Southern Military District

Southern Military District (SMD) is a military-administrative unit of the Russian Federation. It encompasses Russia’s Southwestern regions, mainly North Caucasus. Based on September 20, 2010 Directive of the President of the Russian Federation, on October 4 2010, in terms of the military reform, the Southern Military District was created on the basis of the North Caucasus Military District (NCMD). Apart from the 58th (1st operative command) and 49th (second operative command) armies under its authority, SMD also includes the Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla, as well as the 4th Command of Air Forces and Air Defense.

SMD has a century-old history. The NCMD was established on May 4, 1918 with the Decree of the People’s Council of Commissioners. On October 3, 1918, at the order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Southern Front, the North Caucasus Red Army was named the 11th Army. After the end of the Civil War in Russia, on May 4, 1921, at the order of the Revolutionary Military Council, NCMD was re-established, with headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. The NCMD was abolished during the Second World War. After the end of the War, a military district was re-established on the territory of North Caucasus, returning the old name of NCMD to it in 1946.

NCMD military units played an important role in the processes unfolding in North and South Caucasus after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The District units were involved in a military confrontation taking place in North Caucasus, on the territory of Chechnya. The District units also directly participated in the 2008 Russia-Georgia War, after which on February 1, 2009, Russian military bases were established in the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region on the basis of the Southern Military District. SMD military personnel played a decisive role in the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. SMD pilots and marines also participated in the military operations in Syria as well. 

According to the data from October 2018, SMD military units are placed on the territories of two Federal Districts of the Russian Federation (Southern and North Caucasus) as well as on the annexed territories of Crimea since 2014. Three SMD military bases are also placed in South Caucasus:  102nd military base in Gyumri, Armenia and on the territories of the occupied regions of Georgia – 7th military base in Gudauta, Abkhazia and 4th military base in Tskhinvali and Java, Tskhinvali Region.

SMD Command Headquarters are located in Rostov-on-Don. The Commander of the District is General-Colonel Aleksandr Dvornikov.

Apart from the units of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Command also presides over the units from Ministry of Internal Affairs Domestic Army, Federal Security Service border defense forces, Ministry for Emergency Situations and other militarized structures.

Officially, SMD aims to ensure security on the Southern borders of Russia; however, in reality, its activities are aimed at strengthening Russia’s military control over South Caucasus.

In order to counter the threats originating from the West, the District saw various new types of military units form within its territory. According to the statement of the Minister of Defense of Russia, Sergei Shoigu, the military-political situation in Southwestern strategic direction in recent years has become more complicated, which is mainly connected to increased NATO presence in Eastern Europe, situation in Ukraine and activities of international terrorist groups, including in North Caucasus. According to Shoigu, there are two missile brigades formed within SDM, both equipped with Iskander-M systems. In addition, the number of military personnel has also increased.

SMD holds various types of military exercises throughout the year, both within the whole territory of the District, as well as in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. For example, in September 2018, at the request of SMD Commander Aleksandr Dvornikov, SMD Motor Rifle Battalion held trainings in Abkhazia for the first time, simulating combat confrontation with air and naval support. Tactical military exercises are often held on the polygons of both Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.  

Russian military bases in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region periodically also participate in large-scale military exercises. For example, on October 1, 2018, Abkhazian military polygons engaged in the largest military exercises conducted by Russia for the past 30 years. According to Dvornikov’s statement, apart from Russia, the exercises also took place in Armenia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, perfecting contemporary forms and means of combat, also using the experience gotten in Syria.

In February 2018, President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, awarded SMD with the Suvorov Order for strengthening defense capabilities of the state, outstanding results in military training and personal bravery and heroism by its personnel during combat tasks. On May 5, 2018, the centenary of the establishment of SMD was celebrated in Rostov-on-Don. 

Lately, SMD has become a sort of a breeding ground of cadres for the Ministry of Defense of Russia. In 2017, Dvornikov’s predecessor, Aleksandr Galkin, was appointed to the position of Assistant to the Minister of Defense. In 2012, the former SMD Chief of Staff, Valeri Gerasimov, became the Head of General Staff. In 2016, First Deputy Commander of SMD, Andre Serdiukov, became the Commander of Airborne Forces. According to the prevalent opinion, the appointment of SMD cadres on top positions is due to the fact that SMD is the most experienced in terms of participating in combat. Apart from participating in war with Georgia, it was also SMD equipment and personnel that were placed in Crimea before its annexation. In 2015, the Ukrainian side accused Serdiukov of being a commander of “all groupings of Russian occupation forces” in Eastern Ukraine. Serdiukov is also considered to have led the special operation ensuring the referendum on joining Russia in Crimea, before the annexation in 2014