IDENTIFICATION OF SA-8 REGIMENT AND DIVISIONAL UPGRADING AT TOTSKOYE VOLGA MILITARY DISTRICT, USSR

Document Type:

CREST [1]

Collection:

NGA Records (Formerly NIMA) [2]

Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):

CIA-RDP81T00380R000101080001-3

Release Decision:

RIPPUB

Original Classification:

Document Page Count:

Document Creation Date:

December 28, 2016

Document Release Date:

November 18, 2010

Sequence Number:

Case Number:

Publication Date:

April 1, 1981

Content Type:

REPORT

File:

Attachment	Size
CIA-RDP81T00380R000101080001-3.pdf [3]	112.2 KB

Body:

Imagery analysis report Identification of SA-8. Regiment and Divisional Upgrading at Totskoye Volga Military District, USSR (S) Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 Secret 25X1 Z-20034/81 IAR-0028/81 APRIL 1981 copy 17 0 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 IDENTIFICATION OF SA-8 REGIMENT AND DIVISIONAL UPGRADING AT TOTSKOYE, VOLGA MILITARY DISTRICT, USSR (S) 1. (S/D) An SA-8 surface-to-air missile regiment has been identified in the motorized rifle division (MRD) located at Totskoye Army Barracks Northeast AL-2 Figure 1) in the Volga Military District, USSR. On imagery of an SA-8 regiment had replaced the 57mm antiaircraft (AA) gun S-60 regiment of this MRD. The upgrading of this air defense regiment is part of a general upgrading of the entire division. 2. (S/D) Two eight-bay, double-depth vehicle storage buildings were razed in early May 1980 in the AA regiment vehicle park. A new 16-bay, double-depth vehicle storage building and base footings for a 25X1 25X1 second vehicle storage building, both capable of housing SA-8 equipment, were observed on 25X1 = (Figure 2). When completed, the new vehicle storage buildings will increase the estimated covered 25X1 vehicle storage capacity from 108 to 140 vehicles. The S-60 equipment was removed from the AA vehicle park, and a battery of S-60 guns was parked in the engineering battalion area adjacent to the new SA-8 regiment by It is not unusual for old equipment to remain at an installation while unit 25X1 upgrading occurs. 3. (S/D) Other units of this MRD have been upgraded in the past year. On 12 BMP 25X1 armored personnel carriers were observed for the first time in a motorized rifle regiment (MRR). Con- struction of a new MRR vehicle park was evident as early as The new MRR area now 25X1 contains five 20-bay, double-depth and one eight-bay, double-depth vehicle storage buildings. A 20-bay, double-depth vehicle storage building was also under construction on Figure 2). When the 25X1 present construction is completed, the area will have a covered storage capacity of at least 256 vehicles. 4. (S/D) The construction of the new MRR vehicle park indicates an upgrading of the two cadre MRRs* in this division. Units subordinate to one of the MRRs have relocated to the new MRR vehicle park area. The vehicle park area for the other MRR, which had previously housed both cadre MRRs, was thus expanded. The construction and relocation observed indicates that the two MRRs have been up- graded from cadre status. The tank regiment vehicle park was also expanded. The reconnaissance battal- ion, which had occupied a separately secured area in the tank regiment vehicle park, has moved to a new area adjacent to a MRR vehicle park (Figure 1). Imagery Analyst's Comments 5. (S/D) The presence of SA-8 equipment and BMPs and the expansion of vehicle parks in this previously reported category III division may indicate the MRD has been upgraded to category II status.' This MRD is one of three located in the Volga Military District; its improved capability may demonstrate a desire by the Soviets to strengthen the reserve capability of this strategically located interior military district. *(C) Cadre refers to the manning level of the combat maneuver elements of the Soviet combat divisions. Cadre strength is defined as most major TO&E (Table of Organization and Equipment) items of equipment present and maintained by a caretaker force of personnel. DOCUMENT 1. DIA. DDB-1100-UR-81, Ground Order of Battle: USSR (U), Jan 81 (SECRET *Extracted information is classified SECRET Pact Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC, 25X1 25X1 Warsaw 25X1 25X1 WNINTEL - 1 - Z-20034 /8 / SECRET IA R-0028/81 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T00380R000101080001-3 Q Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T00380R000101080001-3 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3 Secret Secret Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/18: CIA-RDP81T0038OR000101080001-3