[img]http://2.bp..com/-e90VTARb0gM/VmUPdKiqGzI/AAAAAAAAquI/GQ7RhEXpm1U/s1600/Russion_military_map_04_12-1024x855.jpg[/img]
Executive Summary


As 2015 is drawing to a close, it is clear that the Russian military is expecting 2016 to e at least as eventful as this and last year were, with the still-smouldering conflict on the Donbass and the still-escalating war in Syria, both of which could conceivably demand a Russian military commitment up to and including a sizable ground operation. Considering the combination of the recent developments such as the formation and/or reorganization of combat units, the intensification of combat training, and the emergence of growing number of units staffed solely or mainly by contract soldiers, it is evident that plans for ground operations are being developed, so far only as contingencies. However, 2014 and 2015 showed that Russian contingency plans can very quickly become a reality should the situation demand it, and 2016 is not likely to be different.


Strategic Forces


1. New command and control aircraft delivery



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UlSh4kzhTc


Location: Chkalovskiy; Nizhniy Novgorod


The Il-86VKP is a “doomsday aircraft” intended to command Russia’s nuclear forces in wartime. It can also fulfill the role of a command aircraft for conventional military operations.

2. Strategic Rocket Forces to undergo more surprise inspections in 2016
[img]http://4.bp..com/-njUaZWGIxJ4/VmUQLxTPI4I/AAAAAAAAquQ/6xQ04Jbwmg4/s1600/2.jpg[/img]
Location: Moscow


While RVSN units conducted about 100 alerts and battle drills, this number will increase in 2016.

Ground Forces and Airborne Forces

3. Russian units reported participating in ground fighting in Syria
[img]http://3.bp..com/-ZG5yXUQyDkQ/VmUPYWiCKsI/AAAAAAAAqt4/aE_xSEb1t38/s1600/3.jpg[/img]
Location: Latakia


Syrian journalists Russian Naval Infantry supported by T-90A MBTs and Su-25 attack aircraft conducted offensive operations against militant strongpoints at various sectors of the front. There were separate reports that Syrian mechanized units were using T-90A MBTs which, however, could have been crewed by Russian servicemen.
[img]http://1.bp..com/-tgKQ7nXaOSs/VmUPDSd4rEI/AAAAAAAAqtw/KH_pljSt9KI/s1600/lat.jpg[/img]

4. Two motorized rifle brigades to undergo battle drills
[img]http://1.bp..com/-HSSPAzUFXFk/VmUHMZ4dzNI/AAAAAAAAqsU/ZBc6MgD7H7Y/s1600/04.jpg[/img]
Location: Nizhniy Novgorod


The brigades will train at the brand-new Western Military District training area patterned after the US NTC. The training will entail live-fire exercises, maneuver training, as well as a brigade-level force-on-force exercise.

5. New artillery brigade
[img]http://2.bp..com/-VsLg2NlYO8w/VmUHMW7AU0I/AAAAAAAAqtU/kjHcmEH7MrA/s1600/05.jpg[/img]
Location: Buryatiya

It appears this is a reactivation of cadred unit, as it is equipped with mostly self-propelled systems of older manufacture, including 122mm 2S1, 152mm 2S5, and 204mm 2S7 SP howitzers. More than 85% of the brigade’s soldiers are serving on multi-year contracts as opposed to one-year draft, suggesting the brigade is intended for deployments outside the country.


6. New training regimen for peacekeeping brigade
[img]http://3.bp..com/-w62CoEKd-AI/VmUHMeoWBxI/AAAAAAAAqtg/QeNDEK5CbzM/s1600/06.jpg[/img]


Location: Samara


The Central Military District motorized rifle brigade that is optimized for peacekeeping operations will implement a new training regimen for units that are fully staffed by contract soldiers. The combined individual and unit training cycle is scheduled to last 10 months.

7. Army aviation reorganization
[img]http://3.bp..com/-eu9sWNdP7Wk/VmUHMr_zwjI/AAAAAAAAqtc/lskAk2VjVvI/s1600/07.jpg[/img]
Location: Krasnopol, Rostov, Stavropol


Army aviation bases at these locations are being transformed into army aviation regiments and brigades in order to improve their ability to plan and conduct combat operations.


8. First assault engineer battalion formed

[img]http://3.bp..com/--3DecDqBHYw/VmUHMlagv7I/AAAAAAAAqtY/FWbEeswpaz0/s1600/08.jpg[/img]
Location: Murom, Vladimir Region


The newly formed battalion is part of the Supreme Command reserve, and there are plans to form a battalion of this type in each combined arms army. The battalions’ mission is to facilitate offensive operations by overcoming enemy fortified defensive positions.

9. Increase in contract soldier staffing
[img]http://3.bp..com/-22OPjIHbUUw/VmUHNLLzpnI/AAAAAAAAqtQ/GfMdQ5MOBvI/s1600/09.jpg[/img]

Location: Dagestan


The Dagestan-based motorized rifle brigades received 400 contract service soldiers this year, or 35% more than in the previous year. In general, contract-staffed units tend to be the more likely ones to be sent on missions abroad, and the increase in contract staffing in this case reflects the desire to improve readiness and deployability of affected units.


Air Forces

10. S-400 live-fire exercise
[img]http://2.bp..com/-L-tJG5Cexqc/VmUHNIOZm8I/AAAAAAAAqsc/JhhN_9xOSOs/s1600/10.jpg[/img]
Location: Kapustin Yar


The missile systems were used to destroy maneuvering ballistic targets.

11. Eleventh S-400 regiment delivered
[img]http://2.bp..com/-95QZxksXadc/VmUHNQp85CI/AAAAAAAAqss/1P7YWWw_BwM/s1600/11.jpg[/img]

Location: Kapustin Yar


Almaz-Antey also delivered three Buk-M2 medium-range air defense battalions this year.


12. Five MiG-31BSM delivered
[img]http://4.bp..com/-rkgO8XrsDPY/VmUHNr0mD-I/AAAAAAAAqs8/BB6UYQY8HeM/s1600/12.jpg[/img]

Location: Nizhniy Novgorod


Russia’s VKS currently have 72 of these modernized MiG-31s, with additional 50 to be upgraded by the end of 2018.
Naval Forces

....

I'm impressed..