What is the effect of Russia’s strengthening of forces in the Western Military District (WMD)?

According to Gerasimov, in the last five years attached to WMD headquarters, a Tank Army was formed, as well as two mechanised divisions, another tank division and two artillery brigades. Aviation units operating in the WMD received 185 new aircraft and helicopters, the Baltic fleet has received 19 new ships, including units equipped with the Kalibr cruise-missile systems (NATO: Klub). Moreover, in Kaliningrad Oblast, the coastal defence missile systems were strengthened with Bastion (SSC-5) and Bal (SSC-6 Sennight) mobile missile systems. Compared to Russia’s other military districts, the forces stationed in the WMD have undergone the most reorganisation and reinforcement. This shows that Russia perceives a threat coming from the west and the Russian military sees it as a pivotal area. Strengthening the forces operating in the country’s western areas has become the specific challenge of the armed forces’ reform launched in 2009 (the so-called Serdiukov reforms).

What units were formed in the Southern and Central MDs?

In the Southern MD, a new field army, two mechanised divisions and two brigades—one rocket, the other air—were formed. Moreover, the forces stationed in Crimea were strengthened. On the peninsula, an independent operational formation that includes two new divisions—missile defence and air— were added, along with an infantry corps and a naval base. These units received, among others, the Bastion and Bal systems, while the Black Sea Fleet took on six submarines and two frigates were equipped with the Kalibr systems. In the Central MD, three new divisions—one tank and two mechanised—and a rocket brigade were created. Russia’s strengthening of these two districts is especially significant to the situation in Ukraine—if fighting resumes in Donbas, Russia has sufficient forces close enough to intervene almost immediately.

Was the Eastern MD strengthened?

It was relatively less strengthened. It total, an infantry corps and four brigades—artillery, rocket, anti-aircraft, and military aviation—were formed. Units there have been equipped with the Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) and Bastion and Bal systems. The Pacific Fleet received 23 new ships and the aviation wings took on 289 aircraft and helicopters. This indicates that although the EMD is the largest by land area, the Russians do not perceive the threat in the east as particularly urgent. However, it can be assumed that the growing threat from North Korea will prompt Russia to strengthen units there with missile defence systems.

What is the significance of the strengthening of Russia’s Strategic Forces?

In his statement, Gerasimov also stressed the modernisation of Russian Strategic Forces. He noted that almost three-fourths of its armaments are “modern”—put into service in recent years. He added that the Russian Strategic Forces are capable of an attack on any country, even those with missile defence systems. His statement shows that Russia treats its Strategic Forces as the basis of its defence and deterrence. It also confirms assumptions about Russian military doctrine that the country is willing to use nuclear force, even against NATO countries. It also demonstrates the relative weakness of Russia’s conventional forces, which, despite significant strengthening through the Serdiukov reform programme, are still not a key element of Russian military planning.