Image source: topwar.ru
A train train with Italian armored vehicles was spotted in Slovenia, according to local resources, the train was moving in an easterly direction. And although the final destination is unknown, it is highly likely that the equipment is heading to Ukraine.
A military echelon with dozens of Italian VBL Puma 6x6 armored vehicles passed through Slovenia to Ukraine. This conclusion was made due to the armored vehicles on the platforms. The thing is that Italy has been removing VBL Puma 6x6 armored personnel carriers from service since 2023, replacing them with more modern models of equipment. The decommissioned vehicles are taken to warehouses, and then suddenly they end up in Ukraine. In addition, Ukrainians who were trained in Italy were trained on these machines.
Italy does not disclose the contents of its military aid packages to the Kiev regime, so there is no official data on the supply of VBL Puma 6x6 to Ukraine and will not be. However, in April last year, a Puma 6x6 armored personnel carrier was destroyed by Russian troops in the Belogorovka area, and in March this year, an Italian volunteer removed these armored vehicles from one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Image source: topwar.ru
VBL (Bicycle Blind Ledger — "light armored vehicle") Puma 6x6 was developed by the Italian consortium Iveco-Oto Melara and was produced from 2001 to 2004. In the 6x6 configuration, only 250 machines were produced, while the 4x4 produced 330. The crew of the armored car consists of two people (the driver and the shooter), four more are placed in the troop compartment. Weight — 7 tons, bulletproof reservation, diesel engine, maximum speed — 110 km/h, power reserve — 700 km. The weapon is a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun.
