URGENT UPDATE: A shocking new video released by Russian state media shows a captured U.S.-made armored vehicle flying both American and Russian flags in Ukraine. This footage, emerging from the front lines in Zaporizhzhia, underscores escalating tensions amid ongoing peace talks.
The video, published by RT on August 18, 2025, features what appears to be a M113 armored personnel carrier commandeered from Ukrainian forces. In a highly unusual propaganda display, this armored vehicle is depicted operating with both flags prominently displayed. The implications of this footage are significant, reflecting Russia’s attitude toward the fragile peace negotiations.
Ukrainian officials are alarmed, interpreting the video as a blatant provocation. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, stated that Russia is using American symbolism to further its aggressive agenda. “In fact, the Russians are using the symbolism of the United States in their own terrorist, aggressive war with the killing of civilians,” Yermak asserted on the Telegram messaging app.
The U.S. Department of Defense has sent over 900 M113s to Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. However, open-source intelligence site Oryx reports that at least 397 of these vehicles have been destroyed, damaged, abandoned, or captured by Russian forces. The ongoing losses highlight the dire situation on the battlefield.
The release of this video comes just three days after a controversial summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska aimed at halting the conflict. Despite the meeting, which was Trump’s first visit to the U.S. since 2015, no immediate tangible results emerged. The Russian narrative paints the summit as a step towards ending its international isolation, a claim met with skepticism by experts.
Dan Rice, a former U.S. Army officer and special advisor to Ukraine’s military leadership, criticized the Russian portrayal, stating, “It’s not a victory for normal relations with the U.S. It’s the U.S. attempting to end a war started by a madman with nuclear weapons.”
The Center for Strategic Communications in Ukraine echoed this sentiment, branding Russia’s actions as further trolling of peace efforts. The bizarre spectacle of a U.S. vehicle adorned with Russian and American flags is seen as a calculated move to manipulate perceptions of the conflict.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the upcoming high-stakes meeting at the White House, where President Trump is expected to host President Zelenskyy and other European leaders. The outcome of this engagement could have far-reaching implications for the future of Ukraine and the ongoing war.
With tensions escalating and propaganda efforts intensifying, this latest development serves as a stark reminder of the complex and volatile nature of the conflict. The world watches closely as both sides navigate the precarious path toward peace.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.