Geopolitics
Russian Reconnaissance Units - Training in Armenia
Russian reconnaissance units stationed in Armenia, are involved in a training exercise related to detection and elimination of the “illegal armed groups”. The operation, taking place within the area of the Pambak mountain military range, located in the northern part of the country, involves ca. 300 soldiers equipped with remotely piloted aircraft and elements of the Russian Ratnik Infantry Combat System.
The exercise was announced on 1st April. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the involved elements are also utilizing “Granat” and “Takhion” UAV systems. Moreover, elements of the “Ratnik” infantry combat system have also been deployed. The suite is being currently tested by selected units of the Russian Army. Above all, the aforementioned test programme concerns the communications and positioning and navigational components of the suite.
Highland operations, application of UAV’s within the scope of identifying and tracking the irregular forces, protect convoys and direct artillery fire are all a part of the conducted training. The scenarios are related to identification, separation and elimination of armed units, and detection of weaponry storages within forested, mountainous areas.
The exercise of the Russian reconnaissance units take place simultaneously with escalation of the crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Caucasus, the autonomy of which is supported by the Armenians.