Watch incredible moment Ukrainian ‘flying tank’ Mi-24 helicopter gunship swoops just metres over trucks and cars

THIS is the incredible moment a fearsome Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter swooped just metres over trucks and cars. The gunship, dubbed a “flying tank” thanks to its in-air abilities, flew alongside commuters in the extraordinary footage shared on Telegram. The Mi-24 swooped just metres above the traffic in the dramatic footage The formidable chopper can be stuffed with artillery and up to 8 troops The pilot of the low-flying chopper showed off his gliding skills as he hovered astonishingly close to the vehicles on the motorway. But apart from keeping a safe distance, the motorists seemed relatively unphased to spot one of Ukraine‘s most formidable airborne weapons alongside them. The armed assault helicopter, believed to be part of the nation’s fleet of Mi-24’s, boasts built-in machine guns and turboshaft engines. The Soviet-designed aircraft is an elite fighting force in the skies, often used in aerial combat and for air support. READ MORE ON UKRAINE PUTIN IT ON Putin fires assault rifle in 'display of might' as he visits Russian conscripts BREAKING VLAD Vlad orders MARTIAL LAW in occupied Ukraine & shuts border as nuke fears grow It can carry pods crammed with unguided rockets, anti-tank missiles, guns and even bombs on its six hardpoints on stub wings. And there is still enough room for a spacious passenger compartment to carry eight troops for air-assault operations. Known in NATO circles by its codename “Hind”, the chopper has proved a popular aircraft of choice for both Russia and Ukraine. According to Flight Global, Ukraine had 34 operational Mi-24’s prior to the invasion – which were quickly scrambled on the first day of the war. Most read in The Sun LIZ QUITS Liz Truss RESIGNS as Prime Minister after 44 days in power MAD VLAD Putin has ALREADY tried to detonate nuke but was ‘sabotaged’, insider claims DOUBLE TAKE Katie Price fans say same thing about new pic after fourth round of lip fillers IN THE COLD Coronation Street spoilers: Daniel and Daisy homeless after baby bombshell FLAT OUT I'm skinny-shamed for my no-cup boobs… but trolls won't stop me wearing sexy tops DOLLAR BALE'S Bale 23rd top MLS earner with ex-Liverpool ace on nearly FOUR TIMES as much The Czech Republic donated some of its collection of the gunships to Ukraine in May as the invasion ramped up. Footage from the frontline has demonstrated the destructive capabilities of the Hinds, as Zelensky’s men unloaded a barrage of rockets. They were reportedly used in a dramatic operation back in April which sparked a huge fireball at an oil storage facility in Belgorod, Russia. Moscow accused Ukraine of managing to slip a pair of Mi-24 attack choppers across the border undetected before unleashing an air strike on the depot, causing a massive explosion as huge plumes of black smoke filled the air. Putin claims his military have shot down a string of the helicopters throughout the war, although only one loss has been confirmed. On the contrary, streams of footage has emerged of Russia’s stash of Mi-24’s taking a humiliating beating on the battlefield. Video captured the moment one of the flying birds was blasted out of the sky over a Kyiv reservoir before plunging into the water. Ukrainian forces are continuing to tighten the noose around Putin’s troops as they make further gains in the east and south. UKRAINE’S ADVANCE Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed head of Kherson, said the west bank of the Dnipro River was being evacuated amid fears of a lightning Ukrainian counteroffensive on Wednesday. The key port city of Kherson controls the only land route to the Crimea peninsula – which Russia seized in 2014 – and the mouth of the Dnipro river. The city has been captured by the Russians since the beginning of the war in February. But as Zelensky’s men continue their lightning counteroffensive, they have been getting closer to the occupied Black Sea city and Russian troops have been driven back by up to 20 miles in the last few weeks. Russian lines are said to be dramatically collapsing in Ukraine – with a former NATO commander claiming it could be Russia’s biggest military disaster for 100 years. In a fresh package of moves to counter battlefield defeats, Putin announced a new special coordinating council to work with Russia’s regions to boost Moscow’s war effort. And he also declared martial law in four partially occupied regions of Ukraine that Russia claims as its own and restricted movement in and out of regions near Ukraine. Read More on The Sun MUM’S HEARTACHE I can’t afford a coffin for my terminally ill son because bills are so high FAREWELL PIPO Tearful moment vet gives crying chimp pal Pipo a final kiss goodbye As Putin grows increasingly desperate, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has dashed to Washington for crisis talks amid mounting concern that Mad Vlad’s finger is inching toward the nuke trigger. The tyrant said last month that Moscow was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend its “territorial integrity”. East2WestMoscow accused Ukraine of blasting rockets from one of their choppers to trigger a major oil depot explosion[/caption] APUkrainian troops have continued to push back against Putin[/caption]