What is a battalion tactical group? What is its size? Composition? What kind of weapons does she have? Where are they used? What is their purpose? All these questions, as well as a number of others, will be answered in the framework of this article.
Introductory information
Start here with a definition of terminology. The battalion tactical group is a temporary unit. It is created for combat. The base of the battalion is used as the basis. Includes motorized infantry company (s), 2-4 tanks, subunits with ATGMs, mortars, reconnaissance, engineering and rear groups. It can be covered by fire support helicopters, divisional artillery and a platoon of anti-aircraft installations. The tactical group of the battalion squad is a novelty in military affairs. Something similar happened before, but in the form as it is now, took shape relatively recently - during the conflict with Ukraine, which has been going on since 2014. Therefore, as part of the explanation of their features, there will be many references to it.
Start use
The East Ukrainian Front is an example of modern warfare. It uses hybrid warfare, operations in cyberspace, and the gray zone. Of course, there are many familiar moments that allow us to talk about the traditional framework, but there are also new aspects.
One of the most indicative are the battalion tactical groups, as well as the reconnaissance-strike model of operations. It is built on the close interaction of unmanned aerial vehicles with fire means, which increases the speed of support of individual compounds by fire. What has unfolded now can be described as a siege war.
The most striking example is the strike of the Russian army in the Ukrainian city of Zelenopolie on July 11, 2014. In it, the total effect was ensured through the use of drones and a battalion tactical group - a special formed unit designed to provide tactical superiority over the enemy using conventional fire weapons.
How it was?
It should be noted that the Ukrainian army began to use such compounds initially. The fact is that at the time of the outbreak of the conflict, with a staffing of one hundred thousand people, only about 6,000 were really combat-ready. There were also problems with the operation of equipment (aircraft, tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles). And to form full-fledged units was problematic.
Therefore, initially, as a temporary solution, battalion tactical groups were created. Their number then often was at the company level, but, nevertheless, the beginning was laid.
But back to the Russian army’s strike at Zelenopol. This operation was conceived and carried out as a preemptive strike on the Ukrainian brigades, which were deployed in the area of concentration and were preparing to launch a counterattack against the armed forces of the Russian Federation. At the same time, drones always flew before artillery and missile strikes.
As a result of active actions, the Ukrainian side lost thirty people, several hundred wounded. The equipment for two battalions was destroyed. After that, this combat unit was fixed on the battlefield.
What are the battalion tactical groups of the Russian Federation?
They are composed of a company of soldiers, tanks, mortars and an artillery battery. In addition, air formations, special forces and other units can be attached to perform combat missions. Specific weapons (such as VSS Vintorez) may be issued to achieve existing goals. Here is their composition and armament.
The battalion-tactical groups were rated as effective, albeit very delicate instruments. In the framework of the Ukrainian-Russian war of the twenty-first century, they proved to be compounds with operational flexibility. This led to the fact that the General Staff decided to increase their number to 125 pieces by the end of 2018. Moreover, priority is given to the formation on a contract basis.
It is planned that the personnel who came upon the draft will be involved in the rear formations. This will allow you to quickly and quickly respond to all emerging threats (for example, one hundred and two hundred thousand Chinese people suddenly decide to cross the border of the country) and make the decisions necessary to eliminate them.
Where do they apply?
So, we have already considered weapons, composition and strength. The battalion tactical group has established itself as a good unit. Where else is it used, except in Ukraine?
An example is Syria. A similar strategy of actions is being implemented there. As the most well-known, albeit defeatist, example, one can cite the situation that occurred at the beginning of 2018, when a battalion tactical group of Russian servicemen, according to one information, according to another, from a mixed unit to a dry one, was defeated at night by the US military. Although, if the soldiers of the Russian Federation oppose local terrorists, then usually the results are more personal.
Case Studies
In order to better imagine what the battalion tactical group of the RF Armed Forces is in action, we can consider several episodes with their participation. Since Ukraine is the most active in this regard, attention will be paid to it.
As the next situation, Ilovaysk can be considered. This city is located on a strategic highway that connected the advanced units on the Ukrainian front with Russia. Then there was the task of stripping it to ensure supply routes. To accomplish this, numerous battalion tactical groups were formed and transported from the Southern Military District. These forces surrounded the Ukrainian city along with the troops stationed in them. Many soldiers then reported that before vigorous action they always heard the buzz of drones.
And what is the result?
Over time, the situation became very sad. So much so that I had to look for a political solution to this problem. So the contract "Minsk-1" was signed. According to him, troops (battalion tactical groups) created a green corridor and allowed Ukrainian units to withdraw.
But there was a place for deception. In Ilovaisk, a real massacre was organized: over a thousand Ukrainian soldiers died. It feels like nobody taught anyone not to trust the enemy. This bloody episode put an end to hopes for a quick resolution to the conflict. But he also secured battalion tactical groups on the modern battlefield.
Influence on contemporary military art
The presence of such operations made it possible to obtain high-quality combat practice as part of combined-arms maneuvers. This has been achieved at all levels of command. Moreover, which is especially important, the military is involved not only as simple observers, but also as participants in hostilities.
Of course, in the event of defeat, criminal prosecution can wait for them, and the atmosphere of closure that the Russian authorities are deploying around the use of battalion tactical groups also plays a role. So, this previously led to problems with obtaining the status of a participant in hostilities and obtaining appropriate benefits.
Moreover, since the Russian Federation has not declared an official war, the soldiers of the armed forces cannot count on proper treatment when captured: food, medical care, and respect. Alas, such a cowardly policy of the highest echelons of power leads to the fact that soldiers are regarded as simple mercenaries, whose life is not protected by any international treaty.
To the honor of the Ukrainian side, it treats the fighters of the Russian Federation with respect, providing them with everything necessary as fighters of the regular armed forces. If such an attitude were also shown by the highest political leadership of the Russian Federation in relation to those whom it controls, it is quite possible that this would result in a whole range of measures that would allow this conflict to be completed long ago.