vyshka
19799
They tend have smaller units than the equivalent designation in western/nato militaries, but that seems quite small to be labeled a corps. The 1st Cavalry Division, or any armored or mechanized infrantry division would handily outnumber it in tanks, and manpower.
A corps is really an administrative term for a collection of formations. A corps could exist with no troops, or it could have several full strength divisions.
schurem
19801
At that ratio, the REMFs are likely to be counted in and perhaps the unit was not fully mechanised. Large portion of Poor Bloody Infantry.
In the Soviet / Russian tradition from 1942 onwards, a Corps is most often a division-strength mobile formation intended for a fairly independent role in creating or exploiting breakthroughs.
That size of force would - on paper - have looked like a serious threat to Lithuania and Poland and presented real complications for defence planners, placed in their rear as it was.
US units are going to have a lot more tail for any amount of teeth, of course. That’s because we actually want our units able to fight more than once.
Houngan
19804
Sure, 100%, just throwing it out there as a data point. Of those 12k troops and umpty tanks, it wasn’t necessarily an unbalanced force.
Oh, yeah, definitely. Different TO&E for different doctrine, etc.
ddtibbs
19806
The article says the main force of the corps was a motorized rifle division and an independent MR regiment, so while the number of tanks and troops is about right, it’s a little light on APC’s. That could be just journalistic inaccuracy.
Or, it’s Russia, so…not enough operational vehicles is a possibility.
Grifman
19808
The Black Sea is going to get interesting fast:
How would this work if Russian missiles start targeting grain ships? Will there by UN/Turkish reprisals?
ShivaX
19810
The Black Sea Fleet becomes a bunch of new reefs.
I am all for coral renewal!
That is, what’s left of the Black Sea Fleet, which by this time is probably three rowboats and a skiff.
abrandt
19813
Russia has to be really careful about pissing off Turkey since they like their ships to be able to get into and out of the Black Sea. Seems to me Turkey has the trump card on this one and I’d be surprised if Putin really tries to push it if Turkey is serious.
KevinC
19814
Today’s update form the UK’s MoD. Sounds like Russia is in store for even more logistical challenges.
JonRowe
19815
Do the Ukrainians use NATO rounds or the same 5.45mm Russian rounds?
Dunno how accurate this is, but the Wiki entry shows a fair amount of variety of small arms ammo in use. Seems a lot of 5.45mm, but also NATO 5.56 and various 7.62mm also. And some oddities for special units, etc. A lot of 5.56mm weapons were given to Ukraine after the invasion, and presumably they came with ammunition one would hope.
KevinC
19817
Various NATO countries have been sending ammunition throughout the war. The US just sent another 2.7 million rounds last week.
If we were Russia, those rounds would be from…the War of 1812.
