Coastal Troops of the Pacific Fleet
Organizational Structure
The Coastal Troops of the Pacific Fleet comprise a diverse array of specialized units, including naval infantry brigades, coastal missile regiments, engineer battalions, electronic warfare (EW) centers, reconnaissance elements, communications centers, radio-technical centers, and supporting arsenals. This structure enables the Pacific Fleet to project force, defend strategic maritime approaches, and maintain robust command and control across its area of responsibility.
Location Analysis
The units listed are primarily stationed in Russia's Far East, with garrisons and operational sites located in the Primorsky and Kamchatka regions. These locations are strategically chosen to secure key maritime approaches, including the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, and the North Pacific. Proximity to major naval bases such as Vladivostok and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky enhances rapid deployment capabilities and logistical support.
Infrastructure Capabilities
The infrastructure supporting these units includes hardened barracks, vehicle and equipment storage facilities, missile launch sites, radar installations, and advanced communications nodes. Coastal missile regiments and artillery brigades benefit from purpose-built launch pads and maintenance depots, while EW and radio-technical centers are equipped with specialized antenna fields and protected operations bunkers. The presence of dedicated arsenals ensures sustained munitions and spare parts supply.
Combat Equipment and Armament
The 155th and 40th Separate Naval Infantry Brigades are equipped with T-80BV main battle tanks, BTR-80/82A armored personnel carriers, 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, and 9A34(35) Strela-10 short-range air defense systems. The 72nd Coastal Missile Regiment operates the 3K60 Bal-E coastal defense missile system, capable of engaging surface targets at ranges up to 120 km. Radio-technical centers deploy advanced radar systems such as the Volna and MR-900 Podsolnukh-E, providing over-the-horizon maritime surveillance.
Command and Control
Command and control functions are centralized through headquarters elements such as the 520th Separate Coastal Missile-Artillery Brigade HQ and the 140th Communications Center HQ. These entities coordinate operational planning, intelligence dissemination, and real-time communications across subordinate units. Multiple sub-elements of the communications center (40128-B, 40128-4, 40128-5) indicate a distributed and redundant communications architecture, enhancing resilience against electronic or kinetic disruption.
Electronic Warfare and Reconnaissance
The 474th Separate EW Center and the 471st Separate EW Center (including its HQ and Murmansk-BN system) provide advanced electronic warfare capabilities, including signals intelligence, jamming, and electronic countermeasures. The Murmansk-BN system is notable for its long-range electronic attack potential, capable of disrupting adversary communications and radar over distances exceeding 3,000 km. The 42nd Naval Reconnaissance Point augments situational awareness through human and technical intelligence collection.
Engineering and Support Units
The 186th Separate Naval Engineer Battalion is responsible for combat engineering tasks, including fortification construction, obstacle emplacement, and mobility support for amphibious and coastal operations. Dedicated arsenals, such as military unit 63916, ensure the secure storage and distribution of munitions, equipment, and critical spare parts to frontline and support units.
Sensor and Surveillance Assets
Radio-technical centers, notably military unit 22938, operate advanced maritime surveillance radars such as the Volna and MR-900 Podsolnukh-E. The Podsolnukh-E system provides over-the-horizon detection of surface vessels at ranges up to 450 km, significantly enhancing maritime domain awareness and early warning capabilities for the Pacific Fleet.
Leadership and Command Personnel
The 40th Separate Naval Infantry Brigade is commanded by Colonel Dmitry Petukh, reflecting a continuity of experienced leadership within key combat formations. Commanders at this level are typically responsible for operational readiness, training, and the execution of assigned missions within the broader framework of the Pacific Fleet's coastal defense strategy.