Russian Armored Train Arrives In Ukraine Town As Invasion Troops Battle Logistics Nightmare

As Russian troops and supply lines face increasing strain under Ukrainian attacks, reports have emerged that a Kremlin armored train has arrived in the southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol from Crimea.

Footages are doing rounds on social media show the train with "Z" markings arriving at Novobohdanivka, about 25km north of Melitopol, reports The Drive. Though the date and time of its arrival are unclear, a few videos have been indeed been geolocated to Novobohdanivka.

The videos show the train with two diesel locomotives and eight railcars. The lead locomotive is seen between two armored rail cars, while the locomotive at the rear is armed with a pair of ZU-23 twin-barrel 23mm automatic cannons.

The cannons are used against low-flying aircraft and targets on the ground, said the report, adding that the rail cars may be carrying vehicles that can provide firepower.

The train also has a boxcar, a passenger car, a flatbed car, two more armored railcars, the second locomotive and another flatbed trailing at the end. The flatbed in the middle seems to be carrying a concealed cargo, while the one at the end looks empty.

Russia is said to have over four armored trains, including "Amur" and "Baikal," that were earlier used in Chechnya during the war of Grozny. The main task of these trains is to escorts supply trains, repair tracks in a combat zone, clear mines, defend key logistics positions and support infantry. They also carry high-value material or personnel.

The last time these trains were in public view was in a 2016 drill. Their journey from Volgograd to Crimea was reportedly the first time in 15 years that Russia put its armored trains to use. The trains from the post-Soviet era were thought to be partially dismantled by the late 2000s but were then brought back into combat-capable service.

The reports about the armored train's arrival come as military watchers cite disruption in the supply line as a reason hindering the advancement of Russian troops. Videos and images from the war front also proved that Ukrainians were attacking the supply chains, with Turkish-made TB2 armed drones being used to carry out a strike on a Russian train carrying fuel to the front.

According to the U.S. intelligence, Russia could make more military success in southern Ukraine due to shorter lines of supply from Crimea. But, as the Russians push outward, the supply lines will get longer and hence more challenging.