The locomotive factory in Datong had developed the HXD2 together with Alstom. An only slightly modified variant was developed for use in Belarus, which is also a double locomotive with two four-axle sections. The total output of both sections is 9,600 kW and thanks to an axle load of 25 tonnes, a tractive effort of 760 kN is possible. The twelve ordered double locomotives were delivered in 2011 within a few months.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Georgian State Railways had many heavy double locomotives in use, but did not need such heavy machines for lighter trains. The solution was to build a single locomotive from ВЛ10 which were no longer needed, using one car body each.

These locomotives, built in the Soviet Union or in Tbilisi, were each given an additional cab and equipped with the more modern control switch of the ВЛ11M. This resulted in 15 examples of the new model 4E10, which is primarily intended for freight trains and, thanks to its electric train heating, is also often used in passenger service. One of these 15 went to Russia, but has since been put aside.

After the turn of the millennium, the RŽD needed a new heavy freight electric locomotive for its network with 3,000 volts DC, whereupon the 2ЭС4К (2ES4K) was developed. This was primarily intended to replace the older two-section locomotives of the ВЛ10 and ВЛ11 series, which were built more than 2,000 times. In order to accelerate the development and to be able to set up large-scale production in a short time, the aim was to have as many identical parts as possible with the 2ЭС5К AC locomotive. This in turn was based on the ВЛ80, which had been in use since 1961.

Like the locomotives to be replaced, the 2ЭС4К consists of two sections, each with two two-axle bogies. As with older DC locomotives, the traction motors are traditionally controlled via series and parallel circuits and resistors. The only new thing is a microprocessor control that monitors various aspects.

As of mid-2020, 148 2ЭС4К and four 2ЕЛ4 for Ukraine had been produced, showing some variations. By using additional center sections without driver's cabs, 76 3ЭС4К were built up to the same time, each with a total output of 9,600 kW. The locomotives are used in two regions in the North Caucasus and on the October line between Moscow and St. Petersburg.