Russian armored train in the Special Military Operation

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Russian armored train in the Special Military Operation

Armored train near Melitopol, frame from amateur video

The grouping of troops involved in the Special Military Operation has recently replenished with a new unexpected combat unit. An armored train of the railway troops was involved in solving combat and humanitarian tasks. He has already ensured the evacuation of the civilian population from the combat zone and can now begin to solve new tasks of various kinds.

Humanitarian mission


The first information about the appearance of an armored train in the Special Operations zone refers to the day and evening of March 7 - then the corresponding photos and videos appeared on social networks. It was reported that the train was moving from the Crimean side and at the time of the shooting was in the area of ​​Melitopol. The letters "Z" were present on the sides of the cars, clearly indicating their belonging.



Which of the available armored trains of the ZhDV is involved in the operation is unknown. His goals and objectives were also not disclosed until a certain time. However, this did not prevent the train from attracting great attention of the public both in our country and abroad. Armored trains have not been involved in work in the zone of real conflicts for a long time, and such an event could not go unnoticed.

On the evening of March 8, the goals of the first "raid" became known. As it turned out, several foreign states turned to Russia with a request to help in the evacuation of their citizens from the conflict zone. The Russian side organized and carried out such an operation. The removal of foreigners was carried out by a passenger train, and the armored one provided its wiring and cover in a potentially dangerous territory.


Reportedly, 248 people were evacuated from the Melitopol area, incl. 38 children. These are citizens of eight countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Two trains, armed and passenger, without difficulty made their way through the southern part of Ukraine and went to the Crimea, to the city of Armyansk. From there, foreigners were to be sent to Sochi for a subsequent flight home.

Apparently, now the armored train must return to the railway network of the demilitarized Ukraine and continue to perform certain tasks. It can be expected that in the near future the Ministry of Defense will again talk about the activities carried out and the successes achieved.

Combat composition


It should be recalled that the Russian Railways still has several armored trains built in the last years of the USSR. This technique was actively used during the second war in Chechnya and in subsequent counter-terrorism measures. After their completion, in 2009 a decision was made to disarm and mothball the four existing trains. However, already in 2016 they were returned to service. Since then, armored trains have regularly appeared in various exercises, and now one of them is participating in a real military operation.

Available materials from the Ministry of Defense, domestic media and witnesses "on the ground" allow us to carefully consider the armored train used, determine its composition and assess its potential. At the same time, some of the possibilities have already been shown in practice.


In the photo and video, you can see that there was an armored platform at the head of the train, probably taken from the BTL-1 "armored gun". Behind it is a diesel locomotive of the TEM18DM type. Also in the composition there is an armored staff car and two platforms with artillery. There are passenger cars for transporting personnel and a platform with an unknown cargo under a camouflage net.

According to known data, cars for domestic armored trains are protected from small arms weapons and shell fragments. In some sections of the structure, protection against small-caliber artillery is provided.

The main armament of the armored train in its current configuration is four double-barreled ZU-23 mounts, placed two by two on two armored platforms. In addition, the train crew has personal weapons. He probably has other systems at his disposal to protect against air attack, armored vehicles, etc.

Also in the public domain there is another photo of an armored train with the sign "Z", which differs from other materials. It shows the armored platform and platform; the last one contains the standard container. Perhaps this is the "Melitopol" armored train at one of the stages of the current operation, before unloading or other events. In addition, such a photo may indicate that two trains were involved in the Special Operation at once. However, there are no official data on this. Perhaps the Ministry of Defense will clarify this issue.

Potential and Opportunities


The armored train involved in the Special Operation has a number of characteristic features that determine its combat and other capabilities. It is capable of performing a fairly wide range of tasks, and some capabilities of this kind have already been shown in practice during a recent humanitarian mission.


One of the 23 mm mounts on armored sites

Despite the dependence on railways, the armored train has a fairly high mobility. Using existing routes, it can quickly arrive at a given position. At the same time, the configuration of the railway network provides access to almost any strategically important areas.

