Over the past decade, Russia has recreated at least 10 divisions of the ground forces, new connections are being formed. Polish observers drew attention to this process., who saw in it preparation for conducting offensive operations.
Nature of transactions, for which the Russian army is preparing, changed, especially in terms of offensive operations. Divisions have more combat potential, than brigades, especially when attacking- noted in the publication Defense24.
As explained, the rollback from the Serdyukov-Makarov brigade reform was gradual. AT 2013-2020 years as part of the SV was formed 10 divisions: 8 motorized rifle (of BMP or APC) and two armored (2-I, 3-I, 18-I, 19-I, 42-I, 127-I, 144-I and 150th and 4th and 90th respectively). New connections are being formed, including the 20th motorized rifle and 47th tank divisions.
According to the author, the offensive core is represented precisely by divisions. In the Western Military District, this is the 4th Kantemirovskaya TD and the 2nd Tamanskaya Motor Rifle Division (in the 1st Panzer Army), 3-I and the 144th md (in the 20th combined arms army). In the Southern Military District - the 20th Motor Rifle Division and "extremely strong" (2 tank and 2 motorized rifle regiment) 150-i msd (in the 8th army), 19-I and the 42nd Motor Rifle Division (in the 58th army). In the Air Defense Forces - 127th Motor Rifle Division (in the 5th army). Freshly minted shock units get new and upgraded vehicles, such as T-72B3 tanks, BMP-3, BTR-82A, SAU "Coalition-SV", MLRS "Tornado-G", ZRK "Tor-M2».
It is noted, that divisions differ structurally, having in its composition a different number of regiments and tank battalions:
for example, 150-I division is extremely saturated with tanks, this is formally motorized rifle, de facto armored division with a full-time fleet of almost 250 OBT. As the author points out, recovery about 12 divisions of the ground forces (of them 10 to 2020 year) indicates a massive structural change, associated with the gradual abandonment of the brigade level.
The process of creating new formations at the divisional level began in Russia in 2013 year, but after the annexation of Crimea, it accelerated significantly. This is due to the fact, that the Russian army is much more, than before, considers participating in a high-intensity conflict. For this kind of encounter, the brigade structure is not quite suitable due to the restrictions imposed on it., eg, by deployment timeline- The author believes.
