Russia Stages “Propaganda Parade” with Captured US-Made M2A2 Bradley IFV
An M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), manufactured in the United States and captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, has been transported by train to Moscow in what Western defense observers have termed a "propaganda parade."
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — An M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), manufactured in the United States and captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, has been transported by train to Moscow in what Western defense observers have termed a “propaganda parade.”
Reports indicate that the captured American armored vehicle arrived in Moscow on February 26 to be displayed at a military museum outside the Russian capital.
While Russian media reports did not specify the museum, observers believe it is likely Patriot Park in Kubinka, outside Moscow, which has become a repository for various military equipment captured by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Images of the captured Bradley IFV have circulated on Russian social media platforms.
One widely shared image on social media shows the rear of the armored vehicle riddled with what appears to be 30mm cannon fire. Observers note that Ukrainian forces repeatedly fired upon the Bradley in an attempt to destroy it and prevent its capture by Russian forces in “perfect” condition.
Since the United States supplied more than 180 Bradley IFVs to Ukraine late last year, Russian forces are said to have destroyed or damaged approximately 68 of these vehicles.
However, observers suggest the actual number of Bradley IFVs destroyed by Russian forces in Ukraine is higher than reported.
In December last year, a Russian television station aired footage of an almost intact American-made Bradley IFV captured from the battlefield in the Luhansk region of Ukraine.
The vehicle was captured by Russian forces after being disabled in combat, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to abandon it.
According to the presenter on Russia’s Channel 1, capturing the Bradley IFV in nearly perfect condition without significant damage allows Russian forces to identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
The Russian television program also featured unidentified masked individuals responsible for transporting the captured Bradley IFV back to Russia for further analysis by the country’s weapons experts.
According to these individuals, they managed to retrieve the armored vehicle under the cover of night and dense fog, approximately 500 meters from Ukrainian forces, after an initial failed attempt.
The television footage showed the Bradley IFV marked with bullet holes, which the presenter claimed were from Ukrainian drones attempting to destroy the high-tech equipment inside the abandoned vehicle.
Meanwhile, officials from the United States Department of Defense, quoted by international defense media, have refrained from commenting on concerns over the capture of the Bradley IFV by Russia.
“I will not speculate on whether this Bradley IFV has been captured or not, nor will I discuss matters of intelligence,” stated an official from the U.S. Department of Defense. — DSA
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