SOVIET MILITARY DOCTRINE FOR NIGHT OPERATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00472A000600050019-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 2, 2004
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: December 2, 1965
• Content Type: IM

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OCI No. 2947/65
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
2 December 1965
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Soviet Military Doctrine for
Night Operations
1. Soviet military doctrine, tactical and
strategic, emphasizes the advantages of surprise.
To this end the Soviets devote much attention to
the planning and conduct of operations during peri-
ods of poor visibility, particularly at night. Com-
manders at all echelons are expected to train their
units to be proficient in the employment of the
special techniques and equipment necessary for suc-
cessful night operations.
2. During World War II, the Soviets used dark-
ness and fog primarily for troop movements, prepara-
tions for large-scale daylight attacks, construction
of field fortifications and supply operations. Night
operations usually consisted of attacks in strength
of up to a regiment, reconnaissance in force, and
raids. Tanks were regarded as dawn-to-dusk weapons.
3. Current Soviet doctrine emphasizes that op-
erations at night are to be considered a normal phase
of combat which provides maximum opportunity for
achieving surprise and reducing losses from enemy
fire. Full offensives including tank units may be
initiated at night or an offensive begun during day-
light is expected to maintain momentum beyond night-
fall.
4. The Field Service Regulations of the USSR
Armed Forces--the field "bible" for division and regi-
men commanders--has a section providing detailed
guidance for the conduct of night offensive operations
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This section states in part:
"Extensive use should be made of night
conditions to conduct offensive operations
with decisive aims. A night offensive
facilitates the delivery of surprise
strikes and the continuity of combat
operations. It also makes countermeasures
more difficult for the enemy. . ,The suc-
cess of combat operations at night de-
pends on thorough planning and on the
training of troops, and also on the skill-
ful handling of night vision devices and
illumination equipment."
Generally, the Soviets expect all commanders to be
alert at night and to capitalize on the physiological
and psychological effects of darkness.
5. The Soviets recognize that the skills neces-
sary for the effective conduct of night operations
can only be attained by constant training. Soviet
units are known to conduct realistic night rangons
exercises at all levels, Soviet military tlicainig
frequently publish articles discussing night
and operational techniques or praising units which.
have demonstrated proficiency. For example, Military
Herald, the major unclassified journal for com ine -
arms commanders, had an article in its Noveembera19965le
issue titled "Training in Night Firing." This rtic
praised and described in detail the training in night
firing techniques conducted by a motorized infantry
company.
6, Soviet night combat doctrine emphasizes the
employment of illumination and night visidevicesh
by friendly forces and restricting enemy use
equipment. The Soviet ground forces are now equipped
to overcome the lack of visibility at night and to
detect and counter enemy use of infrared equipment.
At present, however, Soviet infrared night vision
equipment in the field is not much more sophisticated
than that which was available to US and German forces
at the end of World War II. On the other hand, Soviet
forces are widely equipped with night vision devices.
Infrared vision, driving, and aiming aids are mounted
as standard equipment on Soviet tanks and some other
Passive equipment
been
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7. The Soviets also plan extensive use of search-
lights, shells, and signal and
lights, illuminating According to the field reg-
ulations, "Aircraft.d.are brought toea
illuminate
reference points in enemy p? To aid in the concealment
his most important targets. "In addition
of Soviet forces, the regulations state: rado=
to its usual tasks, artillery destroys enemy
technical means and night vision equipment."
8. In addition to training of personnel and
them with the equipment necessary for night
supplying
operations the Soviets have demonstrated enogstrated a deuirmen~tion
histica night vision eq p
to develop more sop with the German
for their field forces. Beginning World War II,
equipment and scientists captured during
d an intensive developmental ro-
h
e
the Soviets launc
the present.
gram that continues to
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