The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Russian TikTokker offers tips on how to drive abandoned military vehicles
‘If you happen to find a free or abandoned armored personnel carrier, here’s a life hack on how to start it,’ says Russian influencer Nastya Tuman
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
As the bloody invasion of Ukraine continues, one Russian social media influencer has offered her viewers a grim life hack: “how to start an armored personnel carrier.”
In the tutorial video, which was originally posted a year ago, the TikTok and Instagram star Nastya Tuman drives what appears to be an armored vehicle for transporting Russian soldiers. On Sunday, Ms Tuman reposted the footage with a new introduction.
“If you happen to find a free or abandoned armored personnel carrier, here’s a life hack on how to start it,” she says cheerfully before flipping on several switches and buttons, bringing the rusting vehicle into motion.
As of Tuesday, the video had garnered 9.1 million views on TikTok, and more than 36,000 likes on Instagram.
Ukraine invasion: How our personal money links us to the rest of the worldBritons sign up to fight in Ukraine because ‘solidarity isn’t real if you don’t do anything’
Shell and BP abandon Russia after Ukraine invasion
Ukraine-Russia news – live: Moscow tells residents to leave Kyiv as Putin’s forces drop bomb near TV tower
With men fighting in Ukraine, women and children flee alone
Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, starting the largest ground war in Europe since World War II. As the onslaught continues, reports have emerged of Russian troops abandoning their vehicles after meeting fierce Ukrainian resistance or running out of fuel.
Ms Tuman, who according to the news site Marca was born in Ukraine, appears to be offering advice on what to do with those vehicles. At the end of her caption for the TikTok video, she added a hashtag meaning “how to run BTR,” referring to the Russian “Bronetransportyor” personnel carrier.
But according to Marca, Ms Tuman has said the video is only meant to be funny, and she does not intend to encourage violence. The Independent has reached out to her for further comment.
Meanwhile, viewers are gushing over the video in multiple languages.
“Glory to Ukraine, visit us here, we need [you]!” one Instagram viewer commented in Russian. “Thanks for the helpful video!”
“I have no clue what she is saying but I know Ukrainians are the bravest people on earth!” wrote one English-speaking viewer on TikTok.
“I want to marry this woman,” another commented. “Tell my husband I loved him but tank woman is love.”
“Wartime TikTok is a very wild place,” someone else observed.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments