View source for Engineering:Russian armoured train Baikal

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Baikal
| image              = 
| image_size         = 
| alt                = 
| caption            = 
| type               = [[Engineering:Armoured train|Armoured train]]
| origin             = {{wipe|Russia}}
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = Yes
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = 
| is_artillery       = Yes
| is_vehicle         = Yes
| is_missile         = 
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 2016–Present
| used_by            = {{RUS}}<br>*{{army|RUS}}
| wars               =2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Western Military District
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = Western Military District
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 1
| variants           =
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             =
| length             = {{convert|336|ft|m|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} (2016 configuration)<br>{{convert|432|ft|m|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} (2022 configuration)
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 1,435mm gauge <ref name="railwaypro">{{cite web|url=https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/russian-flat-cars-obtain-era-certification/|title=Russian flat cars obtain ERA certification|website=Railwaypro|access-date=23 June 2023}}</ref>
| crew               = 
| passengers         = 
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
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| feed               = 
| sights             = 
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
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| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
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<!-- Bladed weapon specifications --> 
| blade_type         = 
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<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
| filling            = 
| filling_weight     = 
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| yield              = 
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = 20mm rolled steel <ref name="aberfoylesecurity"/><br>Sandbags with wooden panels<ref name="ArmyRecognition"/><br>Mine-resistant ballast materials<ref name="ArmyRecognition"/>
| primary_armament   = 1x [[Engineering:ZU-23-2|ZU-23-2]] cannon (2016 configuration)<br>2x [[Engineering:ZU-23-2|ZU-23-2]] cannons (2022 configuration)
| secondary_armament = 1x Kamysh M4K electronic warfare system<ref name="aberfoylesecurity"/><br>1x unknown anti-air missile system<ref name="BulgarianMilitary"/><br>2-4x Machine gun emplacements<br>2x [[Engineering:AGS-17|AGS-17 grenade launchers]]
| engine             = 1x ChME3-type locomotive (2016 configuration)<br>2x ChME3-type locomotive (2022 configuration)
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| payload_capacity   = 
| transmission       = 
| suspension         = 
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| fuel_capacity      = 
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| speed              = 
| guidance           = 
| steering           = 
<!-- Missiles only -->
| wingspan           = 
| propellant         = 
| ceiling            = 
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| launch_platform    = 
| transport          =
<!-- For all -->
| ref                = 
}}

The Russian [[Engineering:Armoured train|armoured train]] Baikal is an armoured train currently in use by {{wipe|Russia}} in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<ref name="PopularMechanics">{{cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39386078/russian-armored-train-in-ukraine/|title=It Sure Looks Like an Armored Train Is Part of Putin’s War Machine|website=PopularMechanics|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref> Unlike the trains, [[Engineering:Russian armoured train Yenisei|Yenisei]] and [[Engineering:Russian armoured train Volga|Volga]], Baikal was already built long before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Both Baikal and its sister train, [[Engineering:Russian armoured train Amur|Amur]] was reactivated back in 2016, originally for rear-line logistical purposes.<ref name="TheDrive">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4881/russia-has-revived-its-armored-trains|title=Russia Has Revived its Armored Trains|website=TheDrive|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref>

==Specifications and details==

Baikal saw substantial changes in configuration between its reactivation in 2016, to its participation in the Ukrainian invasion in 2022. Originally, like its sister train Amur, Baikal only had one ChME3-type locomotive to power it and consisted of a total of 8 cars including locomotive. In total, Baikal was 102.4 meters long given that each wagon is made from the standard [[Company:United Wagon Company|United Wagon Company]] Sgmmns 40’ flat car, which is 40 feet long.<ref name="railwaypro"/> Its 2016 layout was as followed: A cover platform at the front, an anti-aircraft gun car armed with a [[Engineering:ZU-23-2|ZU-23-2]], the ChME3-class locomotive, a kitchen and dining car, a sleeper car, a radio station car, a HQ car for command and control, and a [[Social:Electronic warfare|electronic warfare]] jammer car armed with a Kamysh M4K system that could also be used for anti-mine purposes.<ref name="aberfoylesecurity">{{cite web|url=https://www.aberfoylesecurity.com/?p=3873|title=Russia’s Counter-Insurgency Armored Trains Enter the Electronics Age|website=Aberfoyle International Security|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref> For defence, the anti-air gun car is protected by shields and rolled steel of unknown thickness and both Amur and Baikal utilize heavily on camouflage nets helps reduce the visibility of the armored trains as targets.<ref name="aberfoylesecurity"/>

