Partisans discover Chinese buggies moving to Kursk for potential Russian sabotage
Photo: Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 buggy (westcentralpowersports.com)
Military convoys with Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles have been spotted in the Kursk region, Russia. The deployment of these buggies could indicate Moscow's intention to intensify saboteurs' raids in this region and along the Ukrainian border, according to the ATESH partisan movement.
Representatives of the underground movement noted that the Chinese buggies were transported by military trucks, which were moving in a convoy along the M-4 highway.
“These vehicles are used for various tasks: patrol and reconnaissance operations, raids, cargo transportation, and evacuation of the wounded,” ATESH stated.
The Russian Ministry of Defense previously reported that the Russian military had received 537 Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles. Additionally, Moscow plans to purchase another 1,590 units of these buggies by the end of this year.
“The accumulation of buggies may signal preparations by Russian forces for raid and sabotage operations in the Kursk region and other areas bordering Ukraine,” ATESH added.
Furthermore, the partisans mentioned that this could also indicate an increased use of this equipment across the entire front line.
Russians' use of Chinese buggies
In December 2023, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) listed the Chinese company Shandong Odes among the war sponsors for selling ATVs to the Russian army.
According to NACP, in March and April 2023, the company sent 137 Desertcross vehicles to Russia, valued at over $1.5 million. From October 2022 to August 2023, Shandong Odes exported spare parts for ATVs and all-terrain vehicles to Russia, totaling more than $19 million.
In May of this year, British intelligence reported that since the beginning of 2024, Russia has increased its use of light vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles and high-mobility motorcycles, to transport personnel to the frontlines and conduct attacks on Ukrainian positions, especially at night.
