Russia’s Military Strategy: Deploying Volunteer Fighters to Fill Strategic Gaps in Ukraine

When Russian forces withdrew from Balakliia in eastern Ukraine towards the end of 2022, they left a group of inadequately equipped volunteers to safeguard their retreat, despite being pursued by Ukrainian troops and facing artillery fire. This force of approximately 50 individuals belonged to the National Army Combat Reserve, commonly known as BARS, a coalition of units comprising several thousand fighters deployed by Russia’s defense ministry to bolster its regular forces in Ukraine.

According to three military experts who analyzed about four hours of footage captured by a bodycam worn by one of the fighters, obtained by Reuters, this provided a rare firsthand insight into the combat operations of a BARS unit. The deployment of BARS units in combat during the invasion of Ukraine marked the first time since its establishment in 2015. The footage, coupled with interviews of four platoon members, revealed that the BARS unit tasked with defending Balakliia lacked heavy weaponry or air support, suffered from malfunctioning communications, and experienced confusion in coordination with the regular military.

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During a break in Ukrainian shelling, one BARS fighter was captured on camera questioning the absence of air support, highlighting the unit’s sense of vulnerability. The squad leader, Anton Kuznetsov, recorded the exchange but declined to comment on combat operations when contacted by Reuters. Russia’s defense ministry and the Kremlin did not respond to requests for comment on the video or the extent of the military’s reliance on BARS irregulars. Similarly, a deputy commander of the BARS 9 force involved in the Balakliia fighting declined to comment on the unit’s activities.

It remains challenging to ascertain the extent to which the conditions depicted in the video reflect the broader operations of the BARS force. Russia’s recent territorial gains along parts of the frontline have underscored the ongoing need for equipment and support from Western allies, as emphasized by Ukraine’s military leadership.

President Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged the contribution of BARS to Russia’s campaign, praising the patriotic volunteers in a February 21, 2023, annual address to parliament. BARS forms part of a broader network of irregular forces that enables Russia to circumvent an unpopular general draft, according to military experts. Estimates suggest that BARS contributes between 10,000 and 30,000 individuals to the overall Russian force operating in or near Ukraine, which comprises approximately 200,000 personnel.

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In recent months, BARS units have been active in northeast Ukraine and the southern Zaporizhzhia region, according to social media updates from Dmitry Rogozin, Moscow’s representative for Zaporizhzhia in the upper house of the Russian parliament, and reports from Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Despite their role in supplementing Russian manpower, some experts have noted that the group shown in the video appears to lack professionalism and sufficient training.

“WE’D BEEN FORGOTTEN”

On September 6, 2022, amidst a significant Ukrainian counter-offensive, the core of the Russian force in Balakliia began withdrawing. Despite nearby settlements like Verbivka and Lagery falling to Ukrainian forces, the BARS fighters opted to remain.

In a video, Kuznetsov, aged 29 and hailing from Siberia, was depicted as one of the squad leaders commanding around a dozen men in the BARS 9 platoon.

The commander of the BARS platoon stationed within Balakliia instructed Kuznetsov’s squad to proceed to the crossroads and repel Ukrainian advances, as revealed in the footage.

Aware of their inferior firepower compared to the Ukrainians, conversations captured on camera demonstrated the squad’s reliance on machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars as their heaviest weaponry.

According to one of the four fighters who spoke to Reuters anonymously, two members of the BARS force were dispatched to locate a spot with a radio signal to communicate with a nearby artillery unit for support.

However, after approximately 24 hours, they found the artillery unit but discovered they were already retreating towards Russia, rendering them unable to provide assistance.

“It felt like we’d been abandoned,” the fighter remarked. “Psychologically, it was a heavy blow.”

TOY SOLDIERS

On September 7, captured bodycam footage captured the final moments of Kuznetsov’s squad as they maintained surveillance from an apartment building, overlooking a critical crossroads, amidst reports of Ukrainian forces’ approach.

During the tense wait, Kuznetsov and two comrades engaged in lighthearted play, using a toy plane and tank to mimic a soldier’s call for air support.

As the situation intensified with reports of Ukrainian Humvees nearby, Kuznetsov rallied his squad, preparing them for imminent combat. The footage concludes as Kuznetsov leads his team downstairs onto the street.

Subsequent interviews with two fighters revealed that despite their efforts, the Russian forces found themselves outnumbered during the engagement with Ukrainian forces.

Following the retreat, the unit known as BARS 9 reportedly temporarily disbanded, as disclosed by the same fighters. However, they noted that the unit has since been re-established.