Questions and concerns raised by Russia’s latest weapons purchase

Photos circulating online of a Chinese armored tactical vehicle in Russia have prompted questions and concerns from some news organizations. What’s the situation? Let's take a look at why this armored vehicle is in Moscow. 

According to Newsweek, the Russian Telegram channel ‘Avtobusy y Vobbechle’ posted a picture of a Chinese Dongfeng armored vehicle with a description that read: "Moscow Metro continues to arm itself.”

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

Newsweek noted that the Russian Telegram channel normally covered public transport issues and explained that the channel reported the armored vehicle was bought by the security department responsible for the Moscow subway system 

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

Evidence lending some credence to the claim could be found on the Chinese armored vehicle itself since the black tactical vehicle had the logo of Moscow’s subway system emblazoned on the side of the armored truck in red paint. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

The pro-Russian media outlet Tsargrad also reported that the all-terrain vehicle in the image was allegedly registered as “civilian special equipment” and had a license plate that was normally reserved for tractors according to Newsweek. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot YouTube @user-zu8ku4iu5p

Defense News wrote that the sighting of the Chinese armored vehicle in Moscow “raises questions, as it is unusual for a metro system to require an armored vehicle,” and added that the license plate and weaponized turret were also concerning. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot YouTube @user-zu8ku4iu5p

“Even more perplexing is that the vehicle, which is classified in China as a military anti-terrorist vehicle capable of withstanding hits from the AK-47 rifle, has been given civilian “tractor” license plates in Russia,” Defense Express explained. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

The Ukrainian military news outlet Militarnyi identified the Chinese armored vehicle as the Dongfeng EQ2091XFB but noted the vehicle did not have the Chinese automobile Dongfeng’s logo on it. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot YouTube @user-zu8ku4iu5p

“The vehicle was transferred to Russia with an armored turret, usually equipped with a heavy machine gun,” Militaryni noted. It also pointed out that a Dongfeng EQ2091XFB costs $130,000 but can be twice as expensive when all its options are added. 

Photo Credit: Screenshot YouTube @user-zu8ku4iu5p

The Dongfeng EQ2091XFB is classified as an all-terrain vehicle in China and is offered to law enforcement agencies. Militarnyi also pointed out that this isn’t the first armored vehicle that the Moscow subway systems security unit has received in recent months. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

“Over the past four months, the Russian subway’s transport security unit has received its fourth ballistic-protected vehicle: the first was the RIDA Buran, then the Z-STS Akhmat, then the Patrol, and now the Chinese Dongfeng has joined them,” Militarnyi noted. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

Why Moscow needs such vehicles for protecting its subway systems was questioned by Defense News, which noted that the “notion of an anti-terrorist armored vehicle for the metro operations [seemed] absurd.”

The most likely answer as to why Moscow needs such an advanced armored vehicle for its subway system’s protection is that the weapon was acquired to help establish a new internal security force approved by the Russian government in 2023. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @busandall

In April 2023, approved regulations allowing the Moscow mayor’s office to create a new security structure that could coordinate with Rosgvardiya (the National Guard of Russia) in the protection of the city’s subway system. 

“While the police will continue to guard the entrances and exits of the Moscow metro stations, the establishment of the departmental security service by the city has led to speculation and jokes among the Russians about the creation of the Metro private military company or a similar entity,” Defense News noted.

“However, these jokes may be taking on a more serious tone,” Defense News added, writing that there was speculation the security force could evolve into a private military company that could be deployed to the war in Ukraine.

Never miss a story! Click here to follow The Daily Digest.