Russia flaunts captured Western military gear in propaganda exhibit
Marder and Leopard - Kremlin showcases trophies. Moscow has set up an "exhibition" of captured Western equipment in Ukraine. - A brilliant idea - Peskov remarked. Zakharova made an unusual comment.
At the exhibition organised by the Russian Ministry of Defence, visitors can see over 30 pieces of heavy Western-made equipment, including the American M1 Abrams tank and Bradley armoured fighting vehicle, the German Leopard 2 tank and Marder armoured personnel carrier, and the French armoured vehicle AMX-10RC. Weapon components and documents are also on display.
The exhibition will be open for a month and will be inaugurated to commemorate the anniversary of the victory over Germany in World War II. Media had already anticipated that Russia would use the Western equipment captured in Ukraine for propaganda, especially during the May 9 parade.
Peskov "brilliant idea"
The Russian regime criticises the supply of Western weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, which it views as evidence of NATO's involvement in the conflict. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Western support for Kyiv will not alter the conflict's trajectory.
The exhibition has been launched following Russia's conquest of more eastern Ukrainian territories, taking advantage of delays in deliveries caused by disputes in the U.S. Congress.
– A brilliant idea – is how Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, described the exhibition. – The exhibition of trophy equipment will attract great interest from Moscow residents, guests of our city, and all residents of the country – he noted. – We should all see the enemy’s battered equipment - he declared.
According to the AP, Russian military bloggers have drawn parallels between this propaganda display and exhibitions of Nazi military equipment captured in the USSR during World War II.
Zakharova's comments
One of the regime's leading propagandists, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, urged foreign diplomats in Moscow to visit the exhibition to witness how the "West destroys peace on the planet." – This exhibition will be interesting to all those who still believe in mythical ‘Western values’ or fail to notice an aggression unleashed by NATO against Russia and our people, – Zakharova commented.
In the statements of Russian officials, there was no acknowledgement of the equipment aiding Ukraine in its resistance to Russian aggression and in defence of Ukrainian citizens slaughtered by Russians.
