A train carrying war "trophies" captured in Syria left Moscow on Saturday on a two-month tour to parade Russia's military gains in the eight-year conflict. The train went on show at Moscow's Kazansky station, before heading to Russian-annexed Crimea. It will then make its way to the Russian Far East, before returning to Moscow in April via Arctic, visiting 60 cities along the way. The Russian defence ministry said in a statement that it will travel 28,500 kilometres carrying "trophy weapons".
On Saturday, Muscovites were invited to see the train, which carries tanks and other military vehicles - many with Arabic writing on them - captured from Syrian rebels and jihadists. Visitors could board carriages displaying captured AK-47 assault rifles and drones.
The train also has a shop selling military souvenirs. Singers performed patriotic songs at the train station as soldiers presented the heavy weaponry to visitors. The event was planned for Russia's Defender of the Fatherland Day - a Soviet-era military holiday still celebrated on February 23. Aleksey, a 31-year-old railway worker from Moscow who refused to give his last name, brought his toddler son to see the train. "I am really proud that they (the Russian army) are winning in this far away region," he told AFP.