FUNDAMENTALS OF A STRATEGIC OPERATION IN A CONTINENTAL THEATER OF MILITARY OPERATIONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: CIA Analysis of the Soviet Navy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005995313
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: June 19, 2017
• Document Release Date: June 19, 2017
• Case Number: SC-2007-00006
• Publication Date: September 30, 1977

APPROVED FOR RELEASE
CIA HISTORICAL RELEASE
PROGRAM
JUNE 201T
AR 70-14
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE /AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505
30.. September 1977
MEMORANIMM FOR: The Director of Central Intelligence
FROM Theodore'G. Shackley
Acting Deputy Director for Operations
SUBJECT Fundamentals of a Strategic Operation in a
Continental Theater of Military Operations
1. The enclosed Intelligence Information Special Report is a
translation from Russian of an apparent draft of an undated, TOP SECRET
Soviet academy-level text or lecture which provides an overview of Soviet
thinking an the content, planning and conduct of strategic operations in
the Western theater. The front is considered the basic force operating in
a continental theater in conjunction with strategic rocket forces, long
range aviation air defense forces, and the navy under the overall
leadership of aviation,
Supreme High Command. A strategic operation may include
both nuclear and non-nuclear offensive actions. The defense is considered
a legitimate action of a forced, temporary nature.
2. Because the source of this report is extremely sensitive, this
document should be handled on a strict need-to-know basis within recipient
agencies.
1 of 23 Pages
OP
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
b-4-/C
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
=1iirq-t9;1-1
Distribution:
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Director of Intelligence and Research
Department of State
The Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
The Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Intelligence
Department of the Army
Director of Naval Intelligence
Department of the Navy
The Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence
U. S. Air Force
Director, National Security Agency
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy to the Director of Central Intelligence
for National Intelligence Officers
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Director of Strategic Research
Director of Weapons Intelligence
Page 2 of 23 Pages
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
?7.1=10?fflieftercr
COUNTRYUSSR
DATE OF t\f\ , -1(0
INFO.
? Intelligence Information Special Report
Page 3 of 23 Pages
SUBJECT
DATE
_30_September 1977
Fundamentals of a Strategic Operation in a
Continental Theater of Military Operations
SOURCE Documentary
S
The following report is a trans1ation from Russian of an apparent
draft of an undated, TOP SECRET Soviet academy-level text or lecture which
provides an overview of Soviet thinking on the content, planning and
conduct of strategic operations in the Western theater. The front is
considered the basic force operating in a continental theater-TR--
conjunction with strategic rocket forces, long range aviation, air defense
forces, and the navy under the overall leadership of the Supreme High
Command. A strategic operation may include both nuclear and non-nuclear
offensive actions. The defense is considered a legitimate action of a
forced, temporary nature. The bulk of the document is devoted to measures
for restoring combat effectiveness and resuming the offensive following an
exchange of nuclear strikes, and to a strategic offensive begun with
conventional weapons.
End of Summary
Comment:
General of the Army Ivan Yegorovich Shavrov, to whom this document is
attributed, has been identified as Chief of the Military kademy of the
General Staff since May 1973.
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
-Ter-seeRer-
Page 4 of 23 Pages
-TOP SECRET
Copy No.
Fundamentals of a.Strategic Operation
in a Continental Theater of Military Operations
General of the Army Shavrov
1. Content of a strategic operation in a continental theater of
military operations.
2. Planning of a strategic operation.
3. 'Conduct of a strategic operation.
A strategic operation in a continental theater of military operations
is the sum total of strikes, operations, and combat actions of formations
\ and large units of the diiferent branches of thearmed forces coordinated
by objective, place, and time, united by a single concept, and conducted
under the overall leadership of the Supreme High Command to achieve a
strategic objective of war in the given theater.
Large groupings of allsthe'branches of the armed forces may be called
upon to conduct a strategic operation. Their composition will depend on:
the objective of the operation;
the composition of forces and means of the enemy;
the importance and peculiarities of the theater, and other factors.
