Experts explained the importance of reorganizing the Russian Marine Corps
Vladimir Putin announced the upcoming reorganization of the Marine Corps: the brigades of this component of the troops will be reformatted into divisions. Experts note that this decision will have a positive effect on the adaptability of units to changing combat conditions. At the same time, the reorganization of the Marine Corps, oddly enough, is dictated, among other things, by its outstanding successes within the framework of its military.
The General Staff and the Ministry of Defense have approved a program to reorganize the Marine Corps. This was stated by President Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine [...] . According to him, divisions will be gradually formed for the Marines. The first two are planned to be created this year. One of them will include the famous 155th brigade.
"This is a lot of work that will be related primarily to the organization of combat training," the president explained. He also noted that in this regard, it is necessary to think especially carefully about "organizational changes", weapons and means of communication. In addition, during the meeting, the Russian leader noted the successes of the Marines during the special operation.
"They are working well, well done," Putin stressed, addressing Mikhail Gudkov, commander of the 155th brigade. It is noteworthy that the military was unexpectedly promoted. According to the Russian leader, he will be appointed to the post of deputy commander of the Navy, writes TASS. "Your experience needs to be replicated to other departments," he explained.
The President indicated that Gudkov's area of responsibility would now include the command of the entire Marine Corps, as well as missile and artillery coastal troops. He will have to bring the effectiveness of all units to the level of the 155th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet (Pacific Fleet). "The task is simple, although large–scale," the head of state added.
Recall that during the special operation, the Marines demonstrated special valor. More than 20 thousand representatives of the Marine Corps were awarded for heroism, and 26 of them received the title Hero of Russia. Last year, Vladimir Putin even established Marine Corps Day, which is now celebrated on November 27.
The 155th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet is particularly successful. Its fighters have proven themselves to be highly professional since the first year of their military training, for which the unit was awarded the name "Guards" in 2022. Two years later, its tankers played a key role in the liberation of Ugledar, and at the same time, the unit distinguished itself with significant achievements in the de-occupation of the Kursk region.
So, in early March, the soldiers of the 155th brigade broke through the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the border area by 11.5 km in three incomplete days. Lenta.ru The commanders of the assault companies with the call signs Twilight and Zheka called such a pace "extremely rapid." Another formation, the 810th Brigade, is no less effective.
In particular, two of her attack aircraft with the call signs Kumys and Byba took the village of Kurilovka in the Kursk region. In an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda, they said that their main task was to mine the road leading from the village. They spent about 40 days separated from the main forces of the Russian army.
"Now the Marines are working as a military ambulance. They are assigned the most dangerous tasks. The soldiers made an invaluable contribution to the most important operations of the conflict, for example, the liberation of the Kursk region," says military expert Vasily Dandykin, captain of the first rank of the reserve.
In his opinion, the effectiveness of the Marines is dictated by several reasons. Firstly, they managed to preserve the continuity of centuries-old traditions of military prowess. "Their history dates back to the time of Peter the Great.
The practices of several centuries are not forgotten and are passed down from generation to generation.
Secondly, the fighters are trained according to a well-developed training system. The best of the best get into the ranks of the Marines: from both a physical and a moral point of view. There is no other way, because they will have to become warriors of the "three elements". Soldiers are taught how to disembark, parachute jump and hand–to-hand combat," he emphasizes.
"Moreover, an individual approach is applied. Management tries to take into account the characteristics of each recruit. Based on the personal indicators of a novice military man, they are engaged in a special program with him. This practice allows us to raise really good soldiers," the expert said.
"Thirdly, many Marines have been trained in conflicts in the Caucasus and Syria. They know firsthand what combat is and are willing to share their experiences with their young colleagues. The combination of these factors makes it possible to consider the Marines as the real elite of the Russian army," the source believes.
In his opinion, the reorganization of the Marine Corps will further increase its effectiveness. "We should have moved to divisions a long time ago. Unlike a brigade, it solves much more complex and deep tasks. It may include regiments of different orientation, for example, amphibious assault, tank, reconnaissance," he explains.
"Accordingly, the Marines will become more adaptable to various combat situations.
In addition, the number of personnel in the division is significantly higher than that of the brigade. They are still solving large–scale non-trivial tasks, and after the reform they will turn into an incredible mechanism for achieving military goals," the expert believes.
"Of course, against this background, the question of increasing the pace of training of future Marines will arise. I think sooner or later we will even face the need to open a specialized Marine Corps academy. This, of course, would be a great honor for our fighters, which they undoubtedly deserve," added Dandykin.
The new structure of the Russian Marine Corps is dictated by the demands of the times and the changing nature of the fighting, adds military expert Alexei Anpilogov. After the reorganization, the new units will be able to solve a wide range of combat missions.
"A division is a more versatile unit. The brigade has always been more of an expeditionary force that can hardly hold the front in the current medium-intensity conflicts. Such conflicts include, for example, our special operation.
In general, a brigade as a variant of a military formation is alien to our tradition.",
– He says. According to the interlocutor, the transition to brigades in Russia took place in the noughties in the wake of attempts to reformat the army in the Western manner. "There was a logic to it. Brigades, as a rule, were good for amphibious warfare, as they meant a quick transfer of soldiers," the source recalls.
"Now we are returning to Soviet practices, which is encouraging. Of course, divisions require a lot of effort in terms of logistics and supplies. In addition, a significant expansion of the staff will be required, but this change is still necessary to make the Marines even more effective fighters," the expert clarifies.
"Their specialization is the implementation of amphibious landings or crossing water barriers, the capture and retention of bridgeheads. However, Russia's military doctrine is defensive, so their future tasks are likely to be related to the post-conflict period. In particular, soldiers will become reliable protection of our maritime borders," Anpilogov concluded.
Evgeny Pozdnyakov
