35th Combined Arms Army
Location Analysis
The 35th Combined Arms Army is headquartered in Belogorsk, Amur Oblast, within Russia's Eastern Military District. Its subordinate units are dispersed across the Amur and Khabarovsk regions, with key garrisons in Belogorsk, Khabarovsk, and Birobidzhan. This geographic distribution enables the army to secure Russia's eastern borders, maintain rapid access to the Far East, and project power along the Amur River and toward the Chinese border. The proximity to major rail and road networks facilitates strategic mobility and logistical support.
Organizational Structure
The 35th Combined Arms Army comprises a diverse array of units, including motor rifle brigades, artillery, missile, anti-aircraft, NBC protection, and command and control formations. The presence of multiple combined arms and specialized brigades under a unified command structure enhances operational flexibility and enables the army to conduct independent, sustained operations across a broad spectrum of conflict scenarios.
Armored and Mechanized Capabilities
The 38th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade (unit 21720) and the 64th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (unit 51460) are equipped with T-80BV, T-80BVM, and T-72B3 main battle tanks, as well as BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles. These assets provide significant armored maneuver capability, suitable for both defensive and offensive operations in the varied terrain of the Russian Far East. The inclusion of BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers and self-propelled artillery (2S3 Akatsiya) further augments their firepower.
Artillery and Missile Forces
The 165th Artillery Brigade (unit 02901) and the 107th Missile Brigade (unit 47062) form the core of the army's long-range strike capability. The 165th operates BM-27 Uragan and 2S7M Malka multiple rocket and heavy artillery systems, as well as 2A65 Msta-B howitzers and MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns. The 107th Missile Brigade is equipped with 9K720 Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile systems, providing the army with precision strike options against high-value targets up to 500 km away.
Air Defense Assets
The 71st Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade (unit 01879) is equipped with the 9K37 Buk-M1 medium-range surface-to-air missile system. This brigade provides layered air defense coverage for the army's maneuver units and critical infrastructure, capable of engaging a variety of aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters, and some types of missiles. The Buk-M1 system enhances the survivability of ground forces against modern air attacks.
Command, Control, and Intelligence
The 54th Command and Control Brigade (unit 53790) and the 714th Command Intelligence Center (unit 32863) are responsible for operational-level command, communications, and intelligence support. The 253rd Separate Radio-Technical Battalion GRU (unit 63554) provides signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities, enhancing situational awareness and enabling electronic attack and countermeasures. These units collectively ensure robust command and control across dispersed formations.
Logistics and Support
The 82nd Separate Repair and Restoration Battalion (unit 98673) is tasked with battlefield recovery, maintenance, and repair of armored vehicles and equipment. The 35th NBC Protection Regiment (unit 59792) provides chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense capabilities, ensuring force protection in contaminated environments. These support units are essential for sustaining high operational tempo and maintaining combat effectiveness.
Leadership and Command
The 35th Combined Arms Army is commanded by Major General Sergey Nyrkov. Notably, the 64th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade is led by Lieutenant Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov, who has been internationally designated due to alleged war crimes. The command structure is characterized by experienced officers with operational backgrounds in both conventional and hybrid warfare, contributing to the overall readiness and effectiveness of the formation.
Force Readiness and Modernization
The 35th Combined Arms Army has undergone significant modernization, with the introduction of upgraded main battle tanks (T-80BVM, T-72B3), new-generation missile systems (Iskander-M), and improved air defense assets (Buk-M1). Regular large-scale exercises and deployments in the Eastern Military District indicate a high level of combat readiness and the ability to rapidly mobilize for regional contingencies or strategic deterrence missions.