Specifically, in a strategic operation in the Western Theater of
Military Operations there may participate:
) -- several formations and large units of the Strategic Rocket Forces;
-- several fronts;
-TCIP-SECREL
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
'461111-1EritET
Page 5 of 23 Pages
-- forces of the combined navy of the Warsaw Pact member states;
-- large units of Long Range Aviation;
-- formations and large units of the Air Defense Forces of the Country
situated in the theater of military operations.
A considerable number of nuclear warheads of different yields may be v..
allocated for the operation.
The formations and large units of the Strategic Rocket Forces are one
llof the main means of accomplishing the tasks of a strategic operation in a
nuclear war. They are charged with ded=2;tiELof the strategic and
operational-tactical nuclear forces and the reserves of nuclear weapons of
the enemy in the depth of the theater, destruction of centers and
installations of the military economy, diutru042fi of state control centers
of the countries of the hostile coalition and of command posts and
communications centers of the strategic and operational levels of control.
Also 4esruction of large groupings of the armed forces of the enemy,
destructiTrfransportation centers and other important targets.
The fronts taking part in the strategic operation, in terms of the
number of forces and means, occupy the dominant position among the
groupings of the other branches of the armed forces. In a strategic
operation conducted with the use of nuclear weapons, they will with their
nuclear forces destroy the opposing enemy groupings in the theater, and
with the actions of the motorized rifle divisions; tank divisions, and
airborne divisions of large units [sic] complete the rout of his troops
surviving the nuclear strikes and take the key areas and centers on his
territory which have vital importance for the enemy.
In a strategic operation beginning with the use of conventional means
of destruction, fronts acting in conjunction and cooperation with long
range aviation, naval forces, and air defense forces of the country will be
the main force to defeat the enemy in the theater of military operations.
The formations and large units of the air forces, independently and in
cooperation with the other branches of the armed forces, will accomplish
tasks to destroy or weaken the aviation and the missile/nuclear groupings
of the enemy in the theater, to support the combat actions of the ground
forces naval forces, and landing forces, to cover them against strikes
from the air, carry on combat with reserves, destroy military industrial
.111??????????????11
-TOP-SEERE
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
-780-43?PeRirt?
Page 6 of 23 Pages
installations and transportation centers, conduct aerial reconnaissance,
and carryout airlifts of troops and materiel.
The naval forces taking Dart in a strategic operation in a continental
theater ? 'lita 6 09-V 11 dest ?
o the theater, assist the gpundfores qn the offensive on coastal axes
in the assault crossing of wide water ioNtacles and in the seizure of
straits zones, support the landing .if an amphibious landing force, blockade
enemy groupings which have been pressed to the sea or cut off, destroy
enemy amphibious landing forces at sea and participate in repulsing their
landing on the coast, disrupt or stop the sea shipping of the enemy,
support our own movements of troops and materiel by sea, and also des
and neutralize important targets on the coast and in the depth of enemy
territory.
The formations and large units of the air defense forces of the
country, in cooperation with the air defense forces and means of fronts and
the navy, will cover the most important economic areas and centers, major
transportation centers, and other important installations of the theater of
military operations, as well as groupings of armed forces, rear services
installations, and naval bases within established boundaries against enemy
aerospace strikes.
A strategic operation may include: -
-- nuclear strikes of strategic nuclear forces against preplanned
strategic enemy targets within thp.baWarialif theigy_thaater of
military operations in a war with the use of nuclear weapons;
-- the first and subsequent operations of fronts;
-- air operations with the participation of various branches of the
armed forces, which may be conducted for the purposes of:
a) destroying or weakening the aviation and the missile/nuclear
groupings of the enemy;
b) destroying or damaging thltst important installations
of the military economy in e enemy rear;
c) routing or destroying operational and strategic reserves;
d) stopping operational-strategic shipments;
e) disorganizing the state and military control of the enemy;
:411 ;????11l
I ?
? II
10P-SECRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 005995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Ti91,?*PealtPT?
