Russia transfers dozens of T-90M and T-72B3 tanks via Belarus to reinforce northern front


According to a video published on the Russian Social Network on December 22, 2022, Russian armed forces transfer several dozen T-90M and T-72B3 main battle tanks by railway across Belarus to reinforce the northern front.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link


Army Recognition Global Defense and Security news
Russia moves by railway via Belarus dozens of T-90M and T-72B3 tanks to reinforce the northern front. (Picture source Screenshot Video Footage VK)


In the last few days, information has already circulated via the Internet indicating that reinforcement of Russian troops in the northern front has begun.

On December 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new plan to expand the Russian military forces by around 30% to reach 1.5 million personnel. The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shigou explained that the expansion would involve two brigades in north-western Russia growing to divisional strength.

This constitutes one of the first insights into how Russia aspires to adapt its forces to the long-term strategic challenges resulting from the invasion of Ukraine. It remains unclear how Russia will find the recruits to complete such an expansion at a time when its armed forces are under unprecedented pressure in Ukraine.

Citing information from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), Russia will continue its military operation in Ukraine despite the massive Western aid to Ukraine, Russian army Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said.

The situation along the 815-kilometer line of engagement has stabilized. The Russian military has focused its main efforts on completing the liberation of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 21, 2022, said that the line of engagement was more than a thousand kilometers long.

For the first time, the Russian air force has used the Kinzhal air-to-surface hypersonic missile to target Ukrainian forces. Previously, Russia announced the use of Kinzhal missiles to destroy an alleged underground weapons depot of the Ukrainian armed forces in Deliatyn on 18 March 2022 and a fuel depot in Konstantinovka the next day.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the United States and European countries have supplied Ukraine with more than 350 tanks and about 1,000 armored combat vehicles, up to 700 artillery systems and 100 multiple-launch rocket systems, as well as more than 5,300 man-portable air defense systems and 130,000 antitank weapons.

Despite international economic sanctions against Russia, the production of military equipment, combat vehicles and tanks continues and it will still intensify in the next few months, said the Russian MoD. In the outgoing year, the Russian army received more than 3,100 combat vehicles and tanks, rocket launchers, and other weapons. The Russian Air Forces also received new modern aircraft, aviation systems, and upgraded attack helicopters.