The armored train is resistant to shelling with a wide range of weapons and has means of protection against explosive devices. At the same time, it has its own weapons, which allow it to fight against various targets on the ground and in the air in self-defense or attack. In any situation, the armored train will repulse the limited forces of the enemy, and in more difficult conditions, it can count on air support or the help of ground formations.

A combat unit of this kind is quite capable of effectively solving various tasks - with reference to railways. An armored train can participate in almost any activity that requires protection and firepower on the tracks or in their immediate vicinity.

The train can carry out reconnaissance of the tracks and determine their condition, and, if necessary, cover the repair units. Depending on the situation and the assigned tasks, it is capable of supporting any other units operating near the tracks with fire.

The task of the armored train is also patrolling in order to exclude sabotage and ambushes. In addition, he must accompany civilian and cargo trains, protecting them from possible attacks. Similar possibilities were shown the other day during the flight from Melitopol.


The armored train can also perform transport functions.

There is some potential for empowerment. So, according to the experience of service and operation of past years, an armored train can be additionally equipped with platforms with tanks on them. In this case, the possibilities for observation, search and destruction of targets increase significantly. On the same platforms, it is possible to transport the necessary goods, which simplifies the organization of logistics in hazardous areas.

Naturally, there are also limitations. So, modern domestic armored trains are hardly capable of waging an equal and effective battle with enemy tank units or artillery. In addition, they are vulnerable to air attacks.

However, the competent use of an armored train allows you to drastically reduce the risks and get the maximum benefit. So, in the conditions of the current Special Operation, one no longer has to worry about a possible attack from the air due to the defeat of the combat aviation enemy. Large ambushes with heavy weapons are also unlikely - for the same reasons. At the same time, sabotage on the tracks, ambushes and shelling are still possible.

Actual and modern


Thus, despite the seeming archaism, the armored train remains a completely modern and relevant combat unit. It is capable of effectively solving various combat and auxiliary tasks on and near the railway network, and therefore retains its importance for the troops. At the same time, objective shortcomings of various kinds can be easily overcome through competent planning and application.

Part of the advantages of modern armored trains was shown just the other day. The train of the Russian Railways passed from the Crimea to Melitopol and checked the safety of the route, and then led the train with refugees in the opposite direction. As far as we know, we managed to overcome the entire path without any difficulties. However, apparently, the work of the armored train does not end there, and there will be new tasks for it.
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  1. +8
    10 March 2022 05: 19
    Why unexpected?) With their network of expensive railways, the appearance was clear from the very beginning. Chechen companies have shown their need quite clearly.
    1. +13
      10 March 2022 05: 30
      A completely ordinary diesel locomotive is embarrassing, even its cabin is unarmored, except that it is hung from the inside with something.

      1. +6
        10 March 2022 05: 41
        Yes. Sheathed. But I met them when they were still outwardly sheathed with sheets. There are many photos on the net.
        1. +3
          10 March 2022 05: 46
          Quote: carstorm 11
          Yes. Sheathed.

          Judging by the cooling shutters, they are sheathed with an ordinary stamped sheet, in fact, with tin, even the tanks are open.
          1. +6
            10 March 2022 05: 50
            Maybe. I repeat I saw them when it was externally sheathed. I think this is an option. If necessary, they will do it in hours. Now there is simply no need. In any case, he completed his task at the moment.
            1. +8
              10 March 2022 05: 56
              Quote: carstorm 11
              I repeat I saw them when it was externally sheathed.

              Yes, in the Far East, armored aircraft were in storage for a long time, everything is serious there.
              1. +2
                11 March 2022 14: 04
                In the Amur region near the town of Svobodny, km 5 - 7, st. Ust-Pera
                1. +3
                  11 March 2022 14: 13
                  weapons 4 tanks - 2 T-55 or T-64, 2-PT-76, 4 ZPU-4-14.5, ZSU-2-23 2 pcs, 4 BTP-40zhd (armored personnel carriers with retractable railway wheelsets) On a diesel locomotive and then 4 PKMs have been placed. In addition, the composition included 5 armored vehicles, a diesel locomotive with two three platforms on which T-55 tanks were installed.
                  Equivalent to a separate battalion.
                  1. 0
                    11 March 2022 14: 38
                    In one of the issues of "Tankmaster" there was a large article about the Far Eastern BePo.
                    1. +2
                      11 March 2022 14: 42
                      So I personally saw it. Didn't serve. I just saw. Were in Svobodny, Birobidzhan, Chita, Ussuriysk, another one got lost somewhere. I forgot where he was based.
                      1. 0
                        11 March 2022 14: 55
                        I didn’t go east of Naushki.
                      2. +1
                        11 March 2022 14: 57
                        Quote: Vladimir_2U
                        I am east of Naushki