Page 7 of 23 Pages
-- an air operation of long range aviation for the accomplishment of
independent tasks and its combat actions in support of fronts, the navy,
and the airborne troops;
-- airborne landing operations;
-- naval operations and combat actions of the navy to defeat the enemy
in the naval theater of military operations and in the areas of the ocean
adjacent to the continental theater of military operations, to assist front
troops operating on a coastal axis, and also to accomplish certain other
tasks jointly with these troops;
-- combat actions of the formations and large units of the air defense
forces of the country near the frontier (front).
The scope of a strategic operation is determined by its objective, the
composition and capabilities of our armed forces and the forces of the
enemy, the importance and peculiarities of the theater of military
operations, as well as its dimensions.
The duration of a trateic operation is usually determined by the
time necessary for the rotnd forces to capture the vitally important areas
of enemy territory; in the Western Theater of Military Operations, with a
depth of 1,200 to 1,800 kilometers and an average rate of advance of up to
50 kilometers per. day, the duration would be as much as 25 to 35 days and
INES4?.
The basis of a strategic operation conducted with the use of nuclear
weapons is the delivery against the enemy of strikes by the strategic and
operational-tactical nuclear forces.
If a strategic operation begins with the use of conventional weapons,
the decisive role in defeating the enemy grouping in the theater will
belong to the front troops cooperating with the air forces, the air defense
of the country, and the navy.
The sphtpaspispespIlonal-tactical nuclear forces in this period
must be in
rea iness to &aver nuclear strikes.
Having greatest importance for achieving the objective of a strategic
operation am actions of the armed forces to gain antuis3Mtly
VP
hold air-WAX:4114y; The main form of the struggle for air is
the air operation to destroy or weaken the aviation and the missile/nuclear
?742R-SECUL,
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
-TOP-SECRET?
Page 8 of 23 Pages
groupings of the enemy.
The preparation of a strategic operation in a continental theater of
military operations includes a wide array of measures, of which the main
ones are:
-- adoption of the decision for the operation;
-- planning of the operation;
-- formation of the grouping of armed forces intended to conduct the
operation, assignment of tasks to the operational formations;
-- organization of cooperation of the groupings of all the branches of
the armed forces participating in the operation;
-- preparation of measures for all-around support of the operation;
-- organization of the system of control of the groupings of armed
forces in the operation;
-- preparation of the troops and naval forces to fulfil combat tasks;
-- preparation of the theater of military operations.
The preparation of a strategic operation is carried out in advance
while it is still peacetime. The decision is made by the Supreme High
Command.
Viten working out the decision for a strategic operation and developing
the plan, the following tenets of Soviet military doctrine are taken as the
basis: -
First: Predatory wars are alien to the Soviet Union
as a socialist state. Comrade Brezhnev pointed out at the
Twenty-Fifth Congress: 'The Soviet Union does not need
war. ..Our country is consistently and unswervingly
struggling for peace, and constantly coming forth with
concrete proposals aimed at reducing armament and at
disarming." The Soviet Union does not need expansion of
its frontiers. But that which has been created by the
hands of the Soviet people it will defend with all
determination, including in respect to the socialist
1012-5EtitEr
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
countries.
Page 9 of 23 Pages
Second: In case the aggressor tries to encroach
upon our socialist land and its national interests, the
Soviet Union will conduct resolute military actions until
the complete defeat of the foe with the use of all the
military might of the country and all the forces and
means at the disposal of our state. The Soviet Army
and Navy will immediately go over to aggressive
actions to the offensive, if an aggressor violates
our frontiers.
Third: Along with the offensive, Soviet military
doctrine acknowledges the legitimacy of defensive
actions on the strategic, operational, and tactical
scales. However, defense is regarded as a forced type
of action. It will be employed where and in those
cases when there are not enough forces and means to
conduct offensive actions or when it is necessary to
gain time to build them up and bring about conditions
for subsequently going over to a determined offensive.
The decision for a strategic operation may include:
-- conclusions from an assessment of the military-political situation
in the theater;
-- an assessment of the groupings of armed forces and strategic
installations of the enemy and his probable plans of military actions;
-- the composition and capabilities of one's own forces and means
allocated for conducting the operation;
-- the balance of forces and means of the sides at the beginning of
and during the operation (overall and by strategic axes);
-- the objective and concept of the strategic operation;
-- the disposition of the groupings of armed forces in the operation;
-- the procedure for using nuclear weapons;
-TOP-SEGRET-
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
7T-GP-SSCRET-
the.tasks of the formati
Page 10 of 23 Pages
of branches of the armed forces;
-- instructions on the org zation of cooperation, all-around support
and control.
