Wishes and Needs: Russian Weapons for the DPR and LPR
SAM "Osa-AKM" military air defense. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
In connection with the deterioration of the situation in the Donbass, a proposal was made to provide military-technical assistance to the unrecognized republics. Russia could give them some samples of military products that they can use to strengthen the defense and to protect against the Ukrainian army. A decision on this issue has not yet been made, but an approximate list of desired samples is already known.
Strengthen the defense
The armed forces of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics are armed mainly with captured samples that were previously recaptured from the Ukrainian army. These weapons and equipment are not new, but they cope with urgent tasks and ensure the deterrence of the enemy. However, the situation in the region is deteriorating, which is why the LPR and DPR need to replenish their arsenals and parks.
Kiev is trying to re-equip its army and even shows some success in the form of modern models of various kinds. In addition, in recent weeks, foreign partners have handed over to him several batches of foreign-made weapons. part of it weapons positioned as defensive, but other samples are intended only for offensive operations.
Ukrainian Su-24 is a potential threat to the DPR and LPR. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
Such rearmament naturally causes concern in the DPR and LPR, and also attracts the attention of Moscow. Moreover, now we are talking about symmetrical measures in the form of real military-technical assistance to the two republics.
On January 26, the leadership of the United Russia party stated that in the current situation, it is necessary to transfer certain types of weapons to the Donbass republics. The party also appealed to the country's leadership with a request for such assistance. The proposed measures are expected to be a response to foreign arms transfers to Ukraine, as well as to protect Russian citizens in the region.
The top leadership of the country received this proposal, but so far has not reacted to it. Whether deliveries of weapons and other products to the Donbass armies will begin is unknown. The nomenclature of such assistance, if approved, also remains in question.
The needs of the republics
The approximate needs and desires of the unrecognized republics are already known. They were published on January 28 by Izvestia. The data was obtained by him from an unnamed source close to the leadership of the LPR and DPR. It is alleged that the republics are showing interest in air defense, rocket artillery and electronic warfare systems.
UAV Bayraktar TB2 is the main novelty in the Ukrainian army. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
To strengthen their air defense, they can request upgraded Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems. Artillery units require Grad-M and Tornado-G systems. To influence the communications and control loops of the enemy, the R-330 Zhitel electronic warfare systems are needed.
It is not known whether the wishes of the republics will be limited only to these products. Perhaps in the future, the DPR and LPR will request other products. At the moment, their fleet of equipment and weapons as a whole corresponds to current tasks and does not have radical problems, but any supply of new military products will not be superfluous.
Threats and Responses
It is not difficult to notice the main features of this list and imagine how the republics will be able to use such weapons when active hostilities resume. With such weapons, their armies will be able to improve their defenses and more effectively protect themselves and civilians from all major threats. In addition, the potential for retaliatory strikes will increase.
"Tor-M2" is a modern means of military air defense. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The desired Osa-AKM air defense systems, like any other means of air defense, have recently been of great importance for the defense of the republics. In recent months, the Ukrainian army has been using imported reconnaissance and strike Drones Bayraktar TB2. When used correctly, these products pose a serious threat to ground troops. Accordingly, to protect against such a threat, the DPR and LPR need new air defense systems.
It should be noted that the Osa-AKM systems alone do not guarantee reliable protection against attack and / or reconnaissance UAVs. For the construction of a full-fledged air defense, corresponding to the existing risks, other products and systems may be needed. Whether they will ask Russia for them - time will tell.
As an addition to anti-aircraft systems, electronic warfare systems of the type named R-330 can be used. Systems of this family, such as "Resident", are able to detect communication channels and suppress them with interference. They can be used to combat enemy UAVs of all classes, as well as to violate the contours of command and control. If deliveries are not limited to the R-330 systems alone, the enemy's position will worsen further.
EW R-330 complex. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The armies of the republics have quite numerous and developed rocket artillery, which a few years ago showed its capabilities. In the near future, it can be strengthened by the supply of equipment from Russia. Thanks to this, the capabilities of the LNR and the DNR in retaliatory strikes will increase. Thus, the Tornado-G system is not inferior in range to the old Grad, but has advantages in firing accuracy.
Additional help
If Russia decides to help with military equipment, the republics will be able to receive not only the products named by the Izvestia source. Of no less interest to the armies of Donbass is a whole range of weapons and equipment of other classes. At present, the threat from Ukraine is complex – and the response should be the same.
Air defense, artillery and radio engineering units can be replenished not only with Wasp, Resident or Tornado. They will need complexes of other models with different characteristics and capabilities. This will make it possible to form a layered defense and flexible strike systems that correspond to current threats.
To protect against an offensive and for counterattacks, various armored vehicles, up to the main tanks. A certain amount of armored vehicles is already available in the republics, but it is not distinguished by novelty and high performance. The transfer of modern samples would ensure parity or even superiority over the enemy.
MLRS "Tornado-G" firing at the training ground. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The issue of supply is of great importance. Together with the complexes and samples, shells, missiles, spare parts, etc. must be supplied. The republics have a certain stock of the necessary products, however, for long-term and active combat work, additional supplies of them are needed.
Military-technical assistance should consist not only in the transfer of finished products and ammunition, but also in the training of personnel. Russia will have to organize training for operators and crews so that they can fully use the potential of the received weapons. However, training may take some time, which leads to some risks and requires special attention.
Symmetric measures
The situation in Donbass has deteriorated markedly in recent weeks. Under the pretext of repelling "Russian aggression", the Ukrainian army is moving troops, weapons and equipment to the region. In addition, Kiev has already received several batches of foreign weapons and expects new ones. All these processes pose a direct threat to the two republics and their inhabitants, a significant part of whom are citizens of Russia, and require an appropriate response.
To solve these problems, United Russia proposes to provide the republics with full-fledged military-technical assistance. Such a proposal has already been submitted to the country's leadership and is now under consideration. Apparently, a decision on this issue will be made in the coming days. The situation in the region is deteriorating, and there is less and less time for analysis and assessments.
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