What is a battalion tactical group? What is its size? Compound? What 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 within the framework of this article.
Introduction
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 a motorized infantry company(s), 2-4 tanks, units with ATGMs, mortars, reconnaissance, engineering and rear groups. It can be covered by fire support helicopters, divisional artillery and a platoon of anti-aircraft guns. The tactical group of the battalion is a novelty in military affairs. Something similar happened before, but in the form it is now, it 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.
Getting Started
The Eastern Ukrainian Front is an example of modern warfare. It uses hybrid warfare, cyberspace operations, a gray area. 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 and strike model of operations. It is built on the close interaction of unmanned aerial vehicles with fire weapons, which increases the speed of fire support for individual formations. What is now unfolding can be described as a siege war.
The most striking example is the strike of the Russian army on the Ukrainian city of Zelenopolye, carried out on July 11, 2014. In it, the cumulative 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 firepower.
How was it?
It should be noted that initially the Ukrainian army began to use such formations. The fact is that at the time of the start of the conflict, with a staffing strength of one hundred thousand people, only about 6,000 were actually combat-ready. There were also problems with the operation of equipment (aviation, tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles). And it was problematic to form full-fledged units.
Therefore, initially, as a temporary solution,and battalion tactical groups were created. Their number then was often at the company level, but, nevertheless, the beginning was laid.
But let's get back to the Russian army's attack on Zelenopolye. This operation was conceived and executed as a pre-emptive strike against the Ukrainian brigades that were deployed in the assembly area and were preparing to launch a counteroffensive 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. Two battalions of equipment were destroyed. After that, this combat unit entrenched itself on the battlefields.
What are Russian battalion tactical groups?
They are composed of a company of soldiers, tanks, mortars and an artillery battery. Additionally, air formations, special forces groups and other units can be attached, allowing them to perform the assigned combat missions. Specific weapons may be issued (for example, VSS "Vintorez") to achieve existing goals. Here is their composition and armament.
Battalion-tactical groups were rated as effective, albeit very subtle tools. In the framework of the Ukrainian-Russian war of the twenty-first century, they proved themselves to be units with operational flexibility. This led the General Staff to decide to increase their number to 125 units by the end of 2018. Moreover, priority is givenformation on a contract basis.
It is planned that the conscripted personnel will be involved in rear formations. This will allow you to quickly and efficiently respond to all emerging threats (for example, one hundred to two hundred thousand Chinese suddenly decide to cross the border of the country) and take the necessary decisions to eliminate them.
Where do they apply?
So, we have already considered weapons, composition and strength. The battalion tactical group proved to be a good unit. Where else is it used, except in Ukraine?
Syria is an example. A similar strategy is currently being implemented there. The most famous, albeit defeatist, example is the situation that occurred at the beginning of 2018, when a battalion tactical group of Russian servicemen, according to one information, from a mixed unit, was defeated at night by the US military forces. Although, if the soldiers of the Russian Federation confront local terrorists, then usually the results are more personal.
Review of use cases
To better imagine what a battalion tactical group of the RF Armed Forces is like 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.
Ilovaisk can be considered as the next situation. This city is on the highwayof strategic importance, which connected the advanced units on the Ukrainian front with Russia. Then the task was to clean it up to ensure supply routes. To accomplish this goal, numerous battalion tactical groups were formed and transferred from the Southern Military District. These forces surrounded the Ukrainian city along with the troops stationed in them. Many soldiers then reported that they always heard the buzz of drones before active operations.
And what is the result?
Over time, the situation has become very sad. So much so that we had to look for a political solution to this problem. So the contract "Minsk-1" was signed. According to it, the troops (battalion tactical groups) created a green corridor and allowed the Ukrainian formations to withdraw.
But there was a place for deception. A real massacre was staged in Ilovaisk: over a thousand Ukrainian soldiers died. It feels like no one taught anyone not to trust the enemy. This bloody episode put an end to hopes for a quick solution to the conflict. But he also anchored battalion tactical teams on the modern battlefield.
Influence on modern military art
The presence of such operations made it possible to obtain high-quality combat practice in the framework of combined arms maneuvers. This has been achieved at all levels of command. Moreover, what is especially important, the military is involved not only as simple observers, but also as participantsfighting.
Of course, in case of defeat, they may face criminal prosecution, and the atmosphere of secrecy that the Russian authorities deploy around the use of battalion tactical groups also plays a role. So, this previously led to problems with obtaining the status of a combatant and receiving the corresponding benefits.
Besides, 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, respectful attitude. Alas, such a cowardly policy of the highest echelons of power leads to the fact that soldiers are regarded as mere mercenaries whose lives are 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 had also been shown by the top political leadership of the Russian Federation in relation to those whom it controls, then it is quite possible that this would have resulted in a whole range of measures that would allow ending this conflict long ago.
