Russia unveils armored train, unique fusion of defence and railway

Russia operates a distinctive and unconventional weapon system that aligns with its extensive railway infrastructure, crucial for transportation across the vast country. The military's heavy reliance on railways has led to a unique fusion of civilian and defence purposes, creating a remarkable snap mobilisation capability that caught NATO commanders off guard in 2016. In August 2016, during the Donbas War, Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, brought back two armored trains, the Baikal and the Amur. These trains played a role in exercises in southern and southwestern Russia. Notably, an armored train was observed in March 2022 arriving in the Ukrainian city of Melitopol from Crimea. The Russian Ministry of Defense's Zvezda channel recently featured one of these trains, providing a close-up look inside. The video showcased a nine-bogey train with troops in tactical gear operating the engine, a command and control centre receiving video feeds, and various weaponry, including a ZSU 23-3 anti-aircraft gun, medium-machine guns, and a quadcopter UAV for surveillance. In a simulated scenario, the train's guns, along with a BMP-2 IFV, engaged in live fire, while mortar troops disembarked and set up weapons near the tracks. Soldiers inspected the tracks for sabotage, and if issues were found, they promptly repaired them before continuing the journey. The train bears the flag of the Railway Troops of the Russian Federation, the world's oldest such force, responsible for military railway operations during wartime. TASS reported that these soldiers, referred to as railway workers of the Central Military District (CMD), were the first in the special operation zone in Ukraine to deploy drones for surveillance while the train was in motion. The Yenisei, a registered armored train of the CMD, ensures the safety of passenger and cargo transportation in the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics. Following a referendum in September 2022 where the two regions voted to join the Russian Federation, Moscow launched a passenger service connecting Lugansk with mainland Russia. CMD's military railway workers, responsible for inspecting the recently launched passenger service in the Lugansk People's Republic, use drones to survey traffic areas without stopping the train at intermediate stations. The drones have a range of up to 5 km, allowing for on-the-move surveillance and technical reconnaissance. The Yenisei is equipped with various weapons, including small arms, anti-aircraft and tank machine guns, 82 mm mortars, and a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle with a 30 mm 2A32 cannon. The BMP-2 crew is prepared to engage if saboteurs are detected. CMD's railway troops have played a vital role in restoring railway traffic, clearing unexploded ordnance, and repairing bridges, showcasing their significant contributions to military operations and infrastructure maintenance.