Russia showcases captured Western military gear ahead of Victory Day

Bild indicates that this year's Victory Day parade in Russia will occur eight days earlier than usual. Starting May 1 at Victory Park in Moscow, an exhibition of Western equipment captured or destroyed in Ukraine will be on display. The exhibition aims to highlight the achievements of Putin's forces in the so-called "special operation."

The Kremlin's aim with this exhibition is propagandistic, seeking to showcase Russia's success in the conflict against Ukrainian fighters and their Western allies.

At the exhibition, attendees will encounter vehicles and firearms of foreign armies, combat documents, maps, ideological literature, and equipment, as menioned by Bild. Visitors will have the chance to see German Leopard 2 tanks, Marder vehicles, French AMX-10RC tanks, Swedish CV90 IFVs, and American Bradley vehicles up close. This equipment originates from military aid provided to Ukraine by its allies. Footage showcasing these machines being transported to Moscow has surfaced online, with one clip distinctly featuring the Leopard 2 tank.

Ukrainian armored forces are outfitted with Leopard 2 tanks, primarily models 2A4 and 2A6. These models are among the most favored tanks in the European sector of NATO, marking the advent of third-generation armored warfare technology in various military forces. Leopard 2s were first deployed by the Bundeswehr in 1979, leading to the subsequent development of numerous upgraded versions over the years. The 2A4 model, in particular, is highly regarded by the Ukrainians. Developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it is often hailed as the zenith of Cold War-era tank development.

This variant introduced a digital fire control system allowing diverse ammunition types and enhanced armor incorporating titanium and tungsten layers. The Leopard 2A6, a further evolution of the German tank, emerged in the early 2000s with a design emphasis on increased firepower and augmented armor.