These images appear to show a Russian soldier giving a Ukrainian drone the finger moments before the area is blown to hell in massive explosions.

The footage, which appears to have been shot from a drone, shows what appeared to be Russian soldiers on the ground at a farmhouse, standing next to a military vehicle. The drone zooms in, at which point one of the soldiers appears to look up and spot it, raising his hand and giving it the finger.

The footage then shows the area being blown up.

The images were shared online by Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, along with the caption: “Zaporizhzhia region. The filigree work of the special forces of the 15th Main Directorate of the DVKR SBU [Security Service of Ukraine].”

Ukrainian media have reported that the operation killed 82 Russian soldiers, although this figure has not been independently verified.

The adviser reportedly said: “The cost of such an attack copter – a drone made by the Aerorazvedka association – is only 35-40 thousand dollars. And the effect in terms of destroyed Russian equipment would be measured in billions of dollars a month.”

He added: “This is an inexpensive and effective method of fighting the occupiers.”

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 96th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 30th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 30,350 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,349 tanks, 3,282 armoured fighting vehicles, 643 artillery systems, 205 multiple launch rocket systems, 93 anti-aircraft systems, 207 warplanes, 174 helicopters, 2,258 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 507 unmanned aerial vehicles, 48 units of special equipment, and 118 cruise missiles.

Last week, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces attacked over 40 towns in the eastern Donbas region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that makes it easier for Ukrainians in occupied areas to become citizens of Russia.

Russia has also done away with the upper age limit for contractual service in its military.

Ukraine has called Russia’s offer to lift the blockade of its Black Sea ports in return for the lifting of some sanctions “blackmail”.

The blockade has led to shortages in wheat and cooking oil across the world.