The current political climate aside, the Ukraine has always had a very close relationship with Russia and was of course part of the former Soviet Union.

Furthermore, the military might of the Soviet Union during the Cold War meant that a huge amount of tanks were manufactured in the prospect of conflict. Once the Union collapsed, the ageing mechanical relics of the era had to find a home.

Being a close alley of Russia, that home ended up being the Ukraine.

As these incredible images show, a huge tank graveyard still exists in a secret depot in the city of Kharkiv in the Slobozhanshchyna region of eastern Ukraine.

Filled with rows upon rows of abandoned tanks the heavily guarded site has drawn adventurous urban explorers that dare the threat of arrest in pursuit of these rare photographs.

In 2014, photographer Pavel Itkin, 18, managed to sneak in to capture the images you are seeing here.

The plant once specialised in the overhaul and modernisation of T-64, T-72, and T-80 tanks built at the nearby Malyshev Factory in Kharkiv.

Mr Itkin said ‘It took me many months to track down this place, I had heard about it from a friend and decided it would be a great place to take pictures.’

‘Once I got inside I was walking around the grounds for about two hours, the plant is stunning, I was amazed by the scale… Just imagine over 400 tanks in one place, row after row of them.’

However, in light of the recent troubles between Russia and the Ukraine, the tanks may once again find purpose. If any are salvageable it is predicted they will be put back into service in the ensuing conflict.

 (Source: Daily Mail)