The Russian armoured train Yenisei is an armoured train currently in use by Russia in their ongoing invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Ukrainian sources, Yenisei was constructed out of parts stolen from Ukrainian Railways in the Kharkiv region.[4] It is named after the Yenisey river.
| Yenisei | |
|---|---|
| Type | Armoured train |
| Place of origin | Ukraine Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022–Present |
| Used by |  Russia
|
| Wars | 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ukrainian Railways |
| Manufacturer | Ukrainian Railways |
| No. built | 1 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 131 m (429.7 ft) |
| Diameter | 1,435mm gauge [2] |
| Passengers | 1,000 (claimed) |
| Armor | 20mm rolled steel [citation needed] Sandbags with wooden panels[3] Mine-resistant ballast materials[3] |
Main armament | 1x 30 mm autocannon 2A42 (BMP-2) |
Secondary armament | 1x ZU-23-2 cannon Few dozen Machine Gun slots Few 82-BM-37 mortars |
| Engine | 2x ChME3-type locomotive |
Specifications and details
editThe train is protected by armoured plates of unknown thickness and is designed to transport materials, to restore and demine tracks that are damaged, and for engineering reconnaissance.[5] However, the train also has a ZU-23-2 and a mounted BMP-2,[4] and thus is also suspected of being prepared for combat operations. Russian sources dispute Yenisei's role as a combat vehicle, claiming rather that the train is used for humanitarian purposes such as the delivery of water, medicines and food for civilians in Donbas, and evacuating over a thousand people from the combat zones.[6]
The train is currently made up of at least two ChME3-type locomotives plus eight wagons (two of which are platforms from the BMP-2 and ZU-23-2).[7][8] On a whole, Yenisei is made up of two empty platform wagons for cargo, logistical and construction purposes at the front and end of the train, a platform wagon mounting the BMP-2 as the 'head', followed by an anti-air wagon mounting the ZU-23-2 gun alongside an enclosed cabin with six machine-gun slits, the first ChME3-type locomotive, a machine gun wagon with more gun slits, a goods wagon, another machine-gun wagon and the second ChME3-type locomotive.[9][10] In addition to the above weapons, Yenisei also ferries a group in charge of maintaining and firing a number of 82-BM-37 mortars both either on or outside of the train.[11] In terms of length, each wagon is made from the standard United Wagon Company Sgmmns 40’ flat car, which is 40 feet long.[2] Combined, Yenisei is a 131 meters long.
Like Volga, this is not the first armoured train used in the Russo-Ukrainian War, as a few other armoured trains were recorded transporting logistical and military goods through Crimea in March 2022.[12][13]
History
editNot much is known on Yenisei's military service outside of Russian claims that it was primarily used for refugee evacuation. In December 2023, however, new videos emerged showcasing an armoured train exercise.[14] The train - likely to be Yenisei given the presence of a loaded BMP-2 - was conducting a new form of engagement procedure that was more 'front-line' than the traditional 'rear-line' logistical support role it was originally given. In this exercise, the train would quickly load one or two BMP-2s with its optimum personnel before entering near the front-lines to swiftly drop off heavy equipment and personnel and then promptly disengaging from the battle scene.[15] Given the dominance of Russian rail-lines in Eastern Ukraine that streamlines Russian logistics, the exercise indicates a change in Russian armoured train tactics, with trains such as Yenisei becoming an important asset for resource distribution and armed transportation across the occupied areas.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/external-publications/russias-railway-troops
- ^ a b "Russian flat cars obtain ERA certification". Railwaypro. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Second Russian armored train deployed in Ukraine with BMP-2 IFV loaded on railway car".
- ^ a b "PHOTO: The Russians assembled an armoured train from Ukrzaliznytsia cars stolen in the Kharkiv region". Rail Target. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "What is the armored train "Yenisei", involved in a special operation in Ukraine". Gaming Deputy. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Footage of the work of the Russian armored train "Yenisei" in Ukraine appeared on the Web". Chernayakobra. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "The Russians have developed an armored train "Yenisei" from diesel locomotives stolen in the Kharkiv region". newsreadonline. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Video of the Russian "Yenisei" armoured train operating in Ukraine with ZU-23-2 cannons and BMP-2". Rob Lee Twitter. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Russian special armored train "Yenisei"". Youtube. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Russian military Central MD "Yenisei" armored train in the zone of operation in Ukraine". Youtube. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Russia Flaunts Its 'Unique' Armored Train Armed With Mortars, Anti-Aircraft Guns, IFVs, Drones & Soldiers – Watch". News.
- ^ "Russian 'Armored Train' Equipped With Automatic Cannons & Painted With 'Z' Mark Joins The Ukraine Invasion". Eurasian Times. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph. "A Russian Armored Train Has Joined The Invasion Of Ukraine". The War Zone. The Drive. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ "俄军"装甲列车"部队在战区后方训练，准备奔赴战场？". Sohu. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Troops of the Russian 'armored train' train behind the combat zone". Bulgarianmilitary. Retrieved 29 December 2023.