How Russia's military uses volunteer fighters to plug gaps in Ukraine

In late 2022, Russian forces withdrew from Balakliia, Ukraine, leaving a group of poorly equipped volunteers from the National Army Combat Reserve (BARS) to guard their retreat as Ukrainian troops pursued them and artillery fire loomed. The BARS force, consisting of around 50 men, represents a loose assembly of units totaling several thousand fighters deployed by Russia’s defense ministry in Ukraine to supplement its regular forces. A bodycam footage of about four hours, obtained by Reuters, offers a rare firsthand view of a BARS unit’s combat operations, as assessed by three military experts.

Founded in 2015, BARS saw combat deployment for the first time during the invasion of Ukraine. The video footage, along with interviews with four platoon members, reveals that the BARS unit tasked with defending Balakliia had no heavy weaponry or air support, faced issues with communication, and experienced confused coordination with the regular military.

One BARS fighter, inquiring about the absence of air support, voiced concerns about being surrounded as the squad took a break during Ukrainian shelling, sharing a meal of cold meat stew. The squad leader, Anton Kuznetsov, recorded the exchange on his bodycam and tried to reassure his men that there must be a valid reason for the lack of air support, despite their frustrations.

When contacted by Reuters, Kuznetsov admitted to making the bodycam video but stated that he had misplaced the memory card of the camera, which was left in a rucksack after the retreat. Both Russia’s defense ministry and the Kremlin did not respond to requests for comments about the video or the extent of the military’s reliance on BARS irregulars.

The footage cannot independently verify the general conditions of the BARS force, but recent territorial gains by Russia along the frontline have highlighted the need for more equipment and support from Western allies, according to Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the contribution of BARS fighters to the campaign, praising their patriotism and service in the conflict.

As BARS continues to operate in Ukraine, it represents a segment of irregular forces aiding Russia in avoiding a general draft. Estimates suggest that BARS contributes between 10,000 and 30,000 fighters to a larger Russian force in or near Ukraine, although the exact number of BARS fighters remains undisclosed by Russia. Recent engagements involve BARS units in north-east Ukraine and the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where they have supported Russian operations.

Despite the usefulness of BARS in filling manpower gaps, some experts view the group in the video as lacking professionalism and adequate training. The footage captures the events of Sept. 6, 2022, when a core Russian force was retreating from Balakliia amid a Ukrainian counter-offensive, leaving BARS fighters behind to defend the town. Squad leader Kuznetsov was tasked with repelling Ukrainian forces with limited heavy weaponry.

During the conflict, efforts to establish communication with a nearby artillery unit for support proved unsuccessful, leaving the squad feeling abandoned and vulnerable. As they awaited a confrontation with approaching Ukrainian forces the next day, Kuznetsov and his men played with toy soldiers, symbolizing a soldier requesting air support. Despite engaging the Ukrainian forces, the outnumbered Russians faced difficulty and eventually had to retreat.

Following the retreat, BARS 9 temporarily disbanded, according to sources, but has since been restarted. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now entering its third year, underscores the critical role of irregular forces like BARS in Russia’s military strategy. These forces provide a means for mobilizing the population, training additional fighters, and bolstering the mass of Russian troops in the region.