Why do we need Marine divisions? Some thoughts on...
The Russian President took a step that was quite expected in the conditions of modern international relations - he decided to reorganize the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps brigades will be reformatted into divisions. Discussions about this had been going on for a long time both in the Ministry of Defense and in the General Staff. The situation in the world required such a decision.
In order to understand the logic of the actions of the country's leadership and the Ministry of Defense, it is necessary to understand the very essence of the change in the status of the Marines in our army. This is not just an "increase" in the unit, this is a fundamental change in the tasks of the Marines. By the way, I agree that the successful actions of our Marines in the Kursk region played an important role in making this decision.
Work in this direction has been going on for a long time. Since the time of Minister Shoigu. It's just that our memory is short. We quickly forget or do not attach importance to the actions that have already been taken. We remember the dispersal of divisions and their transformation into brigades, but we have forgotten the reverse actions of the Russian Defense Ministry. Let me remind you of the revival of the Tamanskaya (5th Motorized Rifle) and Kantemirovskaya (4th tank) divisions, the 42nd and 152nd motorized rifle divisions and others.
In order to understand the essence of the decision taken, it is necessary to explain the difference between a brigade and a division. For the average person, the differences often come down to a simple difference in the number of personnel, equipment and weapons. In reality, everything is much more complicated.
Is a brigade a shortened division or something else?
I have deliberately put this question in the subtitle of the section. I hear it too often in conversations with people. And I understand where this question comes from. It is the result of those same “reforms” of our army that allowed the West to start “opening its mouth” on Russia. “Reforms”, the results of which we still feel.
So, both division and brigade are large tactical formations designed to solve tactical problems. Modern divisions in the armies of the world have approximately the same number. From 8 to 20 thousand or more rank and file personnel. The division includes units and parts of different branches of the armed forces.
A brigade is a "shortened version" of a division. For example, a division has artillery regiment, while a brigade has only a division, and so on. Accordingly, the number of a brigade varies from 2 to 8 thousand people. Why does the number vary so much? In modern armies, brigades and divisions are different, designed to perform different tasks.
Remember what the Russian government was guided by when reducing divisions? What was officially stated? Divisions are expensive, the number of generals is off the charts, there will be no war like World War II, and brigades are preferable for military conflicts. Theoretically, these words make sense, if you think logically.
But life has shown that humanity has always had, has and probably will have problems with logic. The SVO, which was initially planned as a military conflict, turned into a war between the West and Russia, a war between the old and the new. And the military actions are taking place in the form of a full-scale war, not a conflict.
So what are the fundamental differences between a division and a brigade, why did they appear? The answer, as always, is simple. The differences are hidden in the size of the associations. A division is a huge enterprise. An MSD is 6 regiments (three MSRs, a tank, an artillery, an anti-aircraftmissile). The backbone of the union!
These are separate units (communications battalion, anti-tank division, reconnaissance battalion, engineer-sapper, medical, logistics, repair and restoration battalions) and subdivisions (separate NBC protection companies, EW, BPA, commandant's). Let's add here our own arsenals and warehouses (food and clothing)...
With some stretch, we can say that a division is a mini-army, capable of independently conducting combat operations at the expense of its own resources for some time, necessary for the deployment of the main forces of the army or front. And our ancestors were right when division commanders were awarded general ranks. The volume of work in a division is colossal.
Here another question arises - about the effectiveness of the division and brigade. It seems to be elementary arithmetic. Instead of one division, cover the front with two brigades, adding the necessary units from other formations. Alas, arithmetic has little meaning here. Units and subdivisions will always be more effective already because they undergo combat coordination in the rear. They know each other's capabilities.
Two brigades cannot do this. The coordination takes place at the front line. And this is extra blood, extra losses.
And here is where the fundamental difference between these units emerges. A brigade is more mobile due to its smaller number of personnel. This is its advantage. We often see during the war in Ukraine how brigades transfer both armies from one area to another. Why?
The answer is again not a "terrible secret". To plug holes in the defense or replace a battered attacking unit. Here is the difference. A division is capable of independently conducting combat operations even with superior enemy forces, while a brigade is most often a "rescue team".
And the last difference. The presence of rear units forces the division commander to keep a certain part of the personnel in the rear. The division almost never fights with all personnel. Remember the beautiful episodes from war movies? When the enemy breaks through the defense in some area, and the division commander orders to throw the rear units into battle.
