104th Guards Airborne Division
Unit Overview
The 104th Guards Airborne Division was reestablished in 2023 on the basis of the 31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade (Ulyanovsk, Ulyanovsk Oblast). It is subordinate to the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) of the Ministry of Defense. The 345th Guards Airborne Regiment has been publicly identified as a subordinate regiment within the reformed division.
Historical Background
The 104th Guards Airborne Division existed during the Soviet period and was disbanded in the late 1990s. The 345th Guards Airborne Regiment is a historically notable VDV formation with documented service in the 1979–1989 Soviet–Afghan War. The 2023 reestablishment of the division aligns with the broader force expansion and restructuring measures announced by Russian authorities in 2022–2023.
Garrison and Infrastructure
Formation activities for the 104th Guards Airborne Division are centered on Ulyanovsk, where the 31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade is based. The area provides rail connectivity and access to regional airfields (Ulyanovsk-Vostochny and Ulyanovsk-Baratayevka) suitable for Il-76-class airlifters. Typical VDV base infrastructure present in Ulyanovsk includes barracks, motor pools, maintenance facilities, ammunition and equipment storage, training ranges, and airborne/air assault training support.
Organizational Status (publicly known)
As of 2023–2024, open sources confirm the 345th Guards Airborne Regiment within the reestablished 104th Guards Airborne Division. Additional divisional elements characteristic of VDV formations (e.g., further airborne/air assault regiments, an artillery regiment, an air-defense regiment, and divisional-level reconnaissance, engineer, signals, logistics, medical, UAV, and electronic warfare units) have not been comprehensively confirmed in public reporting for this division.
345th Guards Airborne Regiment: Observed Equipment
Open-source reporting and imagery since 2023 indicate the 345th Guards Airborne Regiment fields T-72B3M main battle tanks, K-4386 Typhoon-VDV protected vehicles, 122 mm D-30 (2A18) towed howitzers, and BM-21 Grad 122 mm multiple rocket launchers. This mix augments traditional VDV light forces with heavier direct-fire and indirect-fire assets.
Key System Specifications (selected)
T-72B3M: 125 mm 2A46M-5 gun, Sosna-U thermal fire-control system, Relikt explosive reactive armor, V-92S2F diesel engine (approximately 1,130 hp). K-4386 Typhoon-VDV: 4x4 protected, air-transportable vehicle; typically fitted with a remote weapon station (up to 30 mm), designed to improve mine and ballistic protection for airborne infantry. D-30 (2A18) howitzer: 122 mm towed, typical maximum range about 15.4 km with standard HE-FRAG ammunition. BM-21 Grad: 122 mm MRL with 40 launch tubes; standard rockets reach approximately 20 km, extended-range rockets up to about 40 km.
Capabilities and Employment Implications
The integration of T-72B3M tanks and BM-21 Grad systems within an airborne regiment increases organic firepower and survivability in conventional land combat compared to traditional light-airmobile configurations. Typhoon-VDV vehicles provide protected mobility against small arms and mines. D-30 howitzers and Grad launchers enable short-to-medium range indirect fire to support maneuver. These enhancements reduce reliance on parachute insertion for heavy assets but improve sustained ground combat capability.
Airlift and Mobility Interfaces
The division benefits from proximity to Il-76-capable runways and major rail corridors in Ulyanovsk, enabling strategic movement by air or rail. Heavy systems such as T-72B3M are not airdroppable and are typically moved by rail/road or airlanded; lighter VDV platforms and personnel retain parachute and airland deployment options.
Doctrinal Role
Within Russian doctrine, VDV divisions conduct air assault, rapid reaction, and reinforcement missions, including seizure of key terrain, disruption of enemy rear areas, and rapid reinforcement of ground forces. The observed equipment set of the 345th Guards Airborne Regiment reflects the ongoing post-2022 trend of employing VDV units as mobile infantry with augmented armor and artillery support.
Data Gaps and Confidence
Public sources confirm the 2023 reestablishment of the 104th Guards Airborne Division based on the 31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade and identify the 345th Guards Airborne Regiment with T-72B3M, Typhoon-VDV, D-30, and BM-21 Grad. A complete and authoritative order of battle, full equipment inventories, personnel strength, and final garrison distribution for all subordinate elements of the division have not been fully disclosed in open sources as of 2024.