Ukraine crisis: T-72 tank shoots hole in Russian denial

[EddyTheDog]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28961080

Russia has consistently denied sending tanks into Ukraine, arguing that any vehicles used by separatist forces there must have been captured from the Ukrainian army itself.

But now experts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London have told the BBC that they have identified a Russian tank in a separatist column in eastern Ukraine that they say could only have come from across the border in Russia.

Joseph Dempsey, an IISS analyst, has studied video footage reportedly taken on 26 August in Sverdlovsk, Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. The video shows a convoy of military vehicles.

Whilst date and location are unconfirmed, he says the operator of the convoy is apparent: flags associated with the separatist movement are clearly displayed and some vehicles feature bright green areas, a common feature of separatist armour.

The mixed convoy includes at least three T-72B1 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) but it is the appearance of a lone, more modern T-72 variant (shown below) that is of particular significance.

[CAHEK]

Syrian president Hafez Al Assad called the T-72 "the best tank in the world

[Seth Manson]

Originally Posted by CAHEK

Syrian president Hafez Al Assad called the T-72 "the best tank in the world

Well, he certainly is delusional.

[1215]

tanks are cool.