What is the future of Russian special forces after the reform?
The problem of reorganizing military intelligence and special forces in the context of reforming the armed forces and bringing them to a new look is perhaps the most discussed in society. At the same time, it is important to note that opinions are divided on this issue: a part of the population supports reforms, but more people still speak very critically about innovations. By and large, the main reason for this attitude is the lack of plausible information, although special forces, by definition, should not devote their plans to the public. But today, keeping pace with the times, it seems quite logical to discuss the problem of military reform.
Among people interested in the military topic, there are rumors that the secret units of the Russian special forces are conducting secret special operations around the world. But this information was refuted by the captain of the 1st rank of naval intelligence fleet G. Sizikov. According to him, in peacetime there is no need to conduct such operations. Of course, the military leadership is obliged to have reliable data about a potential enemy, but ordinary scouts can quite cope with this task.
Even today, the Russian special forces have a much more important task - the reorganization of the management system. The need for reform is indicated by a large number of facts. So, for example, experts say that it is necessary to modernize the Russian special operations forces, following the example of other states of the world. But at the same time, there is a clear reluctance or inability to modernize the Russian special forces in such a way that it meets the requirements of modernity. Despite the fact that the decision regarding the creation of special operations forces in Russia was still made, the first steps in its implementation are frankly surprising. So, it is not clear why liquidate separate brigades of special forces or subordinate them to other departments.
At present, there is a very widespread opinion that army special forces for its intended purpose, that is, as a tool for operational intelligence, cannot be used properly in the alleged scenarios of armed conflicts. In addition, in matters of tactics, there is also a lack of intelligence for the successful conduct of hostilities. A vivid example of this is the situation in South Ossetia, when Russian special forces had a real opportunity to show themselves from the best side. Instead of successfully operating in the Georgian rear and providing intelligence to "their", as well as adjusting aviation and artillery attacks on enemy positions, the public became available information that Russian special forces were moving at random and in the end more than once were ambushed ...
It often happens that the special forces units are obliged to change their places of deployment. At the same time, the opinion is quite seriously expressed that those who do not support the decisions of the leadership of the military department and who do not like reforming the armed forces have no place there. And sometimes the situation comes frankly to the point of absurdity: the dissenters are almost blamed for the collapse of the army and the state as a whole.
So, recently there was information that the 24-th separate brigade of special forces must be transferred to a new location. Note that this unit was relocated to Irkutsk from Ulan-Ude in the 2009 year, breaking the 700 kilometers under its own power. Now it is ordered to move to Novosibirsk, while the families of military personnel remain in Irkutsk ...
This decision has caused a large number of questions, the answers to which are not yet available. If this decision is related to politics, then how can its expediency be explained? Indeed, in the case of the transfer of the brigade, in the territory from Ulan-Ude to Novosibirsk, and this 1500 kilometers in a straight line there will not be a single military unit or unit?
If the decision has military roots, then how and what to explain that a quarter of the state’s territory, which is strategically important (this is where Baikal is located - the source of fresh water), remains defenseless. And how will the mobility of the armed forces be achieved and operational strategic command posts established, if the nearest military unit is more than 2 thousand kilometers?
At its core, special forces are specially created, trained and equipped units of the army, which are designed to perform certain tasks in order to achieve political, military and other goals in wartime and in peacetime.
As for the GRU special forces, this unit was created to conduct sabotage behind enemy lines in enemy territories, to conduct various counter-actions, conduct special intelligence and create a partisan movement in the rear of the enemy. But, according to the new reform, the GRU special forces no longer exist, because the GRU control no longer controls this special unit. Here is such a result ...
But the account of the Soviet special forces was a huge number of successful operations. His finest hour is considered to be the times when military operations were conducted in Afghanistan. At that time, the special forces included 14 separate brigades, two training regiments, of the order of 30, separate companies. When hostilities began in Afghanistan, it was the special forces that served as the basis for creating the 15 and 22 separate brigades of the special forces, which operated in the conflict zone. Three-quarters of all operations carried out there during the war years did not go without the active participation of special forces, even though their number did not exceed 1 percent of the total number of the Soviet army.