                        I can’t even imagine what you are talking about, what kind of place, city, village ....
      2. +4
        10 March 2022 06: 15
        Yes, this TEM-18 target is crammed with unnecessary electronics. The scheme is very overloaded for the database, which is good.
        1. +3
          10 March 2022 09: 14
          In 2001, I saw two different ones in Chechnya. The electronics were then installed from land mines controlled. There it was a necessity. And the zushki were covered with shields.
          1. +1
            10 March 2022 15: 53
            You didn’t understand me, the electrical circuit of the diesel locomotive has become very muddy. Tem-2 was good for its simplicity. TEM-18 did not yet exist in 2001.
            1. 0
              27 May 2022 01: 30
              Even as it existed. Even in the upgraded version. By the way, it is not very different from TEM-2
      3. +1
        15 March 2022 15: 42
        So I’m a little jarred that an armored train without a locomotive is probably an armored train. Yes, it will protect people, but I don’t think that the locomotive will withstand a burst from a machine gun.
  2. +17
    10 March 2022 05: 28
    Locomotive without protection?
    Memory sticks on open platforms?

    This is some kind of "collective farm" ...
    1. +2
      10 March 2022 13: 15
      Quote: VicktorVR
      Memory sticks on open platforms?



      hi
      Yeah.. not good at all.

      Armored shields and backs are needed at least - at least the doors from the armored personnel carrier were installed, as in Chechnya
      Or such a booking
    2. +2
      10 March 2022 13: 41
      Found the photo I mentioned earlier.

      October 2002, Khankala, Chechnya (Photo: Gennady Zhilin)


      The picture clearly shows an armored hatch from an infantry fighting vehicle to cover the front (with the inscription Primorye) and a cover of a round armored hatch from an infantry fighting vehicle, fixed on the back of the gunner's seat to cover the rear.
      1. 0
        10 March 2022 15: 25
        The guys get out of the situation as best they can - in Chechnya, drivers hung a bulletproof vest on the cab door, and the Yankees in Viet on turntables stroked their helmets up the ass. At least some, but protection.
    3. +1
      10 March 2022 14: 38
      Quote: VicktorVR
      Locomotive without protection?
      Memory sticks on open platforms?

      This is some kind of "collective farm" ...

      According to reports, it is not going to conduct active hostilities. It is already being used to evacuate civilians to Crimea. hi

      "Today, 248 citizens of foreign states, including 38 children, were delivered from the Kherson region of Ukraine to the territory of the Russian Federation in the city of Armyansk of the Republic of Crimea by the military personnel of the Southern Military District. <...> The safety of delivery of foreign citizens to the city of Armyansk of the Republic of Crimea was ensured by the calculation of the armored train of the Southern Military District. In the future, the issue of the speedy delivery of all citizens of foreign states to their homeland will be resolved.
      It is specified that 166 citizens of Turkey, 41 citizens of Ukraine, as well as citizens of Egypt, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, Morocco and India were evacuated. Boarding the train, which included five passenger cars, was provided near the village of Antonovka, Kherson region. Evacuation was provided upon requests from foreign citizens submitted to the military commandant's office of Kherson.

