Izvestia — about the structural changes in the army and Navy that took place in 2023
In 2023, the reform of the Russian Armed Forces continued. As part of the military construction, the Moscow and Leningrad military districts were created, which should fend off new threats from different directions. The Marine Corps formations have noticeably strengthened. Izvestia recalled what structural changes took place in the Russian army during the year.
New districts
One of the main events of the past year was the division of the Western Military District into two — Moscow and Leningrad. Now this process is in the final stage.
For the first time, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced plans to divide the Far East into two districts back in 2022. On December 19, 2023, at the board of the military department, the minister stated that the formation of these associations continues. According to him, this is being done in connection with Finland's accession to NATO and the upcoming admission of Sweden to the alliance.
Until the beginning of the last decade, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation had six districts: Moscow, Leningrad, North Caucasus, Volga-Ural, Siberian and Far Eastern. After the first stage of the military reform, which took place in 2008-2011, there were four left: the Western One with headquarters in St. Petersburg, the Southern One, the Central One and the Eastern One. Later, the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy received the status equal to the district.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Zurab Javakhadze
Image source: iz.ru
The Western Military District includes three armies: the 6th combined arms in the north, the 1st Guards Tank in the central regions and the 20th combined arms in the south.
In addition, the coastal troops of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets, as well as specialized brigades of district subordination, were subordinate to the commander of the district troops. The ZVO troops covered the entire western border of Russia.
After the completion of the formation of two districts, Leningrad will fend off threats from Finland, Sweden and the Baltic States, and Moscow — in the Ukrainian direction.
— The Western Military District was responsible for the western strategic direction — it looked at Poland and Germany through Belarus, — military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. — The district also partially looked after the north — in particular, the district of St. Petersburg. There was no threat from neutral Finland, but now the situation has changed. This country joined NATO, and we received more than a thousand kilometers of border with the North Atlantic Alliance. Thus, the Western District received another strategic front — the northwestern one. Two strategic directions per district is a lot. For this reason, the call was divided. Moskovsky will look to the West, and Estonia and Finland will become Leningrad's area of responsibility.
Divisions of the "black berets"
In 2023, the formation of Marine divisions continued on the basis of existing brigades. The development of the organizational and staff structure of the newly formed compounds has already been completed. They should become multifunctional and capable of performing various tasks, including humanitarian and peacekeeping ones.
The transfer of the Marine Corps from the brigade to the divisional level primarily increases the number of staff management and logistics structures, military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia.
— SVO has confirmed that logistics and management are of great importance, — he noted. — The people who will be responsible for this need to be trained first. They must learn how to manage a division that is significantly larger than a brigade. A full divisional set will also be added. If the marine brigade had a division of self-propelled guns and a battery of Grads, then the division will already have a full-fledged artillery regiment. At first, such a skeleton will unfold, on which the rest will then be built up. This refers directly to the infantry units that will have to fight.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Alexander Polegenko
Image source: iz.ru
The main force of the division will be the Marine infantry battalions. In addition to the Marine Corps companies, they will include amphibious assault companies. The personnel will train in parachuting and helicopter landings.
The battalions include anti-tank units and mortar batteries. At least one battalion will be peacekeeping, and its personnel will receive special training.
Three battalions of Marines will be consolidated into a regiment. The number of regiments in one division will vary depending on the location.
Separate reconnaissance and amphibious companies will also appear in the regiments. Their fighters will train in parachuting, learn to conduct deep reconnaissance, as special forces units do, as well as assault operations.
Marine Infantry regiments and batteries of multiple rocket launchers "Tornado-G" will be reinforced. And at the division level, the artillery will be represented by the latest tracked howitzers "Malva".
To my native harbor
By the end of 2023, four fleets and the Caspian Flotilla left the command of the military districts and returned to the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Nikolai Evmenov.
Now the fleet's combat operations plans are developed not by the headquarters of the military districts, but by the General Staff.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
Image source: iz.ru
Prior to that, the Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific Fleets, along with the Caspian Flotilla, were subordinate to the respective military districts, and the Northern Fleet (SF) had the status of a military district and was a joint strategic command (USC).
The fleets became subordinate to the district commanders as a result of the military reform of the beginning of the last decade.
In addition, as sources of Izvestia reported, the Air Force (Air Force), the Russian air defense system (air defense) and ground forces located in the area of responsibility of the Northern Fleet in four regions of the north of the country will be transferred to the Leningrad Military District, which is under formation.
Roman Kretsul
Bogdan Stepovoy
