UK says Russian National Guard troops in Ukraine number more than 30,000

He points out that this organization is trying to increase its forces on the front by “absorbing irregular Russian formations.”

Jul 22. () –

British intelligence services on Monday estimated that more than 30,000 members of the Russian National Guard are deployed in Ukraine, although it said that “only a few units” of the organisation are taking part in front-line combat.

“It is highly likely that more than 30,000 Rosgvardiya personnel are deployed in Ukraine. The majority of personnel carry out security operations in the rear area, with only a few units participating in frontline fighting,” they said.

They have specified that “the main combat unit” of the National Guard, the 116th Special Purpose Brigade, “most likely consists of three regiments of troops with access to tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery.”

“Since early 2024, Rosgvardiya has almost certainly sought to increase its forces on the front by absorbing Russian irregular formations,” they argued, according to a statement published by the British Ministry of Defence through its account on the social network X.

In this regard, they have noted that the National Guard has “successfully integrated” the Vostok Battalion of the Donetsk People’s Republic, although it has pointed out that “it is highly likely that the agreement in advance for the Wagner Group’s forces to serve under the 1st Rosgvardiya Volunteer Corps would collapse in March 2024.”