The content of the objective
the political objective of the war
forces of the enemy and the balance
military-geographical con tions o
other conditions.
tegic operation will depend on
capabilities of our forces and the
etween them, on the
the theater of military operations, and
In the concept of a strategic operation in a continental theater of
military operations are determined the main countries and groupings of
armed forces of the enemy on whose defeat the main efforts of our armed
forces must be concentrated, and the methods and sequence of fulfilment of
the designated tasks.
The groupings of armed forces participating in a strategic operation
are assigned a number of general strategic tasks, for instance:
-- to destroy the opposing grouping of armed forces of the enemy in
the theater, above all his nuclear means;
-- to ward off strikes of the enemy's aerospace means of attack;
-- to destroy the most important elements of the military-economic
base and undermine the morale and political potential of the enemy;
-- to disorganize state and military control;
-- to capture and hold vitally invortairt areas of hostile territory.
The planning of a strategic operation in a theater of military
operations is done in advance, while it is still peacetime, on the basis of
the decision adopted. It includes the drawing up of:
-- a plan of the strategic operation;
-- plans of the operation of the fronts and of air and airborne
landing operations;
-- a plan of the combat actions of the formations and large units of
air defense forces of the country near the frontier (front);
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Page 11 of 23 Pages
-- a plan of the operation and combat actions of naval forces.
The plan of the strategic operation is worked out by the General
Staff. Those who take part in working it out are the commanders-in-chief
and main staffs of the branches of the armed forces, the chiefs of branch
arms and special troops, and the chiefs of the rear, respectively, in the
matters that concern them.
The plan of a strategic operation is a set of documents which reflect
the sequence and methods of actions of the groupings of armed forces and
the time periods in which they are to fulfil the assigned tasks.
The plan of a strategic operation is the same for conditions of the
start of military actions both with and without the use of nuclear weapons
A unified plan must be maximally flexible, but at the same time
sufficiently finite. In all cases, all first-priority tasks must be
formulated in it most concretely.
The plan of a strategic operation is periodically amended before the
start of war in keeping with the changes taking place in the alignment of
military-political forces -in the world arena, in the status of one's own
armed forces, and in the groupings and plans of the probable enemy.
Conduct of a strategic operation
With the growth of a threat of the outbreak of war, the armed forces
are brought from peace to wartime status. The operational deployment of
groupings in the theater of military operations is carried out.
In order to preclude a surprise enemy attack by land, sea, or air, and
to ensure the organized commitment to action of the front troops and naval
forces, operational coverage of their deployment is carried out.
For these purposes, large units and units allocated for frontier
coverage take up the defense in land sectors of the national frontier, and
additional combat duty forces and means are deployed at sea. The means of
air defense are brought into readiness.
With the start of an enemy attack, the forces allocated for
operational coverage are the first to ward off his invasion and ensure the
/ organized deployment and commitment to the engagement of the main forces.
TOP---SECREL__
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Pt
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
-ToP-seatrr-
Page 12 of 23 Pages
A strategic operation in a continental theater of military operations,
depending an the conditions of the military-political situation and the
method by which the enemy unleashes the war, may begin and develop in
different ways. The beginning of military actions is possible after a
period of worsening of the military-politica situation or with a surprise
unleashing of war. Military actions may begin with the use of nuclear
weapons or of conventional means of destruction alone.
On the whole, though, depending on the concrete conditionsLA___
strategic operation, as well as a world war, may include a number of
periods:
-- a period of military actions with conventional means;
-- a period of military actions with limited use of nuclear weapons;
-- a period of military actions with unlimited use of nuclear weapons;
-- a period of subsequent (concluding) military actions.
Each of these periods will have its own special features and methods
of combat actions.
