Author: David Batashvili, Research Fellow at the Rondeli Foundation

Rondeli Russian Military Digest is a weekly brief that reports key activities by and developments within the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Researchers, civil servants and everyone else interested in what is going on in the military of one of the most dangerous nations on the planet – tune in and enjoy.

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Geostrategic Activities

War in Ukraine – One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three were wounded by the Russian hybrid forces on the Donbass frontline during the week of 11-17 January 2021.

War in Syria – 300 additional Russian troops have been sent to north-eastern Syria to strengthen the Russians’ joint posts with the Assad regime forces in the area.

 

Structural Changes

Russia has stationed MiG-31BM interceptors at the Amderma-2 (Rogachevo) air base, on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic. The planes belong to the 98th Separate Mixed Aviation Regiment (Monchegorsk air base, Murmansk Oblast) of the 45th Air and Air Defense Forces Army (HQ in Safonovo, Murmansk Oblast).

 

Rearmament and Modernization

Russian Defense Ministry reported it had received a new batch of T-80BVM tanks in December 2020.

S-70 Okhotnik type UAV, in the process of being tested by the Russian military, conducted strikes against ground targets with unguided bombs.

Russia’s both Tu-214ON planes, used for the flights under the Treaty on Open Skies, will be repurposed as reconnaissance aircraft, now that Russia is leaving the treaty.

Tu-214ON. From The Aviationist

 

Arms Exports

Belarus intends to arm its air defense forces with Russian S-400 and Pantsir-S air defense systems. It has also signed agreements with Russia to acquire its Su-30SM fighters and Mi-35 attack helicopters.

India reportedly intends to acquire from Russia additional batches of MiG-29 and Su-30MKI fighters.