      https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/14004047
      1. The comment was deleted.
        1. The comment was deleted.
  3. +3
    10 March 2022 05: 29
    Thank you for the article.
    It has always been interesting whether our remaining armored trains have armored locomotives or not. At first glance, the staff car and cars with personnel do not differ from the "ordinary" compartment cars.
    1. +2
      10 March 2022 05: 53
      Good day! New, well-forgotten old) if our armored train helps, then it’s already good! good
  4. +2
    10 March 2022 05: 33
    It's just a song, of course .. There is no blinding, nothing .. Drop a concrete pillar on the way - and an excellent helpless target for execution from a cereal .. It remains to send Cossacks with checkers to Ukraine ..
    1. +5
      10 March 2022 05: 39
      Calm down) The Chechens also suffered and cheated them, but they nevertheless worked quite clearly. And both survived.
      1. -1
        10 March 2022 05: 44
        Yes, in general, I’m not nervous .. It’s just that if you do something, then according to your mind .. Do you think it’s difficult to hit this thing with a grenade launcher?
        1. +9
          10 March 2022 05: 46
          No. As in any transport. Everything depends on the task at hand. He does not need to go on raids in the rear. I assure you, I myself laughed when I first saw it and then changed my mind.
        2. -4
          10 March 2022 06: 46
          Give me more minuses that you swim so shallow, then? I look here on the site from each of my posts someone has heartburn right ..))) Why are you so nervous? We need to talk..)
          1. +3
            10 March 2022 13: 28
            You tell me?)))) I generally refused to put them for a very long time. I'm not 15 years old to mark someone with plus signs)))
            1. 0
              10 March 2022 13: 47
              No, I'm not for you, sorry ..)
      2. +3
        10 March 2022 12: 55
        Quote: carstorm 11
        Calm down) The Chechens also suffered and cheated them, but they nevertheless worked quite clearly. And both survived.

        So "Amur" with "Baikal" had at least T-62s on the platforms.
        1. 0
          10 March 2022 14: 07
          If necessary, this can be done in a very short time. It's the same composition. Picking is quite a routine. As well as loading the car) By the way, I saw Cupid even once without this platform.
          1. -3
            10 March 2022 19: 53
            Hmm-ah ... Definitely "unparalleled in the world" ... We are waiting for the next - armored vehicles and armored cavalry ..
            1. +1
              11 March 2022 03: 00
              What is the analogy here? Want to look for how they were used in Chechnya. When you need to control the railway, this is the simplest solution and it works.
    2. +1
      11 March 2022 09: 42
      Quote: Dikson
      It's just a song, of course .. There is no blinding, nothing .. Drop a concrete pillar on the way - and an excellent helpless target for execution from a cereal .. It remains to send Cossacks with checkers to Ukraine ..

      That is why it does not surprise or outrage anyone when a column of refugees is accompanied by several armored personnel carriers, which in the same way can be shot, blown up, stopped. And people do not travel in armored, but in ordinary city buses. But if the same movement takes place on rails, and they chose a good means of escort appropriate to the situation, then it immediately began - "target", "archaic", old man Makhno", "Cossacks with checkers" ... Although it is, of course, from sofas behind a couple of thousand km it is getting better seen, what to take people out and how to accompany.Two more and spit after.Well, those who planned this evacuation operation, of course, are much dumber than local "experts"
  5. +3
    10 March 2022 06: 08
    The main armament of the armored train in its current configuration is four double-barreled ZU-23 mounts, placed two by two on two armored platforms.

    As we remember from Soviet films, before the guns and their crew were covered with armor from all sides. And now, as you can see in the photo, the gun is on an open platform. And the shooter is practically not protected. It doesn't look like much.
    1. +1
      10 March 2022 13: 43
      Quote: Third District
      And the shooter is practically not protected.

      hi
      No shooter, no train itself.

      It was believed that aviation is the main enemy of armored trains
      It is not clear what kind of launcher is in the container, but air defense systems must be present.
      Although the rocket and artillery "Zushka", which was developed by PEMZ Spetsmash
      ZU-23/30M1-3
    2. 0
      11 March 2022 23: 53
      what is the effective range of the AK and RPG 7? and the same question for GSh - 23. Or I’ll ask it differently, with a Kalash in your hands, would you risk coming close to ZU 23 - 2 ??
      This train is designed to transport people. Armament on it in order to scare an idiot with a hunting rifle or a feral Nazi with a Kalash
  6. 0
    10 March 2022 06: 31
    So, according to the experience of service and operation of past years, an armored train can be additionally equipped with platforms with tanks on them.

