UK MoD: Russia expands National Guard with tank units amid operations in Ukraine

The National Guard of the Russian Federation, or Rosgvardiya, which reports directly to Vladimir Putin, has up to 400,000 personnel, with the addition of tank units expanding its capabilities, the UK Ministry of Defence said on the social network X.

Rosgvardiya is forming tank units as part of its heavy weapons expansion. The units report directly to the Kremlin and are not part of Russia’s Ministry of Defence, said Director of the National Guard, Viktor Zolotov, Caliber.Az reports.

The Ministry's X post noted that Rosgvardiya’s main role is maintaining internal security. Its units have been deployed in Ukraine, providing rear-area security, while some also participate in frontline combat despite being poorly trained for intense fighting.

The decision to establish tank units was signed by Putin in August 2023.

“The creation of tank units is a marked militarisation of Rosgvardiya, improving its capacity to deal with military and paramilitary threats to Putin’s regime security. It also almost certainly demonstrates the Kremlin’s continued trust in Rosgvardiya’s loyalty,” the UK Ministry of Defence said.

By Khagan Isayev