Rumor of Tank Delivery Shift: Could Putin Be Sending Tanks to Libya Instead of the Ukrainian Battlefront?
Hitting the Wrong Target: Why Putin Is Sending Tanks to Libya Instead of Ukraine
By: Babett Gumbrecht
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As images emerge of 150 pristine armored vehicles on a military training ground in Benghazi, Libya, concern mounts among Russian war supporters and military bloggers. The Kremlin is alleged to have exported these high-tech military vehicles, while their counterparts in Ukraine face a deadly shortage of equipment. So, why is Putin prioritizing armored vehicles for Libya over the Ukrainian frontline?
High-tech Tanks on Parade: Libya's Display of Russian Military Might
According to Defence Blog, a parade showcasing modern armored vehicles, including Spartak and Tiger models, amphibious tracked vehicles, and Soviet-era tanks, took place in Libya. Additionally, the event displayed BMP-2 vehicles with drone defense cages, Pantsir-S1 and Pantsir-S1E air defense systems, and Tor-M2E ground-to-air missile systems.
Reports suggest that this equipment was delivered to the Libyan National Army under General Khalifa Haftar, following a meeting with Putin in 2023. While the exact timeline of these deliveries remains unclear, it has left many Russians questioning the Kremlin's priorities during an active conflict.
Russian Irrritation: Domestic Needs Over Democracy's Call?
One prominent Russian military blogger voiced the frustration of pro-Kremlin ranks on Telegram, asking, "Why are we sending brand-new armored vehicles abroad when our troops have to make do with pickups and weld metal sheets onto civillian trucks?" Complaints about the loss of Russian military vehicles in Ukraine, reportedly over 11,583 since the beginning of the year, have added fuel to this debate.
{Enrichment Data} With Soviet-era connections and long-standing Russian support, General Haftar and the Libyan National Army (LNA) provide an ideal platform for Moscow to expand its influence and secure strategic interests in North Africa. Militarily, this presence strengthens the alliance between Russia and Haftar, and geostrategically, it offers potential access to natural resources like gold and oil reserves[1][2]. Domestically, the sale of these armored vehicles can support Russia's military-industrial complex, helping maintain production lines and export revenues even under current sanctions[1].
{Enrichment Data} Russia's display of armored vehicles comes amid growing criticism on the battlefield in Ukraine. Critics argue that the Kremlin's focus on external military aid reflects a misaligned set of priorities in the midst of ongoing conflict[1].
References
[1] "Libya: Russia's New Frontline in North Africa," Europe's World, (accessed 17 April 2023), https://europeworld.eu/magazine/libya-russias-new-frontline-in-north-africa/
[2] "Russia's Role in the Libyan Conflict," Atlantic Council, (accessed 17 April 2023), https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/russias-role-in-the-libyan-conflict/
Amid mounting concerns from war supporters and military bloggers, questions arise about Russia's priorities, as images emerge of high-tech military vehicles in Libya, while Ukraine faces a shortage.
The delivery of armored vehicles to the Libyan National Army, despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine, has sparked frustration among pro-Kremlin ranks, with some questioning why Russia prioritizes armored vehicles for Libya over the Ukrainian frontline.
