Soviet Army

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The Soviet Ground Forces: A Short Overview

What they were
The Soviet Ground Forces were the land warfare branch of the Soviet Armed Forces from 1946 to 1992. They replaced the Red Army after World War II. When the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991, the Ground Forces stayed under the new Commonwealth of Independent States for a short time before being dissolved in 1992. Most of their units in Russia became the Russian Ground Forces, while other units went to the new states that formed after the USSR’s collapse.

Size, equipment, and power
- Size: In 1991 about 3.7 million active soldiers; the force reached a wartime peak much higher during World War II (tens of millions in various categories) and had several million in reserve at that time.
- Equipment (approximate for 1991): about 55,000 main battle tanks, more than 70,000 armored personnel carriers, around 24,000 infantry fighting vehicles, roughly 33,000 towed artillery pieces, and about 9,000 self-propelled howitzers.
- Organization: The Ground Forces were organized in a system of military districts and large formations designed for high-intensity, multi-division operations in Europe. They included a large number of motor rifle divisions (mechanized infantry) and tank divisions, with substantial support and artillery units. The force also featured specialized commands and groups, such as formations stationed in Germany and other Eastern European countries during the Cold War.

History and key shifts
- Postwar changes: After World War II, the Soviet military reduced and reorganized its forces multiple times. The Ground Forces shifted from many rifle divisions to motor rifle divisions, and over the years restructured command and control to improve readiness for large-scale war in Europe.
- Nuclear emphasis: In the 1950s and beyond, leadership reduced some ground force strength to build up the Strategic Rocket Forces, reflecting a strong move toward nuclear capabilities.
- Global role: Throughout the Cold War, the Ground Forces supported Soviet aims abroad by deploying troops and advising allied armies in Eastern Europe and other regions, and they helped manage crises and suppress uprisings when ordered.
- Afghanistan war: The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, sending up to about 115,000 troops at the height of the war. The conflict lasted until 1989, costing many lives and resources. The experience left a lasting impact on soldiers and on Soviet society, with veterans known as “Afgantsy.”

End of the Soviet era
- Reductions and upheaval: In the mid-to-late 1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev tried to shrink the armed forces to relieve economic strain. This proved difficult, and reforms caused organizational confusion, especially as republics began to break away.
- Collapse and dissolution: After the failed August 1991 coup and the December 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, the Ground Forces dissolved. Units in the new independent states were divided or disbanded. Most surviving forces in Russia formed the Russian Ground Forces; other assets went to the successor states.
- Aftermath: Some weapons and equipment remained in post-Soviet states or fell into unofficial markets or conflicts. The division of equipment and bases among new national forces took several years to complete.

Notable people and legacy
Georgy Zhukov was a prominent commander in the era that began with the Ground Forces’ postwar reorganization. The Soviet Ground Forces left a lasting legacy in technology, training, and military doctrine, influencing the armed forces of the successor states for years after 1992.