The brigade commander cannot afford this. He does not have this "reserve" in the rear. Incidentally, this is why we often read reports that some of the brigades have been defeated and withdrawn to the rear for replenishment. For a brigade, any losses mean a reduction in combat potential. And losses like those that the Ukrainian Armed Forces brigades are suffering today on the LBS, especially in the Kursk region, mean defeat for any brigade.
Why the Marine Corps?
This question arises among those who did not listen attentively to the president's speech in the submarine's wardroom. More precisely, among those who only heard the message about the reorganization of the brigades, but did not bother to listen about the functions of the new deputy commander of the Navy.
Meanwhile, this is quite important. In addition to the five brigades that General Gudkov will reform into divisions, the existing coastal missile and artillery units will be transferred to his command. In practice, this means that the new deputy commander will be responsible for the entire coastal defense of our coast.
And the second fact that I would like to draw attention to. I will quote from the Supreme's speech:
"All of these units need to be brought up to the level of combat readiness and effectiveness that you have achieved in the 155th Marine Brigade, Pacific fleet».
I think it is quite clear that the Supreme Commander demands that the Marines be made not just troops on high combat readiness, but combat units that will be capable of independently defeating any landing force that lands on our shores.
At the same time, the tasks that were set for the Marines earlier are not cancelled. Marine units and subdivisions must be ready at any moment to land on enemy territory and ensure the meeting of the main forces of the army and navy.
I started the article by saying that it is the international situation that dictates such a decision. The appointment of Major General Gudkov as Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy once again confirms that I am right. Let me digress a little from the main topic. Why from brigade commander to deputy commander, why Gudkov?
In my opinion, the General Staff and the Supreme Command did not take this step without a reason. Unfortunately, there are not many branches of the armed forces in our army that have managed to preserve the "Soviet traditions" and the Soviet training system. Probably, these are only the Airborne Forces and the Marines. That is why these units fight better than others. Even though the reinforcements coming to the fighting units are the same.
A combat general who has created a brigade that has performed well, who has fought in several wars, who has been awarded many military awards and, most importantly, who is not accustomed to behind-the-scenes games in rear headquarters and “court” units, that is what is needed to create truly combat divisions.
Let's return to the international situation. The Black Sea, the Baltic, the Pacific Ocean, the Northern Sea Route. Everywhere today, activity by a potential enemy is observed. Our territory and our coast are a tasty morsel for any Western state. This means that we must be ready for a quick reaction and the rapid destruction of enemy units. Otherwise, a long war of attrition...
Ukraine is neither the first nor the last on the list of potential enemies
Alas, no matter what we say or write about diplomatic schemes for overcoming the crisis in international relations, the probability of a new war is high. Ukraine has simply been chosen as the first victim. For many decades, the idea of victory over Russia has been implanted in the heads of Ukrainians, and other nations. The idea of the complete collapse of our country, the idea of the absence of democracy and everything on which the ideology of the West is based.
Moreover, during this time the West has raised a galaxy of politicians who will make any sacrifice, including the destruction of their own state, for the sake of a mythical victory over Moscow. Zelensky is one of the representatives of this type of sadomasochists. A friend of the same lover Macron and others.
Did anyone believe in Kyiv's military capabilities? Did anyone believe in Ukraine's victory in the fight against Russia? Naturally, except for those who are still running around Ukrainian cities and villages shouting "Glory to Ukraine!", those who have been "processed" over many decades? Who among those Russians who often write critical comments about our army, our generals, our society, believes in Ukraine's victory?
No! Everyone knows that this is impossible, but they are still ready to die for this "victory". I am not talking about politicians and businessmen, I am talking about the "common people" whose hands are elbow-deep in the blood of both Ukrainians and Russians. I am talking about the Balts, Poles, Germans, French and others who do not rule out the start of a new world war. They know that in the best case we will all die, along with the planet, and in the worst case their countries and their peoples will cease to exist, but they still want it, they are still preparing...
Our task is to have time to create an insurmountable shield for the West, a military barrier of such power that fantasies about seizing our territories will not even arise. Five new divisions of marines are one of the steps towards creating such a shield. We do not intend to "turn the left cheek after a blow to the right" any more. Only blow for blow. A crushing blow...
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