Chinese off‑road vehicles head to Kursk amid rising tensions
The Atesh guerrilla group has reported the sighting of Chinese Desertcross 1000-3 off-road vehicles en route to Kursk, according to the Defence Express portal.
The Atesh guerrilla group notes a convoy of military transporters carrying small Chinese Desertcross 1000-3 off-road vehicles has been observed heading towards Kursk. This convoy was spotted on the M-4 motorway, between Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh.
The movement of these vehicles to Kursk may indicate preparations for raids and sabotage missions near the Ukrainian border. Analysts at Defence Express suggest this could also represent a broader strategy to employ these mobile and light platforms in frontline operations.
Russians are relocating small Desertcross vehicles
The Desertcross 1000-3 vehicles are versatile, often utilised for patrols, reconnaissance, raids, supply transport, and the evacuation of the wounded. The Russian Ministry of Defence has already integrated 537 of these units into its arsenal, with plans to acquire nearly 1,600 more by the end of 2024.
The Desertcross 1000-3 is mounted on a dual-axle chassis with four-wheel drive and is powered by a petrol engine producing 87 hp. The engine allows the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 50 mph, with a fully fuelled Desertcross capable of covering a distance of 155 miles.
With an open design, the vehicle offers no protection for the crew against firearms. It measures no more than 11 feet in length, has a maximum width of 6 feet, and a height of 6 feet, with a ground clearance of 1 foot. This equipment, used by the Russians, is lightweight at just 1,050 kg (approximately 2,315 pounds) and has a payload capacity of 550 kg (approximately 1,213 pounds).