    I am a civilian, but this idea seems dubious to me. A "free-floating" tank is much more maneuverable and dangerous for the enemy; on the platform, it involuntarily turns into a target, exposing its weak sides to fire. Well, except in extreme cases, in some situation, it is possible to use obsolete tanks from storage bases, however, as far as I understand, the engine must be in good order, dragging a tank onto a platform with an inoperative engine is still fun!
  7. +4
    10 March 2022 06: 40
    The archaism of weapons is easily eliminated by installing TOR modules or Pantsir air defense systems on the platforms. The carrying capacity of the platforms generally allows you to put quite heavy weapons there, up to 152 mm howitzers. A car with electronic warfare and electronic intelligence systems would also come in handy. To protect against tanks and other heavy equipment, you can put the Kornet anti-tank systems there, like on the Tigris, a dozen of them will go there in only one car.
    Yes, there is a field not plowed for modernization. Including in shock configuration. As a result, you can get a heavy, well-protected combat unit that provides both shock and defensive capabilities. By the way, here's the modularity for you - as I made the cars, this will be the case.
    1. 0
      15 March 2022 15: 51
      The idea is good, but if you add a rail layer ....
  8. +6
    10 March 2022 06: 45
    To the attention of those who meet, an armored train "Tempered" of the Y system arrives on the siding
    1. +2
      10 March 2022 08: 48
      Quote: Yuri V.A
      To the attention of those who meet, an armored train "Tempered" of the Y system arrives on the siding

      Zet systems. It's painted on it.
      1. +4
        10 March 2022 09: 17
        Exactly, science does not stand still. This one is not like across the rivers, and it will rush through the fields like on rails. In short, according to the presidential law: denazification in all coordinates
  9. +1
    10 March 2022 07: 20
    Specialists in armored trains have gathered!))) They don’t know how to do it without you ...
  10. +7
    10 March 2022 08: 45
    Very symbolic. Of the 248 people, 144 are Turkish citizens evacuating to the Armenian...
    1. -1
      10 March 2022 09: 20
      Citizens of several European countries had to be left in Ukraine
  11. -4
    10 March 2022 11: 30
    Here in this case, the expression: "There are no analogues in the world" fits all 100.
  12. +6
    10 March 2022 12: 24
    As a railway worker, I can say - this is some kind of enchanting collective farm! Replicas of armored trains from the times of the Second World War came to us for certification. So there, despite the simplified "popular" booking from ordinary sheets of boiler iron, everything looked MUCH more thoughtful and serious. And this, God forgive me, construction in comparison with it is similar to a mobile circus with two anti-aircraft guns.
    This shed can be disabled with one single shot at the driver, at the fuel tank, or with one anti-tank mine, because the TEM18DM has a lot of sensitive electronics. Which, by the way, I do.
    Electronics, otherwise Comrade Major will still understand wrong)) hi
    1. 0
      10 March 2022 22: 11
      That is, this is not quite an armored train. A real armored train, respectively, is still on the siding.
  13. +6
    10 March 2022 12: 43
    Friends criticizing! This is not an armored train, this is a special train. If in this situation you really need an armored train, it will be equipped as it should, believe me.
    1. +3
      10 March 2022 12: 57
      I agree) It's just an improvisation. Protection and armament from random "comrades" from the bushes is quite enough if all paths are under control.
      1. +1
        10 March 2022 14: 58
        Quite right, special trains were created specifically for these tasks. Specifically, to protect the long highways of the Trans-Siberian.
  14. +1
    10 March 2022 14: 52
    So, according to the experience of service and operation of past years, an armored train can be additionally equipped with platforms with tanks on them.

    How did the Germans do it using captured equipment?