By 2022, Baikal was extended from an eight wagon train to a ten wagon train. An additional ChME3-type locomotive was added to provide more power to the train and the train was overall, far more symmetrical. Its two locomotives for example, was protected by a corresponding anti-air armored car at the back, each equipped with ZU-23s. Meanwhile, the front of the train representing its 'face' consisted of an open-top armoured car filled with Russian troops, machine gun and [[Engineering:AGS-17|AGS-17 grenade launcher]] emplacements featuring VOG-17 30mm ammunition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/russian-armored-train-automatic-cannons-ukraine-invasion/|title=Russian ‘Armored Train’ Equipped With Automatic Cannons & Painted With ‘Z’ Mark Joins The Ukraine Invasion|website=Eurasian Times|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/muntagab/status/1650906421507112964|title=Eye Witness Report|website=Twitter|access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="ArmyRecognition"/> Behind the front anti-air car, Baikal has a box car that is assumed to be armed with a covert anti-air missile system. An armored passenger HQ car follows behind said box car which serves as both a compartment for weaponry and the command center for operational activities; firing apertures on the sides allow personnel to engage targets using their personal firearms from within the protected interior. <ref name="ArmyRecognition">{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukraine_-_russia_conflict_war_2022/second_russian_armored_train_deployed_in_ukraine_with_bmp-2_ifv_loaded_on_railway_car.html|title=Second Russian armored train deployed in Ukraine with BMP-2 IFV loaded on railway car}}</ref> Following said passenger HQ car is a flatbed car for vehicle transportation purposes in the central part of the train. Afterwards, there is an additional open-top armored car before transitioning to the second anti-air car and locomotive. At the end of the train lay another flatbed car for equipment loading purposes.<ref name="BulgarianMilitary">{{cite web|url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2023/04/26/russia-showed-its-railway-armored-fortress-baikal-in-the-war-zone/|title=Russia showed its railway ‘armored fortress’ Baikal in the war zone|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref> For defence, the entire train carriage is protected by shields and rolled steel of up to 20mm which is further reinforced by sandbags behind wooden panels.<ref name="ArmyRecognition"/> To counter mine explosions, the train incorporates platforms loaded with ballast materials like sand-filled bags, rails, and sleepers which act as a safeguard against the effects of mine explosions.<ref name="ArmyRecognition"/> Additionally, both Amur and Baikal utilize heavily on camouflage nets to help reduce the visibility of the armored trains as targets.<ref name="aberfoylesecurity"/> In total, the 2022 configuration made Baikal 131.6 meters long and the list of equipment makes Baikal the most armed of its 'sister' trains.

Amur and Baikal, was originally used for logistical exercises back in 2016,<ref name="RailTarget">{{cite web|url=https://www.railtarget.eu/freight/video-russia-sent-an-armoured-train-into-battle-2010.html|title=VIDEO: Russia sent an armoured train into battle. An effective weapon from the Second World War is still terrifying today|website=Rail Target|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref> however, with the advent of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Baikal performed a role similar to that of Yenisei, in which it was primarily used as a rear-line unit meant for technical reconnaissance, mine clearance, and the restoration of the railway track and small man-made constructions with minimal destruction.<ref name="EurasianTimes">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurasiantimes.com/fortress-on-wheels-russia-flaunts-its-heavy-duty-armored-train-used-for-critical-military-missions-in-ukraine/|title=Fortress On Wheels: Russia Flaunts Its Heavy-Duty Armored Train Used For Critical Military Missions In Ukraine|website=The Eurasian Times|access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref> Although this has changed recently by December 2023, to a more active role in the front lines.<ref name=BM2/> Like Volga, Baikal also has a dedicated UAV drone team for scouting and reconnaissance purposes.<ref name="BulgarianMilitary"/>

==History==
Outside of training exercises in 2016, Baikal saw extensive military action during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Of the armoured trains present in this conflict, Baikal has a more known service history. Baikal was first reported on early March 2022, where it was reported that the train was directly involved in Russian military activities within Ukraine.<ref name=BM2>{{cite web|url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2023/12/18/troops-of-the-russian-armored-train-train-behind-the-combat-zone/|title=Troops of the Russian ‘armored train’ train behind the combat zone|website=Bulgarianmilitary|access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> The first 'official' sighting was registered on March 9, 2022, where the train was geolocated around 25km north of Melitopol at that time.<ref name=BM2/> The purpose of deploying Baikal so close to the front line was assumed to be more defensive in nature.<ref name=BM2/> Baikal was to be used as a mobile fortress, a [[Engineering:Landship|landship]] on rails needed to safeguard the military supplies of the Russian army near the vicinity of the warzone.<ref name=BM2/> This indicates that the crew of Baikal was trained to have a higher measure of alertness against Ukrainian sabotage attempts behind Russian lines.<ref name=BM2/> Indeed, videos emerged that showcased exercises conducted on an unidentified armoured train - likely Yenisei given the presence of the loaded [[Engineering:BMP-2|BMP-2]] - where the train's soldiers, supported by two [[Engineering:Armoured personnel carrier|armoured personnel carrier]]s, formed a column of two, with the train subsequently retracting from the battle scene.<ref name=sohu>{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/744877827_633835?scm=10000.2026_13-101000-0_922.0-0.0.10095_6_151&spm=smpc.channel_230.block3_52_frLlQF_1_fd.2.1702839076532cZ5kxqk_269|title=俄军“装甲列车”部队在战区后方训练，准备奔赴战场？|website=Sohu|access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> The exercise was reported to be called as an "offensive" or "sabotage task force".<ref name=BM2/> The nature of such maneuvres is deduced as a way to better streamline the dropping off of equipment and personnel in a new form of engagement strategy akin to a landing ship.<ref name=BM2/>

== See also ==
*Armoured trains
*[[Engineering:Russian armoured train Yenisei|Russian armoured train Yenisei]]
*[[Engineering:Russian armoured train Volga|Russian armoured train Volga]]
*[[Engineering:Russian armoured train Amur|Russian armoured train Amur]]
*[[Engineering:Krajina Express|Krajina Express]]
*[[Engineering:List of armoured trains|List of armoured trains]]
*2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
*List of Russo-Ukrainian War military equipment
*Russo-Ukrainian War

==References==
<references/>
{{PostWWIISovietAFVS}}

[[Category:Armoured trains]]

{{Sourceattribution|Russian armoured train Baikal}}