Russian Guard reinforces its troops with tanks in Ukraine — UK intelligence
Photo: Vladimir Putin's former bodyguard Viktor Zolotov (kremlin.ru)
The Russian Guard, which reports directly to Vladimir Putin, has up to 400,000 personnel. Tank units expand their capabilities, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.
The Rosgvardia is forming tank units as part of its expansion of heavy weaponry, according to its head, Viktor Zolotov, a former bodyguard of President Putin. The units report directly to the Kremlin and are not part of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The role of the Rosgvardia on the front lines and in the rear
The main task of the Rosgvardia is to ensure internal security in order to preserve Putin's power.
Rosgvardia units have been deployed in Ukraine, where they provide security in the rear. Some units are also involved in combat operations on the front lines, although they are poorly trained for intense fighting.
Creation of tank units
Putin signed the decision to form tank units in August 2023 after the failed Wagner PMC mutiny in June of that year. Despite Zolotov's claims of excellent performance during the mutiny, there is no evidence that the Rosgvardia effectively suppressed the threat posed by Wagner.
"The creation of tank units is a marked militarisation of Rosgvardiya, improving its capacity to deal with military and paramilitary threats to Putin's regime security. It also almost certainly demonstrates the Kremlin's continued trust in Rosgvardiya's loyalty," the UK Ministry of Defense notes.
Vladimir Putin said that as of September 18, there were over 700,000 Russian soldiers in the frontline area in Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Russian army has lost more than 1 million troops killed and wounded.
