When I heard this story I didn't believe it, just thought it was a "internet rumor" a.k.a. bullspit.

Then I read a news story that two guys stole a JS-3 that was made into a monument. The tank was built in 1945, emplaced (as a monument)in 1994, was left there for TWENTY YEARS, started, stolen, and used in combat in 2014. Not bad for a 69 year old tank!

Here are the pics of the JS-3 that was used in combat by pro-russian forces, and captured by the Ukrainin Army on Aug.9, 2014

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408365394-bvkktxnieaaean8-jpg-large_zps9ee59d81.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/10547798_839925536018254_4360219141407226535_o_zps2747cf0f.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408367170-2014-08-01t170357z-1818313839-gm1ea8202vf01-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis_zpsd42c1c05.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408367170-2014-08-01t170051z-786124752-gm1ea8202qe01-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis_zps0482e6e4.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408387714-09dc98827697c52c8c7b93bcde860958_zps4061a3c1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408387712-ts-par7947379_zpsf7bc9fd7.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408379253-ukraine-russia-crisis-politics-military-1_zps0366a742.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1408367170-2014-08-09t130347z-613745270-gm1ea891mex01-rtrmadp-3-ukraine-crisis-russian-military_zps342b0eed.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/1888970_839925259351615_4661663048652003511_o_zps305c4598.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/uarkram/10547798_839925536018254_4360219141407226535_o_zps2747cf0f.jpg


Note that a new M.G. mount is fitted, but not much else has been changed.

Got these inages from Tank-Net.com, not telling who posted them, cause I don't want to get him shot.

Armor Mark.

What a great story! I imagine these WW2 tanks must have been still in service as recently as 1994, at least in reserve. Is there an english language story of this incident someplace? Wherever did they find ammo for this enormous tank?

I have read that originally, all the U.S.S.R. tanks that were used for monuments were supposed to be maintained in running order and be ready to be pressed into service if needed.
You would think that after years of inactivity, the cooling down of the cold war, general economy of Russia and eastern European countries the past 40 years that maintaining these relics in any form would have been put on the back burner if not forgotten about completely.
I guess a quick change of plugs and oil and yer good to go!
Cool story.
Cheers,
C.