying down, and kneeling.