Russia's Armored Trains - Baikal and Amur

Russia has two armored trains, the Baikal and Amur. A Russian armored train was seen in the Ukraine War.Show more

Russia deployed two armored trains in the second Chechen War, notably during the Battle of Grozny. And during the war with Georgia.

Now, we have seen them in Ukraine too. We saw video and photos of armored trains entering the country and trains painted with the distinctive Z marking. The two trains currently in use by Russia are the Baikal and the Amur. They also had the Terek and Don, but they are apparently out of service now.

They were apparently used on february 7 in Melitopol, on a humanitarian mission evacuating foreign citizerns according to the Russian military. According to a Russian news source—TASS—an official statement says that the trains main mission isn’t combat, but escorting of military trains carryign cargoes, vehicles and personnel and also carryign out repairs of damaged track. The trains carry enough materials to repair 150 meters of track.. Each train carries material and components able to repair and restore 150 meters of rail track

Now, this diagram here gives the usual layout of both trains. This isn’t the layout seen in Ukraine, however. And the layouts have likely been changed since this image was produced since the TASS article says the trains now feature two diesel locomotives—one is a stand-by engine. But, it will be interesting to take a look anyway. The top is the Baikal. So let’s go through the carriages

1 – a cover platform
2 – an anti-aircraft gun
3, the locomotive
4 – kitchen and dining car
5 – the sleeper car
6 radio station
7 headquarters
8 a jammer

The Amur is apparently a bit longer.
1 – a freight car
2 an anti-aircraft gun
3 the locomotive
4 – kitchen and dining car
5 sleeper car
6 – sleeper car
7 – radio station
8 – jammer
9 – headquarters
10 and 11 freight car
12 crane
13 cover platform

As you can see, different than the heavy assault artillery platforms used during WW2. And casrrying fewer guns than the one seen in Croatia—the Krajina Express.

As you can aslo see, they have also had a technological upgrade including an electronic warfare wagon design to jam enemy communications and radar. They can also operate in tandem with hellicopter support.

They also have anti-mine technology. The Kamysh M4K system uses white noise to interfere with radio controlled IEDs.

The AA guns are a pair of 23mm ZU-23 guns. The guns are protected by shields and the crews can access armored shelters on the gun car.

The troops on the train are armed with rifles, amchine guns and grenade launchers. Some times, the trains may be reinforced with other weapons, according to TASS.

These armored Behemoths are used in Ukraine—having being spotted in Melitopol. Now, the ones spotted are apparently a combination of the Baikal and Amur—containing carriages from both trains and two locomotives—one at the front and one at the rear. We can also see the Zsu aa gun.

How useful they will be in a modern war—who knows. They seem quite vulnerable—you don’t have to target the train itsself, just smash the railway lines. But, we have seen Bayrakar strikes on Russian oil trains. So perhaps the AA guns will protect the trains from future drone strikes. Working in tandem with helicopters will also help to prevent saboteurs on the rails.

But, we will have to see. What can’t be denied is these just look awesome. It’s a train clad in armor and with mounted guns. What’s not to like?

Now, I will also give a quick mention to Russia’s efforts to mount a ICBM on armored trails. The RT-23 Molodets. The rail-based missiles served with the 10th Rocket Division, the 52nd Rocket division and the 36th rocket division but are now out of service.

Though the Molodets was withdrawn, Russia was developing a project called Barguzin. It would be armed with 6 missiles and there would have been five railroad missile regiments, each consisting of one train and six missiles. The project has been frozen because of financing, but can apparently be revived if necessary.