Dramatic moment Russian tank blown to pieces by Ukraine in stunning close-combat video

The Russian armoured vehicle was hit in a close-combat strike. (Image: Getty)

A shocking new video has revealed the moment a Russian armoured personnel carrier (APC) is completely destroyed in a brave display of close-combat warfare by Ukrainian troops.

The Russian vehicle is seen moving towards two Ukrainian tanks in a field purportedly in the Kursk region before being dealt a dramatic blow.

The nearest tank fires at the APC from close range, sending it up in a cloud of smoke, forcing the Russian troops inside to quickly get out and run away.

The video was posted on Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov's Telegram channel, with the footage reportedly being provided by the Ukrainian Ground Forces' 225th Assault Battalion.

Butusov added that the Ukrainian tank involved in the close-combat attack was part of the 17th Tank Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his plan to end the nearly three-year war with Russia, which has received mixed reactions from Western allies.

In the "victory plan", he continues to push for a formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO and permission to use Western long-range missiles to strike military targets in Russia.

US backing is crucial if Zelensky is to get support from other allies, but Joe Biden's administration is said to be cautious against committing to the plan before election day on November 5, as it might polarise potential voters.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said: "It’s not my position to publicly evaluate his plan. We have been supporting him by providing security assistance in a major way for two-and-a-half years. We are going to continue to do that."

Zelensky described his main goal as "to strengthen us and force Russia to come to the negotiating table with all partners".

Europe has also been sceptical to supply Ukraine with long-range capabilities to strike Russian territory, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stood firm in this position following the release of the victory plan.

He said after refusing to supply Kyiv with Taurus long-range cruise missiles: "Our position is clear: We are supporting Ukraine as strongly as possible.

"At the same time, we are taking care that NATO does not become a party to the war so that this war doesn’t culminate in an even bigger catastrophe."

Ukrainian officials say there are no other guarantees for Ukraine besides NATO to protect against Russia’s aggression after the war.