Russian army exercises in 2021
In order to maintain combat effectiveness, skills and abilities, exercises and trainings of various scales are regularly held in the Russian army. In the outgoing 2021, the total number of such events in the armed forces almost reached 5 thousand. Units and formations of all branches of the armed forces were involved in the maneuvers, and both domestic and foreign training grounds became sites for their conduct.
General indicators
The results of the year in the context of exercises and maneuvers were summed up at a recent expanded meeting of the Collegium of the Ministry of Defense. The head of the defense department and the press service revealed all the main indicators of this kind, and also drew attention to certain events of particular interest.
It is reported that in 2021, the plan for conducting exercises and exercises was fully implemented. Their total number this year has reached 4843. 1597 interspecific exercises and 2112 two-way maneuvers have been conducted. Also 45 international events took place. For all these indicators, there is a significant increase in comparison with the previous 2020 - by tens or more.
The practice of carrying out surprise checks of combat readiness continued. Units and formations without warning raised the alarm and transferred to remote training grounds to perform training tasks. This year, the plans for such exercises provided for the dispatch of troops over distances of more than 3,5 thousand km, and the tested units successfully coped with the assigned tasks.
In the course of numerous exercises, the troops have demonstrated their ability to work successfully independently and in cooperation with foreign colleagues, incl. at foreign landfills. International exercises involving a number of friendly armies were held at various sites in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. There were also exercises of the naval fleet with access to remote areas of the World Ocean.
As the Minister of Defense noted in his report, this year's intense combat training made it possible to increase the level of training of commanders and staffs when performing tasks in unfamiliar terrain. In addition, the overall coherence of army units and formations has improved. In general, this year's exercises and trainings have led to the desired results.
Large-scale exercise
The largest, notable and important this year was the West-2021 international strategic exercise, which took place in mid-September. The main participants in these maneuvers were the armed forces of Russia and Belarus; also attended by representatives of the SCO and CSTO. The total number of personnel involved in the exercises reached 200 thousand people. Thousands of units of military and special equipment, weapons, etc. were involved. Various episodes of maneuvers were carried out at Russian and Belarusian training grounds.
The scenario of "West-2021" provided for the development of a wide range of training tasks, including the transfer of formations to remote ranges, work in unfamiliar terrain, defense and offensive. Some tasks, such as the night landing of large airborne units, were practiced for the first time in such conditions.
Practically the entire spectrum of military equipment and weapons of the Russian army was involved in the September exercises. In addition, a number of fundamentally new samples were used and tested. For the first time in domestic practice, in the same battle formations with tanks, BMP and armored personnel carriers operated shock robotic systems of several types. A large role was allocated to the unmanned aviation, incl. the most recent samples.
At different polygons
Also noteworthy are several other smaller exercises this year. So, in April, interspecific maneuvers of the troops of the Southern Military District took place. More than 10 thousand servicemen, approx. 1,2 thousand units equipment, 40 ships and up to 200 aircraft.
The scenario of the exercise provided for the active joint work of different types of troops. In particular, during a key episode of approx. 2 thousand paratroopers of the Airborne Forces landed in the rear of the mock enemy and knocked out his command structures, and also blocked the approach of reinforcements. Then they were joined by the Marines, who landed ashore.
Several different exercises took place in Central Asia. So, in September, at the Kyrgyz Edelweiss training ground, the "Rubezh-2021" maneuvers took place, during which the Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Central Asian region showed their skills. In October and November, the exercises "Echelon", "Indestructible Brotherhood" and "Cobalt" were held on the territory of Tajikistan and Russia with the involvement of various armies of the CSTO countries.
The exercises in Crimea and Central Asia have shown the ability and readiness of the Russian army to defend the country's borders from various threats. So, in the Black Sea region, the fight against a relatively well-prepared enemy was being practiced, and the exercises within the CSTO were aimed at countering terrorism. In both cases, the Russian army and foreign colleagues showed the required level of training.
Naval maneuvers
During the year, ships and vessels of the navy were repeatedly involved in training events of various scales. The maneuvers took place off the Russian coast and at a great distance from the bases. Also, our ships took part in international events.
In mid-February, a detachment of Russian ships took part in the Aman-2021 exercises organized by the Pakistani Navy. The interaction of the fleets of seven countries was worked out; another 30 states sent their observers. The main goal of the exercises was to fight the conditional pirates.
In March and April, in the area of Franz Josef Land, a complex operation "Umka" took place with the participation of the Northern Fleet and a number of scientific organizations. Together they carried out maneuvers at high latitudes, and also carried out a number of studies. The most attention was drawn to the episode of the operation with the simultaneous emergence of three nuclear submarines from under the ice and under-ice torpedo shooting.
In mid-June, a major exercise by the Pacific Fleet took place. 20 ships, vessels and submarines from the Pacific Fleet secretly entered the specified area of the Pacific Ocean at a distance of about 4 thousand km from their bases. General issues of work in the far sea zone were being worked out. Also carried out a combat training search and fight against air, surface and underwater enemies. This is the first time this kind of exercise has been carried out.
Results of the year
The Russian armed forces regularly conduct various exercises, which allows them to maintain the necessary combat effectiveness, as well as increase all the main indicators. In addition, several other tasks are being solved, incl. of a military-political nature.
This year, as before, there has been an increase in the number and intensity of maneuvers. The number of such events has grown, as has the number of personnel, equipment and weapons involved. The positive consequences of this are obvious. More servicemen were able to test and improve their skills and abilities, which should have a certain impact on the general condition of the army.
It is easy to see that some of the exercises were carried out in strategically important areas and in areas of particular importance. Thus, the army has clearly demonstrated its capabilities of combat work in the Arctic, the Pacific Ocean, the Black Sea and other regions. In fact, the exercises took place wherever there are military-political risks. Seen in this light, they can be seen as a transparent hint designed to cool hot heads abroad.
Thus, the plans for exercises and activities for the outgoing year were fully implemented and all the tasks were solved. With their help, the combat readiness of units, formations and entire branches of the armed forces was checked, the necessary experience was gained and important signals were given. In the context of exercises and maneuvers, the year ends with positive results. And in the very near future, the troops will again have to begin regular exercises.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
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