  15. +3
    11 March 2022 20: 39
    Ryabov Kirill "glory" Psaki causes envy ...
  16. 0
    April 30 2022 07: 20
    A couple of times I personally rode in Chechnya on a similar one. In my presence, the commanders of such a "miracle" discussed the rumor that a real armored train from the Far East would arrive (did not arrive). As for Chechen products, there seemed to be about four of them (not exactly), two army ones (Nightingale the Robber ...) and another explosive, in fact an ordinary freight train with home-made or borrowed armored caps and hung sheets in some places. one was blown up just in the area of ​​\u140b\uXNUMXbthe passenger car (the cook's woman's leg was torn off, by the way, the kitchen is open on the platform). The R-XNUMX radio station in a regular kung without protection, there is no reserve for power supply and communication. In general, like a cart with a machine gun, from the military side, he was of no interest to the Nokhchi, as I understand it, only the punks shot at him for fun ... In Gudermes, serious uncles took us into sight ... but in those conditions they would have been there from strongholds flew in, and the locals would have had problems .... In short, as usual, everything in the warehouses is rusty, and we are riveting .....
    1. 0
      5 February 2023 09: 24
      Here in the comments they wrote correctly, this is not an armored train, but a special train. A real armored train was brought into the second war from near Barnaul or Abakan, I don’t remember exactly. He was in the traveling battalion in Nevinnomyssk. But they didn’t send them to Chechnya, and they did the right thing. Very heavy, in the event of an explosion or derailment, there would be nothing to lift it in those conditions, it (an armored diesel locomotive) was dragged there to Tsvetmed. I do not agree that he was of no interest to the Nokhchi. They blew up and fired at both the first and second companies often. In the second, after the Mi-26 "cow" was shot down near Khankala, it was forbidden to transport L / S by air. All this fell on the spec. trains, plus the delivery of B / C troops by wagons, in the event of its undermining, wheel sets would be collected throughout Chechnya. The clerk's woman died. She was the wife of the deputy chief of staff of the brigade, I will not write her last name. Brigades that worked in Chechnya. I am writing this in the first person. was on these specials. trains and in the first and second constantly in different positions. Now a reserve major.
  17. 0
    13 February 2023 13: 17
    Showed video for fools. What kind of mine detectors are on the RSHR, it squeaks like crazy. Only a probe.
  18. 0
    13 February 2023 13: 26
    This is a special train, not an armored train. Four of them worked in Chechnya. Amur, Baikal, Don and one more I do not remember. But a real armored train was brought from Barnaul, but it was not allowed into Chechnya. very heavy. In the event of an explosion or descent, it cannot be raised in that situation. He was stolen in Nevinnomyssk in the traveling battalion for scrap metal, especially a diesel locomotive (Tsvetmed).
  19. 0
    9 May 2023 07: 17
    After more than a year of war, these notes look different.

"Right Sector" (banned in Russia), "Ukrainian Insurgent Army" (UPA) (banned in Russia), ISIS (banned in Russia), "Jabhat Fatah al-Sham" formerly "Jabhat al-Nusra" (banned in Russia) , Taliban (banned in Russia), Al-Qaeda (banned in Russia), Anti-Corruption Foundation (banned in Russia), Navalny Headquarters (banned in Russia), Facebook (banned in Russia), Instagram (banned in Russia), Meta (banned in Russia), Misanthropic Division (banned in Russia), Azov (banned in Russia), Muslim Brotherhood (banned in Russia), Aum Shinrikyo (banned in Russia), AUE (banned in Russia), UNA-UNSO (banned in Russia), Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (banned in Russia), Legion “Freedom of Russia” (armed formation, recognized as terrorist in the Russian Federation and banned)

“Non-profit organizations, unregistered public associations or individuals performing the functions of a foreign agent,” as well as media outlets performing the functions of a foreign agent: “Medusa”; "Voice of America"; "Realities"; "Present time"; "Radio Freedom"; Ponomarev; Savitskaya; Markelov; Kamalyagin; Apakhonchich; Makarevich; Dud; Gordon; Zhdanov; Medvedev; Fedorov; "Owl"; "Alliance of Doctors"; "RKK" "Levada Center"; "Memorial"; "Voice"; "Person and law"; "Rain"; "Mediazone"; "Deutsche Welle"; QMS "Caucasian Knot"; "Insider"; "New Newspaper"