The Federal National Guard Service of the russian federation (Rosgvardiya) has established tank units, part of a wider expansion of its heavy weaponry, according to its chief (and russian President Vladimir Putin's former bodyguard), Viktor Zolotov, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Rosgvardiya, up to 400,000 strong, reports directly to Vladimir Putin and is not a part of russia's Ministry of Defense. Its primary intended purpose is to provide domestic security to ensure the continuity of the russian regime. Rosgvardiya units have deployed to Ukraine, playing an important role in rear-area security operations. Some units have also participated in frontline combat, despite being ill-suited for the intense fighting.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: russia Transfers Naval Infantry to Target the Pokrovsk-Dobropillia Axis
The decision to strengthen the force with heavy weapons, signed into law by Vladimir Putin in August 2023, followed the abortive Wagner Group mutiny of June 2023. Despite Viktor Zolotov's claim that his force performed "excellently" during the mutiny, there is no evidence that Rosgvardiya carried out any effective action against the Wagner Group; exactly the sort of internal security threat it was designed to repress.
The creation of tank units is a marked militarization of Rosgvardiya, improving its capacity to deal with military and paramilitary threats to Vladimir Putin's regime security. It also almost certainly demonstrates the Kremlin's continued trust in Rosgvardiya's loyalty.
As Defense Express previously reported, the declared phase of russia's annual Zapad-2025 Joint Strategic Exercise was conducted alongside Belarus from September 12, 2025, until September 16, 2025, although russian and Belarusian troops had been training together at exercise locations since at least August 2025.
Fewer land troops and armoured vehicles were likely involved than in previous russian annual exercises because of russia's heavy commitment to its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: Vladimir Putin Inflates Numbers in the Zapad-2025 Military Drills
