Russian army creates new regiments for permanent occupation of Donbas
Russia is tightening military control over the occupied Donetsk region (photo: Getty Images)
The Russian command has completed the deployment of three newly formed regiments as part of the 116th Separate Brigade of the Russian Guard to the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk region. Thus, the aggressor creates a separate military occupation force and establishes permanent control over the occupied territories of Ukraine, states the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets confirmed that the Russian command has deployed the 116th Special Forces Brigade to Chystyakove, 70 km east of Donetsk.
As for the three newly formed units of the brigade, they are:
- The 900th Special Forces Regiment is stationed in the village of Melekine (22 km southwest of Mariupol);
- The 901st Special Forces Regiment was stationed in the town of Snizhne (80 km east of Donetsk);
- The 902nd Special Forces Regiment is located seven kilometers north of the town of Chystiakove.
Mashovets noted that the brigade will perform "stabilization functions" in the occupied territory of Ukraine on a "permanent basis."
Russian local media reported that in early September 2023, Rosgvardia (Russian Guard) began forming the 116th Special Forces Brigade to serve in the temporarily occupied areas of the Donetsk region. At the end of October, ISW experts noticed that this brigade received a Russian T-80BV tank, which was used by the Wagner group during the armed uprising in June 2023.
ISW is convinced that the short timeframe and locations of the new Russian Guard regiments indicate that the Kremlin is actively trying to use these forces to strengthen Russia's control over the occupied rear.
Mashovets also said that the Russian Guard may have deployed up to 6,000 servicemen from Russia to the temporarily occupied Ukraine as part of the deployment of the 116th Special Forces Brigade. Thus, the number of Russian Guard personnel in the occupied territories of Ukraine has increased to 34.3 thousand.
It is noted that although the Institute for the Study of War is not able to independently verify this information, these facts are confirmed by recent attempts by the Russian Federation to legalize the Russian Guard's access to the recruitment of volunteers, the Kremlin's permission to transfer heavy military equipment to the Russian Guard and the basing of the 116th Special Forces Brigade in the occupied Donetsk region.
"Russia is attempting to expand Rosgvardia forces to establish a separate military occupation force. Moscow is likely trying to recruit and deploy military occupation forces to further impede Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts, establish permanent control over occupied areas, and suppress partisan activity without fixing frontline troops in occupation duty indefinitely," states the ISW report.
Invaders strengthening control in the occupied territories
The Russian military is increasing the number of special forces in the occupied territories of the Kherson region to search for partisans.
At the end of October, the Russian private military company Wagner announced its official transfer to the subordination of the Russian Guard.
In addition, the Russians are hiding mobilization under the guise of "volunteer battalions" (dobrobats) and using them to propagandize the war.