During the war years in Chechnya, the GRU special forces also took an active part in conducting special operations. During this period, 29 special forces received the titles of Heroes of Russia, and for 2002 a year about 2 thousands of special forces were awarded combat medals and orders.
In addition, to achieve the full staff in the Krasnodar Territory, the 10-I Special Forces Special (Special) Brigade was additionally formed, which was stationed in the Crimea during the USSR.
Thus, at the time of the beginning of the reform of the Russian armed forces, the special forces had 9 special brigades. They included 5 Heroes of the Soviet Union and 30 Heroes of Russia. This is a vivid testimony not only of the fact that special forces soldiers are distinguished by their special courage and loyalty to the country, but also that they possess highly professional skills and a great deal of combat experience.
Special forces brigades were distributed in all six military districts. In 2005-2007, funds were allocated to the 2, 16, 10, and 22 brigades as part of the federal target program Transition to Contract. There was not enough money for the 24 and 14 teams. The condition of the 67 Special Forces Special Forces Brigade was extremely difficult, because for many years no money was allocated for its maintenance and development. The only thing that was done at the place of its deployment was a major overhaul of the barracks.
Moreover, if we consider the period of 2003-2010, both teams — 14 and 24 — received a total of about 3 million rubles (!) For the development of the field base, infrastructure and training grounds.
In 2007, the 67-I Special Forces Special Forces Brigade, which was engaged in conducting operations in Chechnya, was disbanded. Initially, it was assumed that funds would be allocated for its arrangement, but then suddenly an order was received to disband it. Thus, the special forces, who had extensive combat experience, became useless to the state and government. Most of the fighters quit, some went to serve in other military units, up to the rear support units.
And now the “hands have reached” and to the 24 brigade. Initially, the unit was stationed in Ulan-Ude. There was a good training base, which made it possible to most effectively conduct combat training. And since the brigade was not far from the airfield, it is safe to say that it was a truly mobile military unit. Almost all personnel were provided with housing. And the infrastructure of the military base and its communications made it possible without much expense to equip a brigade in accordance with the latest world standards.
Suddenly, the military leadership decides to transfer the brigade to Irkutsk, without explaining its reasons. Moreover, no funds were allocated for the "relocation", so the unit was forced to redeploy on its own (and this is 700 kilometers). That the military department won from such rearrangements is completely incomprehensible, since at the new place there was neither an appropriate training base, nor a training ground where they could be engaged in combat training and shooting. In addition, the fighters, instead of training, were forced to arrange the unit, and at their own expense.
But even despite all the difficulties, the 24-I brigade remained on top, taking high prizes in the army events.
And here is a new solution - another redeployment - this time to Novosibirsk, where several years ago the 67 Brigade was abolished ...
The development prospects of the 24 Special Forces Brigade at the new place, alas, is not much. New movement again takes precious time that could be spent on combat training. Instead, the fighters will be forced to protect a huge territory, develop infrastructure. The brigade will also not be able to conduct combat training in full, since the territory of the military unit itself is located in the center of the city, but there is no training ground. Moreover, the standard of living of servicemen at the new location will drop significantly, as their family members will again become unemployed and will be forced to look for ways to settle, because the Ministry of Defense does not undertake to render assistance in finding work for them.
If the situation continues to develop in a similar vein, then very soon Russia will have to forget about the special forces. Or it is necessary to change the policy in respect of special forces. At present, the future of the special forces fighters depends only on the head of state, on how interested he is in the existence of a force capable of protecting the national interests and security of the country in the international arena.
To do this, it is necessary to monitor the implementation of a very wide range of tasks that will really help to reform the special forces, turning it into a combat-ready, professional, mobile, compact, well-equipped and trained force.
Materials used:
http://zavtra.ru/content/view/nuzhen-li-rossii-spetsnaz/
http://republic.com.ua/article/9524-old.html
http://rusiank.livejournal.com/884263.html
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