A Russian armored vehicle has appeared in Kremlin state media proudly waving an American flag on the battlefield, apparently as a mockery of Ukraine.
The video shows an M113 armored personnel carrier, an American model captured by the Russians, carrying American and Russian flags near the front line in southeastern Ukraine, according to pro-Kremlin channels.
It is not clear when the unverified video was made, however the timing of its appearance is evident given Donald Trump's personal meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Trump has then sided with the Russian leader on a number of key demands, including that Ukraine should abandon its ambitions to join NATO and not try to retake Crimea.
The US president is also believed to support Putin's idea for Ukraine to hand over the mineral-rich Donbas, including parts that Russia does not occupy, in order to bring about a quick solution to the war.
State broadcaster Russia Today (RT) said the vehicle was "attacking in battle" near the village of Mala Tokmachka in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, one of four regions that Putin has tried to seek full control in peace talks.
The M113, which appears to be covered in an anti-drone cage, was "repaired and revived" and is now being used to "conduct combat missions" by the 70th Motorized Regiment, RT wrote alongside the clip.
Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelensky's top aide, accused Russia of "using the symbols of the United States in its terrorist war of aggression". Reposting the video to X, he called the display of the American flag "complete arrogance".
Earlier, Ukrainian forces reported the destruction of an M113 armored vehicle captured by Russia during fighting near Kotlyne in the Donetsk region.
An American M113, presumably captured by russians, with russian and US flags spotted near Zaporizhia frontlines in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/6JwJDH7Lak
— Ihor Lachenkov (@igorlachenkov) August 18, 2025