Russian military convoy heads to Ukraine with new recognition symbol

The Russians have repeatedly posted on social media recordings depicting subsequent transports of tanks and other armoured vehicles to the front. Usually, however, the trains carrying the weapons contained a dozen or so machines – this was the case with the vintage T-62s sent to fight in March this year and numerous transports of the latest T-90M Proryv.

Now, the Russian Federation plans to "flood" Ukraine with another supply of military machines—the latest support batch is different from the others for several reasons. First, various types of machines can be seen on the train—trucks, smaller armoured vehicles, medical vehicles, a tank, and technical equipment for building bridges. It's a broad cross-section of Russian military equipment.

Another significant aspect is the number of vehicles being transported. The recording shows at least 35 cars for various purposes. The last important detail is their markings. Each of them has a new symbol that was first noticed in the ranks of the Russian Federation at the beginning of May this year. This is a sign of a crossed-out rhombus, which has replaced the previously used letter "Z" on equipment participating in the conflict with Ukraine. The gathering of various machines with the same new marking may indicate plans to use the equipment in a coordinated action, such as for launching a massive offensive.

Among all the machines heading towards Ukraine from the Russian city of Yefremov (Tula region), where the train was spotted, only one tank is visible in the recording. This is a T-62M, an upgraded model compared to its predecessor (T-62) with enhanced armour. This is due to additional composite armour placed on the front part of the hull and turret.

The T-62M also features new tracks borrowed from the T-72. Combined with a new 600 hp engine, they were intended to increase the design's mobility. However, due to the tank's enhanced armour, its weight also increased, so the modernised T-62M did not stand out in this regard compared to the basic T-62.

The other machines visible on the train include many trucks, such as the Ural-4320. These versatile constructions can carry up to 30 people or loads weighing 5,000 kilograms. The lack of a significant number of tanks and equipment primarily intended for attacking the opponent, as well as the presence of technical equipment (such as for building bridges), can form the basis for suspicions that the Russians are planning to deploy infantry to the front and prepare the necessary infrastructure to start operations.