The US Department of Defense has officially released three previously leaked videos of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) saying it wants people to know the truth.

A statement on the Department of Defense website confirmed the videos have been reviewed and releasing the footage does not breach security.

The footage has been officially released to "clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real," according to Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough.

The videos were first published by the New York Times in 2017.