Black Hawk up! Taliban test-fly captured Afghan air force UH-60 helicopter 

Footage has emerged from Afghanistan showing what appears to be a Taliban test of a captured US-made UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

The one-minute clip uploaded to Twitter shows the $6m Blackhawk helicopter, described as having been captured from Afghan security forces, moving along the tarmac at a seemingly otherwise deserted location.

Two men watch the chopper complete a loop of the area which is believed to be Kandahar airfield, where two cars are also visible in shot.

‘Taliban testing a captured Afghan UH-60,’ the post accompanying the video read. At no point did the helicopter leave the ground.

It is not clear if the UH-60 is the same that was seized by the Taliban on August 14 when images and footage of members of the group operating the $6million piece of equipment were shared on social media.

The one-minute clip uploaded to Twitter shows a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, described as having been captured from Afghan security forces, moving along the tarmac at a seemingly otherwise deserted location

A series of videos also showed insurgents flying captured Russian choppers around the city of Kandahar.

It came as evidence emerged that the Taliban had also seized American-made Black Hawk helicopters, made famous in the 2001 Ridley Scott blockbuster Black Hawk Down.

The Afghan government pilots who fly the operational Russian helicopters were turned over to the Taliban, while the US helicopters were likely grounded by a lack of spare parts from the United States. 

The White House has spent billions of dollars on supplying the Afghan military with the necessary weapons and equipment to wipe out the Taliban, but following the collapse of local armed forces, their investment is now effectively being used by the insurgents themselves.

Earlier this month, a series of videos also showed insurgents flying captured Russian choppers around the city of Kandahar [File photo]

A Taliban fighter poses with a US-made Afghan air force Blackhawk helicopter at captured Kandahar airfield [File photo]

A series of videos shared on social media showed insurgents flying Russian-made aircraft around the city of Kandahar [File photo]

Social media in the lead up to the fall of Kabul was awash with clips of fighters seizing weapons caches, but the taking of such high profile helicopters represented a significant statement of intent.  

The latest footage comes as countries continue to scramble to evacuate their citizens and others from Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline for the withdrawal of the United States.

On Tuesday, the Taliban announced it was closing the airport road for Afghans, who were told they could no longer flee.

Hours later, U.S. President Joe Biden said that evacuation efforts were ‘on pace’ to finish by the end of the month.

The White House said it believed foreigners and Afghans in need could still reach the airport. 

The result has been continuing chaos around Hamid Karzai International Airport, where thousands of desperate people are seeking safety. 

On Tuesday, the Taliban announced it was closing the airport road for Afghans, who were told they could no longer flee. Pictured: People are evacuated by the U.S. Air Force on Tuesday

There have been days of chaos around Hamid Karzai International Airport as people are trying desperately to flee the country