A school for training drivers of Chinese all-terrain vehicles was opened in Russia

13 December, 2024 Chinese Desertcross 1000-3 ATV in the Russian Army. December 2024. Frame from the video of the Russian Ministry of Defense

Russia has begun to train drivers on Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles, which the Russian invaders use at the front. An extreme driving track was set up at one of the training grounds. There, instructors conduct classes with the Russian military, who are involved in the hostilities against Ukraine.

During the training, the Russians perform various obstacle course driving exercises on Chinese all-terrain vehicles. The length of the training route is 5 kilometers. The assault units of the Russian invaders use, in particular, Desertcross 1000-3 vehicles to transport ammunition and food to their positions, as well as military personnel and the wounded soldiers.

The Chinese all-terrain vehicles were first spotted by Russian troops in Ukraine in November last year. They are manufactured by the Chinese company Shandong Odes Industry.

Training of Russian drivers on the Chinese Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles.

December, 2024. Frame from the video of the Russian Defense Ministry

Subsequently, the Russians began to modernize some all-terrain vehicles by installing "grills," smoke bombs, and electronic warfare (EW) systems on them. After that, there were repeated reports of the active use and destruction of these vehicles on the front line.

The Russian Ministry of Defense previously reported that the invasion army had already received 537 Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles. In addition, Moscow planned to purchase another 1,590 units of such Chinese buggies by the end of this year.

Chinese Desertcross-1000-3 all-terrain vehicle hit by a Ukrainian drone and the body of a Russian soldier in the camera of a Ukrainian drone. January 2024.

Ukraine. Frame from the video of the 53rd Brigade

The cost of the basic configuration for the Russian army was RUB 1.58 million, and the modified version was RUB 2.1 million.

Previously, a convoy of Russian military tractors with these Chinese all-terrain vehicles was spotted heading toward Kursk. Currently, Ukrainian troops control part of the Kursk region, and the Russians are trying to drive them out.

Desertcross 1000-3

The all-wheel drive Desertcross 1000-3 is equipped with a 72-horsepower gasoline engine with a fuel tank capacity of 50 liters. The total weight of the all-terrain vehicle is 916 kilograms.

It can carry cargo weighing up to 300 kilograms, and this is quite enough for transporting towed mortars with little ammunition.