Espreso. Global

White House to look into Russia’s claims on US vehicles used in Belgorod raid, critics say pictures are staged

24 May, 2023 Wednesday
21:12

White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday that Washington will look into reports that US military vehicles were used in an incursion into Russia's Belgorod region

Claims that US vehicles were used in an incursion into Russia's Belgorod region will be investigated by American officials, according to the White House, Sky News reports. 

White House spokesperson John Kirby said it has been clear with Kyiv that Washington does not support any such use of US-made equipment.

Kremlin comments on US vehicles allegedly used in Belgorod cross-border attack

Earlier the Russian defense ministry has released pictures of what they claim are abandoned Western military vehicles used by Ukraine – including what Sky News has identified as US-made Humvees.

The Kremlin said it is “no secret” that increasing amounts of Western military equipment is being used by the Ukrainian armed forces, following reports that US-made military vehicles were utilized in the cross-border attack by anti-Putin Russian nationals. 

“It is not a secret for us that the direct and indirect involvement of these Western countries in this conflict is growing every day,” spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted by CNN as telling reporters Wednesday. 

Captured US vehicles or staged propaganda images?

Some critics claim that at least part of the pictures have been staged – pointing to details in the images which they say suggest the scene could have been choreographed.

Commenting on photos of two US Humvees stuck in a trench, social media investigators say the vehicles were lowered there by a crane.

“On the driver’s side rear of one of the vehicles there appears to be damage from an explosion. Rust in the non-painted areas suggests the damage is not new. There is also not damage to the dirt area near the vehicle, which would occur from an explosion. It is clear that this vehicle was disabled long before being moved to this location,” a Twitter user named Photo Wanderer says.

Another one points out that no gravel or dirt is stuck in the tire tread and shows other details.

“This Humvee slammed into the trench wall head on but no soil was pushed ahead of it. Which you would have even if it hit at 10MPH. It’s a heavy vehicle. It’s going to displace soil on impact. This vehicle was placed there off a flatbed,” Jack’s House tweeted.

He supposes that the vehicles were captured in Ukraine months ago.

Moscow said on May 23 that it had fought off an assault after two days of battles with attackers who had staged a cross-border raid. Russia blamed Ukrainian "saboteurs" for the attack, but Kyiv has denied the claim. 

Two Russian groups, the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps, have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday that more than 70 “saboteurs” were killed, while the group of anti-Putin Russian nationals denied having any losses




Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
29 March
16:19
Russia is deploying tanks to Crimea to defend peninsula — Atesh guerillas
16:00
New Russian ammunition can reach any district of Kharkiv - official
15:40
Exclusive
Ukraine will start receiving ammunition in April, this will significantly change dynamics on battlefield - military expert Zgurets
15:20
Russian drone attacks car in Dnipropetrovsk region killing man 
15:00
OPINION
Why do Poles not consider themselves "cowards"?
14:40
"My Good Friday began in bunker": British Ambassador responds to Russia's attack on Ukraine on March 29
14:20
Nearly 50% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland express desire to return home after full-scale invasion
14:00
"West cannot be shocked by death of human being anymore": Ukrainian director presents documentary about animals and war
13:40
Syrskyi reveals how many Ukrainian soldiers were captured by Russia during Avdiivka withdrawal
13:20
Drone fragments found near Ukrainian border in Romania
13:00
Exclusive
Russia plans to launch railroad from occupied Mariupol to Ilovaisk
12:45
Moldova does not confirm information about Russian missile flying over its territory
12:25
Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ships could change warfare strategy at sea - Ukraine's top General
12:10
IAEA experts at ZNPP report daily explosions, postpone fuel storage facility visit amid air raid
11:55
Massive Russian attack: Ukrainian air defense destroys 84 Russia’s air targets
11:40
“Our assistance is needed now”: US Ambassador Brink reacts to Russian attack on Ukraine
11:25
Exclusive
Russia moves reserves from Kupyansk direction to advance to Lyman — platoon commander of 95th Air Assault Brigade
11:10
Russian aircraft 'loses' ninth bomb over Belgorod region in a week - media
10:55
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine's power plants: 6 people injured, TPP and HPP damaged
10:22
Updated
Ukraine proposes Poland 5 steps to unblock border — Prime Ministers’ meeting results
09:53
Russia loses 820 soldiers, 27 armored vehicles and 56 UAVs  in a day — Ukraine's General Staff
09:30
ISW reveals how much Russia has advanced in Ukraine this year
2024, Thursday
28 March
22:30
Exclusive
Russia uses guided aerial bombs, poisonous grenades, phosphorus in eastern Ukraine
22:13
Ukraine repels 11 Russian attacks in Bakhmut direction amidst 48 combat clashes over last day — General Staff
22:00
Number of missing persons exceeds 50,000 during full-scale war in Ukraine - Ukrainian Police
21:44
In Melitopol, Russians use cars with Pelena EW system to block mobile phones, protect against explosive devices
21:30
OPINION
'Special military operation' against Ukraine has become Russia's 'holy war’
21:16
Aid for Ukraine is critically important: Zelenskyy talks to House Speaker Johnson
21:01
Deputy commander of 3rd Assault Brigade tells about Russian priority in Avdiivka sector
20:46
OPINION
Another Russian offensive on Kharkiv...
20:30
Exclusive
Russian threat looms over Poland, government does not care — Polish politician Czech
20:15
Exclusive
Defence Express reveals details on Russia’s use of UMPB D-30SN bomb in Kharkiv strike on March 27
19:57
Russian military aircraft crashes into sea near Sevastopol: pilot ejects
19:40
Exclusive
100,000 troops not enough for Kharkiv offensive: Ukrainian military suggest what Russia needs to capture city 
19:19
President Zelenskyy names when Russia may launch new major offensive on Ukraine
19:00
Special vehicles, drones and weapons: Germany’s new aid package for Ukraine
18:39
Russian Orthodox Church declares war against Ukraine "holy" 
18:20
Russians refuse to let their military, who signed contracts for 6 months, leave front line
17:59
Russia targets village in Kharkiv region, killing and injuring two people
17:40
Evidence of warming: Ukrainian scientists discover new plant species near Vernadsky Research Base
More news