The new regiments in the fleet will, among other things, equip the bases of ships
The formation of new marine engineering regiments has begun in the Russian Navy. One such military unit has already been created in the Pacific Ocean, and by the end of the year, similar ones will appear in other fleets. Such compounds can effectively operate on land and sea routes: to set up minefields and mine them, to create fortification facilities, as well as to storm enemy fortifications, to organize the bases of ships and vessels. Experts note that engineers are indispensable in amphibious operations, as well as in the dispersal of fleet forces.
From the landing to the bases
As sources in the military department told Izvestia, the decision on the formation of new marine engineering regiments (MIP) has already been made. The first such military unit was formed at the end of last year in the Pacific Ocean. By the end of 2024, the composition of fleets and flotillas will be replenished with several more marine engineering regiments. Izvestia sources refused to name the exact number of new formations and their locations. But according to the interlocutors of the publication, the new regiments should increase the combat capabilities of the Navy both on land and at sea.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
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In its structure, the MIP is in many ways identical to combined arms engineering regiments and brigades. They include units engaged in mine clearance, fighting enemy fortifications, as well as creating their own minefields and engineering obstacles, positions, etc. At the same time, marine engineering regiments are also able to create naval bases for warships, submarines and auxiliary vessels in a short time.
Marine engineering regiments must solve a fairly wide range of tasks — from ensuring amphibious landings to ensuring the basing of Navy ships in different places, military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia.
"There are sappers in the forward echelon for mine clearance," he explained. — The regiments will also ensure the approaches of our servicemen to the landing pads, engage in the barrier and assembly of autonomous obstacles. In addition, warships have certain bases. In the event of the outbreak of hostilities, the fleet is dispersed to different places, and they need to be equipped. For example, to put floating trains there, to ensure the supply of various material resources.
The expert stressed that in the current conditions, when there is a confrontation with a large number of foreign countries, the formation of new marine engineering regiments is quite an urgent task for both the Black Sea Fleet and the rest.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Alexander Polegenko
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— In the presence of marine engineering regiments, the landing takes place most effectively. They are the main force in providing it," military expert, Captain 1st rank Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia. — Engineers mine the coast even in peacetime, neutralize sea mines, and provide crossings. The navy is a big organism. In the Pacific, such a military unit is necessary because there is a coastline from the Bering Strait to Vladivostok. But they are also needed in other fleets.
The expert noted that these regiments differ from land ones in that they have a marine component, for example, divers.
In wartime and peacetime
To date, the Navy has one military unit of this profile — a separate engineering regiment of the Pacific Fleet. It was formed on the basis of a separate marine engineering battalion, which was responsible for demining or mining sections of the coast, buildings and technical structures during landings or defensive operations. As the battalion was transformed into a regiment, new functions were added, in particular the rapid equipment of berths and infrastructure for ship maintenance.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
Image source: iz.ru
Military personnel of marine engineering battalions participate in a special military operation. In particular, after the liberation of Mariupol, they cleared the territory of explosive objects. The military commander of Izvestia, Alexander Safiulin, talked about the demining of the city beach by the Russian military, noting that there is a sectoral cleaning of the territory from shells that were left in the air. Several machines were involved, and marine engineers carefully examined the water and land. After the shells were detected, they were detonated, and a large stream of water rose up. According to the correspondent, the Ukrainian militants were waiting for the Russian troops to enter from this side, but this did not happen, and all the mines went to civilians.
Later, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Denis Pushilin announced that the demining of the port and the water area of Mariupol had been completed, during which time about 12 thousand explosive objects had been neutralized.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Baturin
Image source: iz.ru
Marine engineers were actively involved during natural disasters, in particular when there were floods on the Amur River, they provided the local population with drinking water. More than once they participated in the aftermath of typhoons. In addition, military personnel of engineering units neutralize ammunition that remained after the Second World War.
In recent years, the Ministry of Defense has been conducting a large-scale reform of the engineering troops. From parts of the support, they turn into an independent strike force that is capable of participating in modern warfare. If earlier the actions of the sappers were limited to the construction of fortifications, clearing the route of troops and building bridges, now they are also focused on assault operations in cities, covert mining and rapid clearing of enemy explosive devices.
Battalions of sappers-stormtroopers are being created in all brigades of district and naval subordination, and engineering regiments in the armies are replenished with the same companies.
Alexey Mikhailov
