Russians showed echelon of T-54 tanks in Moscow region, which grabbed attention

A video showing the process of transporting Russian T-54 tanks to the frontline after they have been decommissioned and restored has been posted on social media. The footage was allegedly shot at one of the railway junctions in the Moscow region, and we can see at least a dozen T-54s on the platforms, although the exact number of vehicles is difficult to count due to the low quality of the video, Defense Express reports.

"However, if we take a closer look at the video footage, we can notice some important details about the process of delivering rare enemy tanks to the frontline and how this process is actually accompanied.

These images illustrate the basic configuration of T-54 tanks, lacking additional upgrades typically carried out at repair plants. It seems Russians prioritize quick deployment from storage bases to combat zones," experts note.

Recently captured footage reveals a hit T-54 equipped with improvised dynamic protection and a turret modification to accommodate a machine gunner in field conditions.

Photo: A damaged T-54 of the Russian Army, summer 2024, open source image

The next point worth noting is that this echelon of rare T-54s is actually standing, not moving. This is happening at one of the railway junctions in the Moscow region, which is the core of the Russian railway system, and we can see that this echelon, in addition to platforms with tanks, also includes civilian hopper cars for bulk cargo.

From this we can conclude that it is not a common practice for Russians to allow trains with military cargo from deep within the territory of the Russian Federation to go ahead of other trains, or as it is called in railway slang, "to give everywhere a green light".

But maybe the Russians themselves perceive this as pointless. According to regulations, a freight train with priority clearance is allowed a maximum speed of 400 kilometers per day.

There's another notable aspect: in the footage, a group of teenagers clad in military attire is visible, likely representing a local faction of Putin's "Youth army." They might have been brought to the railway station for propaganda, showcasing the T-54 tanks intended for combat against the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

But judging by the voice-overs, the real effect of this "educational" event on its audience is so-so, they are more interested in each other's mobile phones.