Actions with unlimited use of nuclear weapons will begin with the
delivery of the initial strike of the strategic and operational-tactical
nuclear forces.
Simultaneously with the delivery of the initial nuclear strike, there
will begin intense combat actions of the air defense troops of the fronts,
of the rum', and of the air defense forces of the country to ward off the
nuclear attack of the enemy.
The first nuclear strikes of the sides will be the most powerful and
the most telling. It should be expected that the combat effectiveness of
the opposing groupings may be undermined by these strikes alone.
Losses will be considerable also in the means of delivery of nuclear
weapons. However, the sides may, after the initial strike still have a
certain number of nuclear warheads at their disposal and they will deliver
further nuclear strikes against surviving important enemy targets in the
theater.
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 005995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
?11113-ItPetiff-
Page 13 of 23 Pages
Theoretical calculations and the experience of NATO armed forces
exercises indicate that the most intensive nuclear strikes by the sides ma
be delivered in the first three to five days. In this time they may use
a large part o the accmnI?d niirwariieads and delivery means and
also sustain losses in nuclear warheads from enemy strikes.
Troops will also sustain great losses and individual groupings may
lose combat effectiveness altogether. In the rear and the frontier zone,
many installations and whole areas will be subjected to destr&CM"--
Transportation lines will be disrupted. The sitgatt'ixieate_ther
of military operations may change drastically. Zones of radioactive
contamination, flooding, fires, and destruction will be formed over vast
areas.
Under such conditions the further conduct of the strategic operation
will depend chiefly on the capabilities of quickly restoring the combat
effectiveness of the groupings of our troops which have been subjected to
enemy nuclear strikes and organizing their subsequent actions.
Commanders and staffs must as soon as possible ascertain the situation
that hasganize elimination of the aftereffects of the enemy
nuclear strike, take steps to restore the combat effectiveness of
subordinate troops, and direct the remaining forces and means toward
fulfilment of previously assigned or refined combat tasks. In this period
everything must be subordinated to preempting the enemy in restoring the
combat effectiveness of troops and going over to the offensive on the most
important axes.
It is necessary to emphasize that in a nuclear war the combat
effectiveness of large units and units cannot be determined solely by the
percentage of losses sustained in personnel and equipment. This indicator
will be inadequate.
If a motorized rifle division, when conducting combat actions with the
use of conventional means, loses 70 percent of its personnel and equipment,
InxIE a division.gmt be consire4 1neffective for combat. Rather, it
may be characterized as eing of limited combat eqiefiveii-TESs. For
actually it will still have over 3,000 soldiers and officers left, 60 to 70
tanks, 60 guns and mortars, and 120 antitank means. And this is a large
force.
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 005995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
-7.12611--.0PrICT
Page 14 of 23 Pages
The case is different in a nuclear war. If, as the result of an enemy
1
nuclear strike, a division loses 70 percent of its complement, such a
division will more than likely prove unfit for combat.
Why do we think so? Because the division will sustain simultaneous
losses in minutes with a large number of dead and wo . .-. =; . 4 persons
with burns and contusions. There will be a drop in the moral of
personnel, which will be affected by considerable so-cal .sychogenic
factors associated with the impairment of the psychic condition of
personnel. Control will be disrupted. It will be necessary to carry out
much work to restore the combat effectiveness of such a division, for which
\:. definite time amounting to several dozen hours and possibly even
eviT.II days is ne
Restoration of the combat effectiveness of the groupings of armed
forces in the theater after a massed nuclear strike includes:
-- restoration of the disrupted control system;
-- elimination of the aftereffects of the enemy nuclear strike; --
-- restoration of the combat effectiveness of the large units and -
units;
-- reestablishment of the groupings of armed forces on the most
important axes;
-- restoration of the system of combat, special, and rear services
support.
As a result of the performance of these measures groupings of the
armed forces capable of continuing combat actions under the new conditions
should be restored or formed anew.
Restoration of the combat effectiveness of troops and forces
objectively must begin with restoration of the disrupted control system at
all levels, since successful performance of all the other indicated
measures depends an this above all.
