Chinese-made Tiger 4×4 armored vehicles, supplied by Russia to its forces in Ukraine, have been seen on the battlefield, according to a report by Militarnyi.
The ZFB-05 Xinxing vehicles, also known as the Tiger, were spotted in use by Russian troops on the battlefield, showcasing a new level of foreign military equipment support for Moscow’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine.
Images circulated on Russian social media show the Tiger vehicles equipped with various battlefield modifications, including anti-drone protection for the hood, folding windshield armor, side projection shields, and a fortified machine gun turret.
These armored personnel carriers, originally produced by China’s Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Manufacturing, are part of an increasing presence of foreign-made hardware in the Russian military’s operations in Ukraine.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, confirmed in June 2023 that Russian forces had received their first batch of Chinese-made vehicles.
Kadyrov released footage showing the new Tiger vehicles being deployed for use by Chechen units participating in what Russia calls its “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine. These forces have gained a notorious reputation for their brutal conduct in areas such as Bucha, Mariupol, and Bakhmut.
The Tiger (ZFB-05), a 4×4 armored personnel carrier, is versatile, with the ability to be adapted for roles including patrols, command posts, or as ambulances. With a crew of two and the capacity to carry nine fully equipped infantrymen, the vehicle is designed for both military and police applications. Since its introduction at the 2012 Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, the Tiger has been exported to various countries, including Bolivia, Tajikistan, and Somalia.
The presence of the Tigr vehicles on the front lines raises questions about China’s role in the conflict, as these vehicles offer Russia additional armored capabilities for troop transport and offensive operations. Although China has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the war, the sighting of Chinese-made vehicles on the battlefield underscores the complexities of international defense relationships in times of conflict.