8th Combined Arms Army (Russia)
| 8th Combined Arms Army | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2017–present |
| Country |
 Russian Federation |
| Branch | Russian Ground Forces |
| Part of | Southern Military District |
| Garrison/HQ | Novocherkassk |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General Sergey Kuzovlev |
The 8th Combined Arms Army is a field army of the Russian Ground Forces established in 2017.[1] It is headquartered in Novocherkassk.
History
The 8th Combined Arms Army descends from the World War II-era 62nd Army, which was involved in the Battle of Stalingrad; due to its successful actions, it was renamed 8th Guards Army.[2] In 1943, the 8th Guards Army occupied the right bank of the Donets north of Sloviansk, participated in the Izyum-Barvenkovskaya operation in July and in the Donbas operation in August and September. The 8th Army, combined with other troops, conquered the city of Zaporozhye on 14 October 1943, then crossed the Dnieper. In 1944, the 8th Army participated in the Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive. In 1945, the 8th Army crossed the Vistula, stormed Poznan and Küstrin, and then took part in the Battle of Berlin.[2]
After the war, the 8th Army occupied East Germany; in 1968, the 8th Army was awarded the Order of Lenin; in the same year, units of the 8th Army rparticipated in the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. In 1992 the 8th Army returned to the North Caucasus.[2] In the subsequent years the 8th Army was downsized to the Army Corps level and the 8th Army Corps was disestablished in 1998.[1][2]
According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, the formation of the 8th Combined Arms Army began in 2017; the first stage is intended to be completed in June 2017.[2] The 8th Combined Arms Army is to include the 150th Motor Rifle Division (re-established in 2016), also based at Novocherkassk, and the 20th Motor Rifle Brigade (based in Volgograd).[1] By July, Major General Sergey Kuzovlev was appointed its commander.[3]
Mission
According to experts, the 8th Combined Arms Army is intended to be a centrepiece of the security of the Russian Federation in the south,[4] protecting from south-western threats;[2] according to Izvestia, Combined-arms field armies are being created by the Russian Federation in all strategic directions.[2]
Apart from motorized rifle and tank divisions and brigades, Combined-arms fied armies are intended to include artillery and engineering regiments and brigades, air defence, units, as well as communications and CBRN units. Support to the army is to be provided by fighter aircraft, bombers and ground attack aircraft and, in certain areas, ships and submarines of the Russian Navy.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "The 8th Combined Arms Army". Russian Defense Policy. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ramm, Alexey; Andreev, Evgeny. "В Южном военном округе появится новая армия". Известия (in Russian). Moscow, Russia. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ↑ Safronov, Ivan (10 July 2017). "Юго-запад укрепили боевыми генералами" [Southwest reinforced by fighting generals]. Kommersant (in Russian). Retrieved 24 July 2017.
- ↑ "The New 8th Combined-Arms Army of the Russian Federation Armed Forces will “Deal With” the Ukraine". Voices from Russia. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.