Battalion tactical group

A battalion tactical group (Russian: Батальонная тактическая группа, batal'onnaya takticheskaya gruppa), abbreviated as BTG, is a combined-arms manoeuvre unit deployed by the Russian Army that is kept at a high level of readiness.[1] A BTG typically comprises a battalion (typically mechanised infantry) of two to four companies reinforced with air-defence, artillery, engineering, and logistical support units, formed from a garrisoned army brigade. A tank company and rocket artillery typically reinforce such groupings. BTGs formed the mainstay of Russia's military intervention in Ukraine from 2013 to 2015, particularly in the war in Donbas.[2]

In August 2021, Russia's defence minister said the country had about 170 BTGs.[3] Each BTG has approximately 600–800 officers and soldiers,[4] of whom roughly 200 are infantrymen, equipped with vehicles typically including roughly 10 tanks and 40 infantry fighting vehicles.[5]: pp. 11–13 

  1. ^ Boston, Scott; Massicot, Dara (2017). "The Russian Way of War: A Primer" (PDF). RAND: 5. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  2. ^ Fiore, Nicholas J. (Spring 2017). "Defeating the Russian Battalion Tactical Group" (PDF). Armor. CXXVIII (2): 9–10. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Russian Army operates around 170 battalion tactical groups — defense chief". TASS. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  4. ^ Daalder, Ivo; Flournoy, Michele; Herbst, John; Lodal, Jan; Pifer, Steven; Stavridis, James; Talbott, Strobe; Wald, Charles (February 2015). "Preserving Ukraine's Independence, Resisting Russian Aggression: What the United States and NATO Must Do" (PDF). Atlantic Council: 12. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fiore was invoked but never defined (see the help page).