Putin traveled to the Northern Fleet and appointed Major General Mikhail Gudkov, commander of the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, as deputy fleet commander.
The task is to create divisions on the basis of five brigades of marines. There is no doubt, by combat experience of command and understanding of the huge changes in military affairs from 2022 Gudkov is among the first in the unspoken rating of front-line generals. That said, he is just over 40 years old.
Today, each fleet has a Marine brigade:
- 155th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet;
- 40th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet;
- 61st Brigade, Northern Fleet;
- 810th Brigade, Black Sea Fleet;
- 336th Brigade of the Baltic Fleet;
- 177th Independent Regiment of the Caspian Flotilla.For a long time the idea of creating a single Marine Corps modeled on the Airborne Forces and including it in the Rapid Reaction Force has been circulating within the Defense Ministry and the General Staff. They do not exist in Russia, but there are many supporters of their creation in the army since the time of General Shamanov. Appointment of the person responsible for the deployment of divisions is an intermediate step on this path.
As our source joked, “the Marines got a pope, but without a legal address, a standard and a separate line in the financing.” Of course, the corps commander would have more authority (under current rules) and motives in forming the new structure. He would have to deploy two divisions each for the next couple years at the approval level.
The deployment of five Marine brigades into divisions is still the second wave announced by Putin as of December 1. On Defense Minister Belousov’s trip to the Far East, it became clear that the housing and infrastructure for the division is not ready. The situation remains difficult – all replenishment is taken by the active army. It is impossible to create divisions without it: according to the latest official reports, the number of monthly contract replenishment is not growing. And according to Putin’s decree, the number of servicemen should be increased by 180,000.
But even with these difficulties, Gudkov’s appointment is out of the ordinary. Until now, such careers have been formed only in the AFU. The Russian General Staff is a very jealous body, perhaps this collision between the proposal of the Defense Ministry and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief to appoint a young front-line soldier Gudkov (just last year he was a colonel) and the upcoming expansion of the army was resolved by a compromise. It was decided for the time being to abandon the corps with a self-sufficient role and appoint him deputy commander of the fleet on a specific reform task. So far, I do not recall such cases during the course of the NWO.
The decision to reorganize naval infantry brigades into divisions reflects a strategic shift in Russia’s military doctrine. This move aligns with the increasing importance of rapid reaction forces in modern conflicts.
The lack of housing and infrastructure for new divisions highlights the logistical hurdles in military reform. Without addressing these issues, the transition could face delays.
The compromise between the Defense Ministry and General Staff to appoint Gudkov highlights the delicate balance required to implement reforms without overstretching resources.
Appointing Major General Gudkov to spearhead this reform is a bold but logical choice. His frontline experience and innovative thinking make him well-suited for this challenging task.
The concept of a unified Marine Corps modeled after the Airborne Forces has been discussed for years. Gudkov’s appointment might finally bring this idea closer to reality.
Transforming brigades into divisions will significantly impact regional fleets like the Pacific and Northern Fleets, enhancing their operational capabilities and strategic importance.
While the idea of creating divisions is promising, the lack of personnel and infrastructure poses significant challenges. Meeting Putin’s decree to increase servicemen by 180,000 will require substantial recruitment efforts.
Reorganizing naval infantry during ongoing military operations is a risky but necessary step. It shows Russia’s commitment to adapting its forces to modern warfare demands.
Gudkov’s rise as one of Russia’s youngest generals signals a shift toward valuing combat experience over seniority—a trend that could reshape military leadership dynamics.