RUSSIAN DELIBERATE RIVER CROSSINGS:Choreographing a Water Ballet

摘要

The Russian army is primarily a regional force, intended for employment in Eurasia; consequently, its equipment is designed specifically for that environment, which includes large expanses of woodlands and tundra intersected by broad rivers and massive swamps. Large rivers, canals, and lakes dominate Eurasia and have long served as major arteries of commerce and industry, defensive barriers, lines of communication, and avenues of advance.1 In central and eastern Europe, an advancing or withdrawing force can expect to encounter a 6-meter-wide water obstacle every 20 kilometers, up to a 100-meter-wide water obstacle every 35–60 kilometers, a 100- to 300-meterwide water obstacle every 100–150 kilometers, and a water obstacle more than 300 meters wide every 250–300 kilometers. 2 Consequently, most vehicles used by Russian ground forces have some amphibious capability and can, at least, ford reasonable water obstacles. Troop carriers and infantry fighting vehicles are amphibious and can be propelled across the water using tracks or wheels for forward momentum. Russian tanks can be driven across water obstacles of less than 5 meters deep and 1 kilometer wide using a snorkel to provide oxygen to the crew and engine. Weather and seasons also affect water crossing. Russia is a northern country, and severe winter weather is a normal condition for training and combat. Therefore, Russians regularly train to deal with crossings during spring and autumn flooding (with floating ice), under conditions of low water levels and high banks in summertime, and during winter freezes.