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.
It’s fascinating to see how much emphasis is being placed on restructuring and modernizing the Marine forces, especially with someone as young and experienced as Gudkov taking on such a crucial role. It seems like a big challenge to expand these brigades into full divisions without the necessary infrastructure and manpower, but this move might signal a deeper strategic shift. The tension between different parts of the military leadership makes the whole situation even more complex, and I wonder how this will impact the overall effectiveness of the armed forces in the near future. It’s clear that there’s a lot at stake, and the coming years will be telling for the success of these reforms.
Looks like they’re trying to build a marine empire one brigade at a time, but forgot to send an eviction notice to the housing shortage. Guess even top generals need a place to hang their hats before conquering the world 🌍
This insight into the restructuring of the Marine brigades really highlights the complexity and challenges behind military reforms. It’s fascinating to see how much emphasis is placed on experience and adaptability, especially with young leaders stepping into crucial roles. The balance between tradition and innovation seems tricky, but necessary for progress. Looking forward to seeing how these changes will shape the future of the forces ⚓🔥
It’s interesting to see a relatively young and experienced officer like Gudkov being given such a crucial role in reshaping the Marine brigades into divisions. This move highlights how much emphasis is being placed on adapting to recent combat realities and the need for modernization within the Russian military structure. However, the challenges mentioned, especially regarding infrastructure and recruitment limitations, suggest that this ambitious transformation won’t be straightforward. It will be worth watching how they manage to balance these reforms with the practical difficulties on the ground, especially given the size of the forces planned. The political and institutional compromises behind this appointment also hint at deeper internal dynamics shaping military decisions. 🚀
This appointment shows some serious changes are coming in the military structure. It’s interesting to see younger commanders like Gudkov rising fast despite the challenges with resources and personnel. The plan to create Marine divisions sounds ambitious but complicated.👀⚓
It is fascinating to observe how military structures evolve not just through strategy and logistics, but through the intricate dynamics of leadership and institutional compromise. The appointment of a relatively young commander like Gudkov reflects a subtle shift in the traditional military hierarchy, perhaps signaling a moment when experience from the front lines begins to reshape larger frameworks. Yet, the challenges of expanding forces amid limited resources remind us that grand visions often meet harsh realities. It speaks to the tension between ambition and practicality, and how true change may require patience and adaptability in equal measure. In times of transformation, even small steps forward carry profound implications for the future. 🌿⚓
Honestly, reading this makes me think the Russian military’s organizational meetings sound a bit like a complicated family reunion where everyone is trying to figure out who gets which room and who pays for the snacks. Appointing a 40-year-old front-line general to juggle the form-in-progress Marine divisions sounds like trying to build IKEA furniture without all the screws—but hey, at least they know who’s supposed to end up with the Allen key. Hopefully, they can pull off this marine makeover without turning it into a full-on soap opera starring housing shortages and paper-pushing generals.