98th Guards Airborne Division
Location Analysis
The 98th Guards Airborne Division is headquartered in Ivanovo, a strategically significant city located northeast of Moscow. Ivanovo provides direct access to major transportation arteries, facilitating rapid deployment capabilities both within the Central Federal District and to other operational theaters. The region's infrastructure supports large-scale troop movements and logistical operations, enhancing the division's readiness for both defensive and offensive missions.
Command Structure
The division is under the command of Colonel Victor Gunaza, reflecting a continuity of experienced leadership within the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV). The division's organizational structure includes multiple regiments and specialized battalions, each assigned distinct operational roles. This hierarchical arrangement ensures efficient command and control, with the headquarters (military unit 65451) serving as the central node for operational planning and coordination.
Order of Battle
The 98th Guards Airborne Division comprises several key regiments and battalions: the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment (military unit 62295), the 331st Guards Airborne Regiment (military unit 71211), the 1065th Guards Artillery Regiment (military unit 62297), the 5th Separate Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (military unit 65376), the 215th Separate Guards Reconnaissance Battalion (military unit 54387), the 661st Separate Guards Engineer-Sapper Battalion (military unit 65379), the 674th Separate Guards Communications Battalion (military unit 65381), and the 1683th Separate Material Support Battalion (military unit 65385). This comprehensive order of battle enables the division to conduct independent airborne operations with integrated support elements.
Infantry and Airborne Capabilities
The 217th and 331st Guards Airborne Regiments are equipped with BMD-2 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-D armored personnel carriers, and 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled mortars. The 217th Regiment additionally fields BTR-ZD Skrezhet vehicles, enhancing its air defense and fire support capabilities. These assets provide the regiments with high mobility, rapid deployment potential, and the ability to conduct both air assault and mechanized infantry operations in diverse environments.
Artillery Support
The 1065th Guards Artillery Regiment is equipped with D-30 122mm towed howitzers and 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled mortars. This combination delivers both direct and indirect fire support, enabling the division to suppress enemy positions, provide counter-battery fire, and support maneuver elements during airborne operations. The artillery regiment's integration with airborne units ensures timely and accurate fire support in rapidly evolving combat scenarios.
Air Defense Assets
The 5th Separate Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment operates 9K35 Strela-10 short-range surface-to-air missile systems, BTR-ZD Skrezhet anti-aircraft vehicles, and BTR-D armored carriers. These systems provide layered air defense coverage against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The regiment's mobility allows it to accompany airborne forces during rapid advances, maintaining continuous protection against aerial threats.
Reconnaissance and Engineering Support
The 215th Separate Guards Reconnaissance Battalion is tasked with intelligence gathering, surveillance, and target acquisition, utilizing advanced reconnaissance equipment and specialized training. The 661st Separate Guards Engineer-Sapper Battalion provides combat engineering support, including mine clearance, obstacle breaching, and fortification construction. These battalions enhance the division's situational awareness and operational flexibility in contested environments.
Communications and Logistics
The 674th Separate Guards Communications Battalion ensures secure and reliable communications across all echelons of the division, employing modern radio, satellite, and digital communication systems. The 1683th Separate Material Support Battalion is responsible for logistical support, including supply distribution, maintenance, and transportation. These units are critical for sustaining high operational tempo and ensuring uninterrupted combat effectiveness.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The division's headquarters and subordinate units are based in well-developed military facilities in Ivanovo and surrounding areas. These sites feature hardened command posts, vehicle storage, maintenance workshops, and training grounds suitable for airborne and mechanized operations. The infrastructure supports rapid mobilization, force projection, and sustained operations under both peacetime and wartime conditions.
Operational Readiness
The 98th Guards Airborne Division maintains a high level of operational readiness, regularly participating in large-scale exercises and rapid deployment drills. The division's integration of airborne, artillery, air defense, reconnaissance, engineering, communications, and logistics elements enables it to conduct independent operations or serve as a strategic reserve. Its readiness posture is supported by continuous training, equipment modernization, and robust command and control systems.