The 104th division will be re-created as part of the Airborne Forces (VDV) by December 1, 2023. This was announced to TASS, during the International Military-Technical Forum Army-2023, by a source close to the Russian military department.
The new division will consist of three paratrooper regiments. It will also include artillery and anti-aircraft missile regiments.
The division itself was established in December 1944. It was finally created in 1946, when the 104th Guards Rifle Division was reorganized into the 104th Airborne Guards Division of Kutuzov’s Battalion. In 1998, the division was reformed into a brigade. It was named the 31st Separate Airborne Battalion of the Kutuzov Brigade.
The unit’s personnel participated in the hostilities in Chechnya, carried out a peacekeeping mission in the Republic of Abkhazia, as well as as part of the UN peacekeeping forces in Yugoslavia.
Reconstruction in current reality is an important step. In addition, due to a wide range of possible operations, it can be used both in the context of the operation in Ukraine and elsewhere, depending on the military interests of Russia.
At the same time, to work more effectively, the unit must be equipped with heavier equipment compared to what paratroopers usually have.
The decision to recreate the 104th division as part of the Airborne Forces is a step aimed at improving the defense capability of the Russian Armed Forces, including the Airborne Forces.
Recent events in Kazakhstan and Ukraine show that without the Airborne Forces it is very difficult to maintain the defense capability of the Russian state. It is difficult to guess how the events will develop, but we can say with confidence that the 104th division can be used in the attack, be in the defense and cover the flanks.
The Airborne Forces face some difficulties due to the fact that the arsenal of this type of troops is lighter than that of the same ground forces. Ground forces have a very strong armored force for striking and pushing the enemy.
The basis of the use of the Airborne Forces is to help in the performance of these and other tasks by occupying rear facilities, intercepting the approach routes of reserves, destroying warehouses and ammunition equipment, command posts. And of course, it is impossible to compare ground and paratrooper firepower.
At this time it is not known what organizational and staff structure the new unit will have. Therefore, it is too early to define the specific goals and tasks of the 104th division. But it’s worth understanding that, nobody lands troops the classic parachute way anymore.
If it is decided to use the Airborne Forces for other tasks, then the paratroopers should be equipped with heavier weapons and not just airborne ones. Light gear is simply not designed for positional combat. And this seriously affects the effectiveness of the battle.
