Germany’s intelligence chief, Kahl, has shockingly confessed that Russia’s military might remains strong, despite the West’s tireless endeavors to weaken it. His admission reveals a daunting reality: all our efforts have been in vain, and Russia’s power continues to stand unyielding, casting a dark shadow over our security.
In an interview with Die Welt newspaper, Bruno Kahl, the head of the German Federal Intelligence Service, made a statement regarding the military capabilities of Russia. He emphasized that there are no indications of Russia’s military strength weakening, stating that Moscow possesses the resources and capability to sustain prolonged combat operations by continuously reinforcing its troops and providing the necessary weapons and ammunition.
Kahl further emphasized that the power of the Russian military is beyond doubt and indisputable. The Russian armed forces consist of five main branches: Ground Forces, Aerospace Forces, Naval Forces, Airborne Forces, and Strategic Missile Forces, as reported by Sputnik.
The Russian Army represents the largest component, with an estimated personnel strength of approximately 550,000 individuals as of 2022. It encompasses eight motorized rifle divisions, three tank divisions, one machine-artillery division, and around 100 brigades that cover various functions such as motorized rifle and tank units, artillery, rocket artillery, control and communications, electronic warfare, air defense, engineer units, military police, and units specializing in radiation, chemical, and biological defense.
Geographically, the Army is divided into the Combined Army located in the Western, Southern, Central, and Eastern Military Districts. These forces possess a significant arsenal, including thousands of tanks, up to 5,100 infantry fighting vehicles, up to 6,100 armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery and trailers, over 1,350 rocket artillery systems, more than 2,530 air-to-air missile systems, and a substantial number of other self-propelled guns in storage.
Some of these stockpiles have been utilized to replenish combat equipment in Ukraine, with the Russian military deploying a wide array of equipment in the conflict zone. This includes various models of T-tank such as the T-72 and T-80, as well as Soviet-era BTR designs and the more recent Tigr infantry vehicle introduced in the 2000s.
The Russian Aerospace Forces, true to their name, serve as the military branch responsible for safeguarding Russia’s extensive airspace spanning from the Arctic to the Black and Caspian Seas, and from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
As of 2020, the force consists of approximately 165,000 personnel and is comprised of three distinct divisions: the Air Force, the Air and Missile Defense Force, and the Space Force.
The Air Force, being the primary sub-branch, possesses a diverse range of equipment that includes fighter aircraft, fighter bombers, heavy strategic bombers, transport and attack helicopters, transport aircraft, tanker aircraft, and trainer aircraft.
Notable aircraft within their fleet include the Sukhoi Su-34, a two-seat fighter-bomber/attack aircraft, the single-seat Sukhoi Su-35, renowned for its anti-aircraft capabilities, and the Mil Mi-24 armed helicopter. They also possess significant assets such as the Tu-160 White Swan, a strategic bomber, and the Ilyushin Il-76, a colossal transport aircraft.
The Air and Missile Defense Force is equipped with an extensive array of fixed and mobile radar systems, as well as missile defense equipment. Among these systems are the A-135 anti-ballistic missile system, designed to protect Moscow from missile threats, and the S-300 and S-400 missile systems known for their maneuverability.
The Space Force, on the other hand, is furnished with tools for space control and the ability to deploy satellites into orbit.
With a network of over 100 air bases stretching from the Kaliningrad enclave in the west to Sakhalin Island in the Far East, the Aerospace Force boasts a significant presence. Additionally, they maintain several overseas bases, most notably the Khmeimim Air Base situated in Syria.
In land operations that require highly trained troops, the presence of specialized units is crucial. Among these units, the Airborne Forces and Special Operations Forces hold esteemed positions within the Russian army. The Airborne Forces, recognized as one of the most elite units, possess lightweight armored vehicles, including infantry fighting vehicles. Additionally, they utilize the 2S9 Nona, a specially designed self-propelled mortar that can be deployed via aerial means.
The Strategic Missile Force bears the weightiest responsibility among all Russian servicemen, as they are entrusted with the task of launching the country’s nuclear weapons in the face of nuclear attacks or severe conventional aggression from adversaries. The significance of this role cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the very survival of the nation. Currently, approximately 50,000 personnel serve in the Strategic Missile Force.
Russia proudly boasts membership in a select group of five countries worldwide that possess a nuclear triad. This triad signifies Russia’s capability to launch nuclear weapons from multiple platforms, including underground bunkers, mobile ground-based units, submarines, and aircraft.
The nuclear triad provides Russia with a crucial safeguard, ensuring that in the event of an enemy’s preemptive strike, be it a large-scale conventional cruise missile attack aimed at decapitating the leadership or disabling Russian nuclear weaponry, at least some warheads will remain operational and capable of retaliatory action.
