A photo showing a Leopard tank allegedly destroyed in Ukraine by the Russian Wagner militia has inflamed the Russian web in recent days, to the point of having to be denied by the armed group itself.
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Photos that have spread online show a completely destroyed Leopard tank, the turret torn off following an obvious explosion.
On the web, Internet users began to relay the information that the tank was destroyed by Wagner fighters. Another false information circulating suggests that “German-Polish mercenaries” who operated the tank were killed.
However, the photos were, in fact, taken in Turkey in 2018. The tank had been destroyed during a Turkish operation once morest the Kurdish forces of the YPG, information confirmed by the Turkish army which had deplored the death of six soldiers , explained the fact-checking account Fact’ory.
Despite everything, the rumor of this first success once morest a Western tank was widely relayed in Russia, to the point where the Wagner group was directly challenged on its Telegram account.
“So far there have been no fights with the Leopards. As soon as we have destroyed one, we will inform you,” responded Wagner boss Evgueni Prigojine in an audio statement translated by TF1.
According to an official of the self-proclaimed republic of Donetsk, which is fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, the first Leopard tanks sent by Western countries have been seen near Bakhmout, the scene of terrible fighting which has monopolized attention for weeks.
“There have been reports of Leopard tanks appearing near Artemovsk (the Russian name for Bakhmout). […] There’s no need to sensationalise that. With the muddy terrain at the moment, it will be difficult for heavy vehicles like the Leopard to move, ”said Yan Gagin in an interview with Russia 1 on Tuesday, according to comments relayed by CNN.
Poland announced last week that the first Leopard tanks it donated to Ukraine have arrived in the war-torn country.
