Two Russian combat vehicles destroyed on the battlefields of northern Ukraine went on display in Warsaw on Monday, in what the Polish prime minister's senior aide said provided evidence that Kyiv could win the war. On display are: a T-72B battle tank and a 2S19 MSTA-S howitzer.
People in Warsaw gathered to see a Russian tank and a self-propelled howitzer captured by Ukrainian forces as they went on display in the Polish capital on Monday (June 27).
According to information complied by Ukrainian defence ministry and displayed alongside the captured artillery, the T-72B tank was destroyed in a tank battle in the Bucha district near Kyiv, while the 2S19 MSTA-S howitzer was captured in the north-eastern Sumy region.
"This exhibition proves that Russians can be defeated," aide Michał Dworczyk told reporters. "Many groups of people, mainly in Europe, said that the Russian army is invincible... This destroyed Russian equipment proves that determination and courage help in defeating the Russian army."
Dworczyk spoke as Russian forces bombarded Lysychansk, the last big city still held by Ukrainian troops in eastern Luhansk province, following the fall of neighbouring Sievierodonetsk over the weekend.
Among the onlookers were Taras and Victoria, a husband and wife from the western city of Lviv who left Ukraine several years ago.
"I can't imagine something like that coming your way" Victoria said, adding she hoped the war would end soon.
"We saw and destroyed many of those tanks," said James, a 56-year old lawyer from Oregon in the United States who fought with the Ukrainian army before coming to Poland.
"Fortunately, the Ukrainian army is highly motivated, very well equipped, fighting on (their) own soil, fighting for their homes, their women and children."
"Morale is still very high," he said, saying Ukrainians were fighting for their homes and families.
The tanks are also booked to go on show in Madrid and Lisbon, organisers of the display said.
Russia switched the focus of its invasion to the east of Ukraine after fierce resistance meant it was unable to capture the capital Kyiv.
Long suspicious of Russian intentions in central and eastern Europe, Poland has positioned itself as one of Kyiv's staunchest allies since President Vladimir Putin's forces invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.
The Kremlin says it launched a "special military operation" to rid Ukraine of far-right nationalists and ensure Russian security.
Kyiv and the West dismiss that as a baseless pretext for a war of aggression that has killed thousands, sent millions fleeing Ukraine, destroyed cities and driven up food and energy prices.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters