Kyiv's Iron General opens exhibition charting Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Ukraine's ’Iron General’ has officially opened a new exhibition charting Russia's invasion at The Tank Museum in Dorset.
As one of the most famous faces of the Ukraine war, General Valeryii Zaluzhnyi made a surprise visit to Bovington to open the exhibition called Armoured Warfare in the Modern World.
Gen Zaluzhnyi, who is now Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK, led Kiev's forces for two years and is spoken of as a potential future president.
During his tour, Gen Zaluzhnyi was also able to see displays highlighting the contribution of British troops who've trained more than 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers as part of Operation Interflex
Designed to bring to life the dark impact Vladimir Putin's war has had on so many lives, the exhibition is the largest of its kind in the UK.
It includes equipment and vehicles used in the conflict as well as testimonies of ordinary civilians, with the interactive display leading visitors through Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On display are some of the key vehicles being used by both sides, as well as testimony from ordinary civilians.
Assistant exhibitions manager Rob Watts said the idea formed in 2023, with Ukrainian refugees interviewed first.
"We really try to tell the story of the conflict itself, how it started, why it started, the civilian side of things and then our own involvement," he said.
"Here at The Tank Museum we have been involved with the Ukrainian soldiers coming over here to learn on our vehicles.
"That's really where our story kind of connects with theirs."
Vehicles such as a German Marder infantry fighting vehicle are also on display, with the vehicles taking part in fierce fighting with Russian forces during Ukraine's incursion into Kursk.
There is also a British Challenger 2 tank, with the UK having given 14 of the main battle tanks to Ukraine.
The display is split in two, with one side showing the tank in its bare form, whilst the other shows it as the Ukrainians have adapted it, fitting camouflage and a cage as protection against drone strikes.
Chris Copson, a military historian, explained that the exhibition is mostly made up of vehicles from the collection, but also shows vehicles that were used by Warsaw Pact countries.
"So effectively, to some extent, representing both sides here," he said.
The exhibition also shows the human cost of the war, with an area featuring the stories of Ukrainian refugees who were forced to flee and have now settled in the UK.
One of those, Mykola, fled Mariupol after spending three weeks underground sheltering from Russian bombardment.
He told BFBS Forces News some elements of the exhibition were hard to take in.
"This corner of exhibition, it was very hard for me to look at this because this corner shows Russian equipment, Russian uniform," he said.
"I seen it by my eyes… I never forgive them."
His daughter Anastasiia was 11 when Russia invaded.
The exhibition has also displayed a number of drawings she did as the family took cover below ground.
She explained that, for the first image, she was able to use the internet and lighting.
But the day after, they didn't have anything.
"It says we never give up, if translated," she explained, pointing to another drawing on the wall with text alongside it.
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