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These powerful photos capture Vladimir Putin's “propaganda train” loaded with “war trophies” from Syria on its tour through Russia .

The train is moving more than 17,000 miles around the country to show off weapons and armaments captured from rebels.

They were all found during Moscow’s controversial campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Now the train is in Crimea - the Black Sea province captured by Vladimir Putin’s forces from Ukraine in 2014.

During its epic "victory tour", the 20-carriage train will touch the Pacific Ocean after the journey through Siberia - and the Arctic.

(Image: Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation / east2west news)

Uniformed member's of Putin's "young army" - comprising children cadets - have been on hand in many locations to greet the train.

“The aim is to show a maximum amount of people in our country the success of the Russian army in the fight with international terrorism," said Colonel Dmitry Serobaba when the train departed from Moscow on 23 February.

But the train has been hit by unfriendly fire from Russians on the internet.

“Sick and tired with this clown show by [defence minister Sergei] Shoigu,” wrote one person on social media.

“Will the train carry all Russian soldiers wounded in Syria?” asked another.

(Image: Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation / east2west news) (Image: Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation / east2west news)

Another complained the stunt was “total madness” asking: “So how much money have you spent on this PR?”

“They would have better giving this cash to pensioners,” argued a Twitter user.

Others tweeted there was no funds in their areas to improve healthcare and other facilities.

But instead “citizens will enjoy the Defence Ministry special train with trophies from Syria.

(Image: Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation / east2west news)

“The USSR liked to publicise trophies from Nazi Germany, but kept silent about the art, gold and furniture looted by Soviet generals.”

Another tweet stated: “Putin is not thinking any more, he is just doing what the Communists did in the past.”

In Krasnodar, a lawyer even lodged a formal complaint that the train was “intimidating people” with children especially at risk.

He claimed the war trophy rail show broke a Russian law protecting young people “from information damaging their health and development”.

Others, though, were supportive of the train.

(Image: Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation / east2west news)

A railway worker said: “I am really proud that they (the Russian army) are winning in this far away region.”

The train is due back in Moscow on April 27 after its round-Russia odyssey taking in key military cities Sevastopol, Vladivostok and Murmansk.

Nine carriages feature a T-55 tank supplied from Georgia, various armoured vehicles, AK-47 assault rifles ,and a Chinese drilling machine - all captured.

There are also displays of rocket and artillery weapons, drones, and chemical weapons seized form rebels.

In all there are 500 exhibits.

Russian servicemen with combat experience in Syria are the guides, reported TASS.