Russia Says It Has Built A Special Armoured Train That Is Patrolling Occupied Ukraine

Russia has said that it has built a special armoured train that is patrolling the parts of Ukraine that it currently occupies.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the train has double-barrelled anti-aircraft guns and troops armed with heavy machine guns. It added that its primary goal was to provide engineer reconnaissance and clear mines.

The Russian MoD also said that the train crew will repair any damage to the railway tracks. The footage shows Russian soldiers manning the heavily armed train as it moves slowly along some train tracks on a foggy and rainy day.

The locomotive's double-barrelled anti-aircraft guns and soldiers armed with sniper rifles are clearly visible, with the train bearing the now infamous white 'Z' symbol.

The 'Z' is one of the symbols, as well as the letters 'V' and 'O' that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

The images were obtained from the Russian MoD on Wednesday, 7th December, along with a statement claiming: "A special train, created by military personnel of the railway troops of the Western Military District (ZVO), is involved in the zone of the special military operation.

"The train has an armoured coating, weapons are placed on the platforms, and the latest equipment, shelters for firing and repelling enemy attacks.

"The train is intended for technical reconnaissance, demining, as well as the restoration of the railway track and small artificial structures with minor damage.

"For safety reasons, the locomotive's engine is located in the middle of the train, otherwise the first blow could disable the locomotive. The tail and head of the special train are mirrored."

The Russian MoD also explained: "Armoured capsules are located in the tail and head of the train. Special cars are protected by steel that is 10 and in some places 20 millimetres thick, inside they are lined with sandbags.

"This is a real armoured train, armed, as they say, 'to the teeth.' The personnel of the train have small arms: from machine guns to heavy machine guns, they also have an anti-aircraft gun for destroying air and ground targets. The twin 23 mm cannon on the train is the main calibre. There are also sniper positions.

"Everyone who travels on this train is under reliable protection."

The Russian MoD quoted a man named only as Vyacheslav, the head of the anti-aircraft installation, as saying: “During movement, we detect low-flying air targets with the ability to destroy them up to 1.5 kilometres away, as well as fortified positions and lightly armoured ground vehicles. with the ability to destroy them up to 2.5 kilometres away."

The Russian MoD added: "Despite its formidable appearance, first of all, the list of the main tasks of the special train includes technical reconnaissance, mine clearance, and, if necessary, the restoration of destroyed tracks. A powerful weapon system allows personnel to operate it even in the most difficult conditions. [...]"

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 287th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 7th December, Russia had lost about 92,740 personnel, 2,935 tanks, 5,909 armoured combat vehicles, 1,923 artillery units, 395 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,601 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,526 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 163 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The governor of the Russian region of Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoyt has said that a drone attack has set fire to an oil storage tank at an airfield some 280 kilometres (175 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

The attack comes a day after two military airfields were also reportedly attacked deep inside Russia’s territory.

One of the attacks reportedly hit the Engels airfield in the Saratov region, which is where Russia houses some of its strategic nuclear bombers.

Kyiv has not directly claimed responsibility for the attacks, with the United States saying on Tuesday that it had not “enabled” Ukraine to carry out strikes inside Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “We have neither encouraged nor enabled the Ukrainians to strike inside of Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly convened his Security Council following the alleged drone strikes.

The Kremlin has said that Putin has met with senior officials to discuss “domestic security”, adding that Moscow was taking “necessary” steps to protect itself from further attacks.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that he agrees with Blinken that there needs to be peace in Ukraine, but he added that Russia does not see peace talks as a possible option “at the moment”.

Peskov added that for peace talks to be able to take place, Russia would first need to achieve the goals of its “special military operation”.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has requested that regional authorities suspend non-essential surgeries at the country’s hospitals due to the ongoing power blackouts caused by waves of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

EU officials have said that they will make sure that Ukraine gets EUR 18 billion in financial aid. The move comes after Hungary said it would block the funds from being released, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also accused of “holding hostage” funds destined for Ukraine’s hospitals.

Orban’s government has been accused of “cynical obstructionism” after Hungary said on Tuesday that it would block the EUR 18 billion in aid.