"Russian armored train" Topic

I had no idea that the Russians still had armored trains. Does anyone else still use them?

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Yes, Russian railway troops use armored trains to escort military rail cargo in areas where attacks and sabotage are possible. Previously, they were used, for example, in Chechnya. But they do not take part directly in the fighting at the front.

youtu.be/EO6SCnzrWKM

> Does anyone else still use them
Of course not.

They have some decisive disadvantages, that outweight their advantages by far.

Completely dependent on the track system, which can be easily destroyed.
Risk of derailment, making it impossible to continue the journey and/or blocking the track.
Not as big as 40 mile long truck convoys, but still a big target.

But in dire need as a warlord off the track, you can safely transport large amounts of war criminals and other rable over long distances.
At least until those pesky obtuseniks blow them up.
Really a pity, because they were a nice sentimental memory of times gone by.
Its 1943 again.

A Russian Armored Train Has Joined The Invasion Of Ukraine – The Warzone

We should have known where the journey ends.
In a train crash.
Russia Has Revived its Armored Trains – The Warzone

Great Patriotic War Museum, Moscow

Phone rings…

"What do you mean you want our armored train…?"

The guns that I can spot in the pictures seem to be twin-barreled 23 mm anti-aircraft guns on open positions – presumably primarily intended to provide close air defense, though can be used against ground targets if necessary.

These guns are unlikely to pose a serious threat to modern aviation. The launch of missiles will be carried out far beyond their radius of action. But to repel the attack of saboteurs, they will be quite effective.

These guns are unlikely to pose a serious threat to modern aviation. The launch of missiles will be carried out far beyond their radius of action.

True, in open terrain against aircraft with long range missiles they are of limited utility with their roughly 2 km range. Could still be of deterrence against strafing runs.

With AP ammunition they may be able to penetrate lightly armoured (e.g. reconnaissance) vehicles.

Against infantry targets in the open, machine-guns might be more practical choice.

These armored trains are not designed for operations on the front line. Their task is to escort goods transported by rail. The probability of their meeting with enemy armored vehicles is minimal.

The number of Russian armored trains, apparently, is increasing:

YouTube link