Russian Army Displays Captured NATO Military Vehicles Ahead of May 9 Parade

The Russian army has put on display a selection of captured NATO military vehicles, including British, American, German, Swedish, and French equipment, in a Moscow park before the May 9 Victory Day parade. The exhibition, which features more than 30 units of military hardware from various countries, is part of a month-long display showcasing the captured equipment.

Among the vehicles on display are a British Saxon armored personnel carrier, an American Bradley tank, a Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, and a French-made AMX-10RC armored fighting vehicle. The display also includes destroyed American M1 Abrams tanks and German-made Leopard main battle tanks. Vehicles with British and US flags can be seen, along with a banner proclaiming that "Our victory is inevitable".

The Russian defense ministry has listed examples of military equipment from the US, UK, Germany, France, and other Western countries that will be featured in the exhibition. The captured vehicles are seen as "trophies" by the Russian government, which is highlighting its ability to seize Western-supplied weapons used by Ukraine.

Why this matters: The display of captured NATO military vehicles is part of Russia's efforts to showcase its military prowess and the perceived failures of Western weapons on the battlefield. It also underscores the ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to showcase the seized vehicles during the annual May 9 event commemorating Russia's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The move is viewed as Putin drawing parallels between his invasion of Ukraine and Russia's resistance against the Nazis. Ukraine, which suffered significant territorial losses to Russia during World War II, has accused Russia of exploiting their shared history to justify its aggression.

The exhibition comes as Russia has lost a significant number of tanks in the Ukraine war, with more than 3,000 tanks damaged or destroyed. The Russian military has been resupplying the frontline from its strategic reserves of armor while boosting defense spending to compensate for the shortage. Last year, Russia presented a similar exhibition featuring more than 800 captured weapons.

Key Takeaways

• Russia displays captured NATO military vehicles in Moscow park before Victory Day.
• Vehicles include British, American, German, Swedish, and French equipment.
• Russia showcases seized Western-supplied weapons used by Ukraine as "trophies".
• Display aims to showcase Russia's military prowess and the failures of Western weapons.
• Russia has lost over 3,000 tanks in the Ukraine war, resupplying from strategic reserves.