Russia steals military vehicles from Armenia, sends them to Ukraine Bulgarian Military reports

Bulgarian Military website has published an article arguing that a video circulating on social media depicts the transit of extensive Russian machinery from a base in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, heading back to Russia. Caliber.Az reprints the article.

Investigation:

In a recent video depicting the movement of Russian Peacekeepers out of Artsakh, the RU PKs can be seen withdrawing a substantial amount of equipment, including least 20 BTR APCs.

However, among the equipment are at least two likely *Armenian* BMP-1/2 IFVs.

1/ pic.twitter.com/Vdi21BlF2H

— Arbalet Intelligence (@Arbaletintel) November 4, 2023

The compilation of vehicles speculated to be included encompasses two Armenian-origin BMP-1/2s. This interesting discovery implies that these might have been procured by the Russians following Azerbaijan’s control over the region. 

The footage below further highlights the Russian BTR-82A wheeled infantry combat vehicles and distinct truck-mounted vehicles. However, two makeshift structures, visually identical to sheds, demand the keenest observation.

In video footage circulating of Russian peacekeepers' military equipment being moved from Artsakh, a closed container appears to contain an infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) in the camouflage of the Artsakh Defense Army. pic.twitter.com/TcbxU67KoO

— 301🇦🇲 (@301arm) November 3, 2023

Armenian camouflage pattern

While the first one doesn’t disclose any extraordinary features, a detailed analysis of the second reveals the front wheel of a BMP-1/2 infantry combat vehicle. The vehicle dons a camouflage pattern that is strikingly different from that employed by the Russian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

The second vehicle of its kind is suspected to be in the first shed. The implications suggest that the Russians might be seizing equipment. This equipment was previously used by the Armenian forces. They used it to defend Nagorno-Karabakh. Anticipations are that the captured vehicles are likely to appear in the Russian fleet which may potentially be seen in Ukraine. The Arbalet Intelligence team, on website X, provides an insightful analysis of the entire situation. 

It’s hypothesized that the Russians have potentially captured a significant assortment of vehicles and equipment. The Azerbaijanis have openly declared their acquisition of various Armenian-origin equipment during their occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

There’s a possibility that some of the equipment might be sold to the Russians, pending evaluation of its long-term relevance to the Azerbaijani armed forces. 

The Russians gain an upper hand from this situation. This is because several of the vehicles and equipment types used by forces stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh closely align with those of the Russian military. Thus, there is no necessity for additional training for their soldiers.

The stolen Indian T-90 Bhishma tanks

Girish Linganna, an Indian journalist and Defense and aerospace analyst, suggested that Indian-owned tanks are seeing use by the Russian army in their conflict with Ukraine. This accusation was made during an interview with Frontier India. Linganna also operates as a Director at ADD Engineering Components [India] Pvt Ltd. It is an offshoot of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany, which has manufacturing operations in Russia.

Linganna maintains that India has imposed sanctions on Russia over the use of these tanks, implying that Russia retained and used these tanks without obtaining the necessary permission. 

He states that the T-90 Bhishma, a tank owned by India, was sent to Russia with the original intent of undergoing modernization testing. This statement comes just after India’s recent official announcement that there were no issues regarding Russian equipment, their modernization, or the availability of replacement parts. 

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reassured journalists of this during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. 

This unfolding scenario began with a video circulating on Telegram showing a Russian T-90 tank operated by Russian soldiers. Upon scrutinizing the footage, it appears to be a T-90S Bhishma tank – identified as the Indian variant of the export version, T-90C, of the T-90.