Russian forces in Ukraine’s Donetsk region have deployed a novel defensive tactic by utilizing a vast array of freight carriages to create a barrier against Ukrainian troops. This “tsar train,” spanning approximately 30 kilometers (or just under 19 miles) between the Russian-controlled towns of Olenivka and Volnovakha, serves as a substantial obstacle near the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Key Points:
- The tsar train, composed of around 2,100 freight carriages according to the Ukrainian open-source intelligence tracker DeepState, has been established to impede the progress of Ukrainian Defense Forces. While its effectiveness remains uncertain, its primary objective is clear: to obstruct Ukrainian advances.
- Satellite imagery from May 2023 and February 2024, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), indicates the extensive line of carriages connecting Olenivka and Volnovakha. Russia initiated the construction of the tsar train in July 2023, indicating a strategic effort to fortify defenses in a region plagued by intense conflict.
- DeepState suggests that the tsar train can be viewed as a separate defensive line due to its formidable nature, making it challenging to damage, relocate, or dismantle. It effectively blocks the movement of equipment without breaking through the corridor.
- Positioned less than four miles from the front line at its nearest point, the railway line holds strategic importance in the ongoing conflict, particularly in a region witnessing heavy fighting. The construction of the tsar train in a relatively inactive area of the front suggests a proactive measure by Russian forces to strengthen their defenses.
This deployment of the “tsar train” represents a notable development in the conflict, showcasing both innovative and traditional military engineering tactics in modern warfare.
