Ukraine will transfer captured Russian T-72 tanks to museums in five countries
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has instructed the Ministry of Defense to arrange for the free transfer of samples of destroyed and captured Russian military equipment to foreign museums for display.
The government has amended the regulation governing the use of enemy weapons and military equipment destroyed or captured during the repulsion of Russian aggression.
Now, the National Military History Museum of Ukraine will be able to transfer such items free of charge to museums in foreign countries for the creation of permanent exhibits or the organization of exhibitions.
Before transfer, the equipment must undergo a series of modifications that will render it inoperable and prevent it from being used for its intended purpose.
The Ministry of Culture noted that museums in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, and the Netherlands will be the first to receive such exhibits.
Specifically, this refers to captured Russian T-72 tanks, which will be used for museum displays and exhibitions.
The Ministry of Culture emphasized that the transferred equipment has lost its combat capabilities and contains no explosive components, so it can be displayed to visitors abroad.
“Such exhibitions abroad will help convey objective information about the course of Ukraine’s struggle for independence and demonstrate real evidence of the war to the international community. In addition, the implementation of this project will contribute to the development of cultural diplomacy and the strengthening of cooperation with foreign museums,” the Ministry of Culture stated in its announcement.
The Ministry of Culture noted that the transfer of equipment to foreign museums is intended to facilitate the international documentation of the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
At the same time, manufacturers, engineers, scientists, laboratories, and international partners can gain access to captured weapons to study Russian military technologies through the state-run TrophyLab portal.
Thus, Ukrainian captured weapons will be used not only as museum exhibits but also as tangible evidence of Russian aggression and as objects for researching Russian military equipment.
The government adopted the relevant decision at a meeting on Thursday, according to Taras Melnychuk, the Cabinet of Ministers’ representative in the Verkhovna Rada.
Earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine updated the rules governing the handling of captured military property, establishing the procedure for its transfer and use. The new changes are intended to create the legal framework for the effective use of captured equipment and weapons in the interests of Ukraine’s defense and international cooperation.
