Russia has claimed to have captured a US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in Ukraine and is reportedly preparing to parade it across Russia. The Russian Embassy in South Africa announced on social media that the Russian army had seized a 'fully operational' vehicle on February 26. Photos circulating online show the vehicle arriving in Moscow on a train, although the exact timing and location of the images remain unverified.
According to military news sources, the captured IFV displayed signs of armor testing, likely from strikes by a 30mm 2A42 autocannon with armor-piercing rounds. Additionally, the removal of armored tiles, known as Bradley Reactive Armor Tiles, from the sides of the vehicle suggests potential analysis by Russian forces.
This is not the first time Russia has showcased Western-donated military vehicles as trophies. In a recent video, Russian soldiers were seen field testing a captured US-made Humvee, expressing amazement at the strength of the bullet-proof glass.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously stated that the conflict in Ukraine had provided valuable insights into Western military systems, debunking myths about their superiority. He claimed that Russia had acquired data on the destruction of German tanks, American armored vehicles, British missiles, and other Western weapons systems.
Last week, Russia also reported knocking out an M1 Abrams tank near Avdiivka, marking the first time the US-made armor had been defeated in Ukrainian service. The M1 Abrams tank was considered one of the strongest and most durable tanks provided to Ukraine by Western allies.
Overall, the capture and display of Western military equipment by Russia serve as propaganda tools, highlighting perceived weaknesses in Western military technology while bolstering Russian military prowess in the ongoing conflict.
