Armored Trains in Special Operations
Armored train Yenisei during training in the rear area, July 2025.
In February-March 2022, special trains of the railway troops began operating in the Special Operation zone and in the liberated territories. The trains with special equipment and weapons are intended for engineering reconnaissance and infrastructure restoration. They also identify threats and respond to them, accompany rail transport and solve other tasks. Currently, three such armored trains are in combat service.
Not on a siding
Just a few days after the start of the Special Operation, in early March 2022, the first photographs and videos of a special purpose train of the Russian army appeared on specialized resources. The so-called cover and support train operated in the Melitopol direction. The train included armored platforms and carriages for various purposes. Later it became known that it was the Baikal train from the railway troops.
In the first days, the train provided evacuation of foreign citizens from the Kherson region to Crimea. Then the train crew began to survey and restore the track infrastructure. In addition, the railway engineers carried out prevention of sabotage by the enemy.
With the participation of the armored train and its crew, a significant part of the railway infrastructure in the liberated territories was restored in the first months. A major contribution was made to the organization of land communication with Crimea and military logistics in the southern part of the Special Operation zone.
Driver of the special train "Yenisei"
In June, another armored train appeared near the combat zone, significantly different from the one previously seen. It differed in its composition and equipment. In addition, its coloring indicated that it was new or had recently been repaired. It soon became known that this train was named "Yenisei" and served in the "Center" group of troops. The "West" group also has a similar special train - it was named "Volga".
Three armored trains remain in the Special Operation zone and in the surrounding regions. They continue to conduct engineering reconnaissance and search for dangerous objects. In addition, the trains participate in patrols and escort cargo trains.
The Ministry of Defense regularly reports on the service and combat work of special trains and their crews. For example, in early July, a report was published about the Yenisei train. At that time, the train was temporarily in the rear zone, and its crew was undergoing training and combat coordination. The interaction of various means and calculations was practiced, and training shooting was conducted.
The other day, the daily routine of the Volga crew was shown. The train, part of the Zapad group, ensures the protection of infrastructure. Its crew regularly inspects various objects for threats and, if they are detected, neutralizes them. At the same time, the servicemen are ready to accept combat and use standard weapons at any time.
Railway veteran
The special train "Baikal", the first to appear in the Special Operation zone, was formed in 2002. Together with several similar trains, it was used in the counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya. Later, this armored train repeatedly participated in various exercises, but then was temporarily sent to the reserve. It was returned to active operation in 2016.
At the beginning of the Special Operation in 2022, the Baikal train included two TEM-18DM locomotives and seven wagons for various purposes. It received a closed protected platform from the BTL-1 armored car, a pair of platforms with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft mounts, a staff armored car, as well as wagons for accommodating personnel and cargo / control platforms with ballast.
The protected carriages and platforms have bulletproof and anti-fragmentation armour. In the event of a collision with the enemy, the Baikal crew had to use small arms weapon and other infantry systems, as well as 23-mm cannons. Taking into account modern trends, the train crew received up-to-date communications equipment, reconnaissance UAVs, electronic warfare systems and other products.
Modern compositions
In turn, the Volga and Yenisei trains are new. According to various sources, they were built shortly before the start of the Special Operation or after it started, taking into account the experience of Baikal. No later than May-June 2022, the two new trains set off for the combat zone and began performing their tasks.
Volga shooters in position
In their composition, the Volga and Yenisei are similar to the Baikal, but they use different carriages and have an expanded set of means and weapons. Due to this, the functions of the armored train have been expanded and its combat capabilities have been improved. The crew includes a rifle, mine-blasting and recovery platoons.
The new trains are still based on diesel locomotives equipped with add-on armor protection. At the head and tail of the train there are control platforms on which materials for track repair are transported. The train also has armored cars for the headquarters and gunners. ZU-23-2 mounts are located on two platforms; armored shelters are located next to them.
"Yenisei" and "Volga" also have a platform for transporting the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. If necessary, the train stops and unloads the armored vehicle on the ground. Then its crew carries out the assigned task and returns to the platform.
The new armored trains have an expanded armament. The crew has a full range of infantry weapons, from machine guns to automatic grenade launchers. There is also artillery - two 23-mm double-barreled mounts and a 30-mm cannon on the BMP-2. The armored vehicle can use anti-tank missiles.
Preparing a reconnaissance UAV for takeoff from the Baikal platform
The mine-blasting platoon has a set of engineering and sapper equipment. It is used to search for and neutralize dangerous objects. In turn, the restoration platoon has equipment and materials for track repair.
With great potential
A special train with armor, various weapons and auxiliary means can be considered as a multi-purpose complex for solving a wide range of tasks. It can protect infrastructure and transportation, search for and eliminate threats, restore various objects, etc. Direct participation in military operations is also not excluded.
Three Russian armored trains are participating in the current Special Operation - since 2022 they have been performing all the tasks assigned to them. These trains show that such equipment has high potential and is capable of operating effectively even in the conditions of a modern conflict with all its characteristic features.
Available information shows how the armored trains managed to maintain the required level of characteristics, as well as obtain all the necessary capabilities. In general, such results were achieved through the competent use of old ideas and developments in combination with modern solutions and components.
Yenisei mine-blasting platoon searches for explosive devices on the tracks
So, the basic concept of a special train has not changed over the past decades. It is still a train with a locomotive, several carriages and platforms with protection and weapons. In addition, control platforms with ballast, which should take on some of the risks, remain in place.
The approach to the formation of the weapons complex has not changed fundamentally. The train crew uses small arms, grenade launchers and small-caliber artillery. At the same time, large-caliber systems were abandoned due to the lack of significant advantages.
Like other units and divisions, special trains received their own unmanned Aviation. Crews use lightweight copters for reconnaissance, threat detection and fire control. Despite their simplicity, such means significantly improve the combat capabilities of the train. The threat of enemy drones, for what purpose the means have been introduced EW.
Thus, the older Baikal and the new Yenisei and Volga meet modern requirements and are capable of performing all tasks assigned to them. Three special trains have been participating in the Special Operation since spring-summer 2022 and have repeatedly confirmed their potential. Obviously, they will remain in service and continue their work to protect railways and protect transportation.
Information