Engineering support for the mobility of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation

• Main Author: Krzysztof Wysocki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Military University of Land Forces 2021-03-01
• Series: Scientific Journal of the Military University of Land Forces
• Subjects: Russia; engineering troops; armed conflicts; mobility support; armed forces
• Online Access: http://zeszyty-naukowe.awl.edu.pl/gicid/01.3001.0014.8116

The article addresses selected aspects of supporting the mobility of the Ground Forces in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The experience of contemporary armed conflicts in which Russian forces were involved confirmed the need to maintain subunits, guaranteeing maneuver freedom in the area occupied by the enemy. The study aims to present explanations concerning: the role and tasks of the engineering troops of the Russian Federation in contemporary armed conflicts, characteristics of the currently used methods of performing mine barriers, namely mechanical, electromechanical, explosive, manual, and combined ones. Also, the essence of engineering activities according to the views adopted in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the content of engineering support for mobility in tactical departments, and the interpretation of basic concepts, and the role of engineering units and subunits in the activities in question are presented. Besides, the executive potential of selected organizational and functional structures of engineering units, their purpose, and the possibility of implementing individual engineering tasks in tactical activities related to maneuvering and displacement are described. In the aspect of the issue of the impact of engineering barriers and destruction on the pace of the enemy’s attack, an analysis of the execution potential and tactics of operations (doctrinal patterns of combat operations) of a potential enemy (the other party and its capability of supporting the mobility of own troops in the implementation of engineering projects related to crossings (paving) in dams, through natural obstacles and areas of destruction as well as demining terrain and objects) was performed.