Restoration of the disrupted control system includes:
-- transfer of control to the surviving forward, alternate, amaliary,
and rear posts;
-TOP-SiCRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 005995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
?117516 SWIFT
Page 15 of 23 Pages
-- transfer of control to lower levels in case all of the posts of the
higher level are put out of action;
-- restoration of communicaticais lines and centers;
-- restoration of communications between cooperating formations and
large units, etc.
Simultaneously with restoration of disrupted control, the command and
staffs of all levels must take all steps to ascertain the condition of
their own troops, forces, and means, the radiation and engineer situation,
and the condition of the enemy.
On the basis of an assessment of the data received, the Supreme High
Command and the formation commanders make decisions on the restoration of
troop combat effectiveness, the reestablishment of groupings, and their
subsequent actions. It is quite obvious that changes will be introduced
into the plans of operations and the tasks of troops, in an number of cases
radical changes summing from the situation that has developed.
The composition of groupings to be reestablished must be determined on
the basis of the tasks which are to be accomplished during the development
of the operation after the massed nuclear strike, taking into account one's
own surviving forces and means and the forces and means of the enemy.
On the basis of the decisions made, the staffs work out plans of the
restoration of combat effectiveness of troops and means, in which all
measures and the time periods for carrying them out are defined in detail.
Immediately after the first enemy nuclear strikes, steps are taken to
eliminate the aftereffects of these strikes, aid is promptly given to the
stricken personnel, water supply and decontamination treatment and
radiation decontamination are organized, and, when necessary, the removal
of troops to new uncontaminated areas is carried out.
In this period the replenishment of troops with personnel and combat
equipmy drawinginwn_reserve units_will be extremely difficult.
ere ore, all the main measures to restore the combateffectiveness of
large units and units first are carried out predominantly with one's own
troops, rigio.:_?':'?)it../atotil
suffered eatr
e_uttit: c.p . .4w1 go Op that have lost combat eff
Rapid restoration and repair of damage armament, combat equipment, and
132e....SEGIZET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
=ND carDay
Page 16 of 23 Pages
transport is organized.
In the course of reorganization, some large units, units, and subunits
may be eliminated and their remaining personnel and equipment turned over
for completing the nanning and equipping of other large units and units.
As a result, the total number of large units and units may be reduced.
At the same time, as the experience of exercises shows, when the
combat effectiveness of troops is being restored it is necessa to
endeavor to reserve their organizational structure. s te tachments
are ess e ective, and one shollaTaifflYITREformition of them only in
extreme cases and only to perform separate tasks.
An integral component of all measures to restore the combat
effectiveness of large units and units is skilfull conducted party
political work. It must be aimed at raising morale and cothat spirit
of the troops in every possible way, strengthening troop discipline, and
mobilizing the personnel to eliminate the aftereffects of the nuclear
attack most quickly and complete the defeat of the enemy.
Reestablishment of the groupings of armed forces on the most important
axes of the theater of military operations can be carried out by using the
remaining large units and units and those that have restored their combat
effectiveness, including second echelons and reserves of the front and
armies, as well as by regrouping troops from secondary axes.
To strengthen froni(of thesigeratifilonal echelon the Supreme
\,
High Command can use Fare of the remaiping troops iifonts and armies
of the second echelon, strate ic r rves, and reserves-kit...armament, combat
equipment, and materiel. e experience of exercises shows that the
stra?qic reserves situated in the depth of the territory of the theater
olmaatalx_gparataans, have better conditions than first-echelon troops
for a dispersed disposition and obviously will sustain fewer losses from
enemy nuclear strike. Therefore, in a number of cases e strate ic
reser?ves may prove to be the decisive source for reestablishingthgroupings
iTinned forces in the theater of military operations.
It is necessary to keep in mind that complete restoration of the
groupings of armed forces in the theater of military operations up to the
level of their original strength is virtually impossible. In addition,
such a reestablishment of groupings, as a rule, is not required, since the
strength of forces and means of the opposing enemy will likewise be
drastically reduced.
TOP SECRCT?
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
TeP?SECrir
Page 17 of 23 Pages
The time necessary to restore the combat effectiveness of troops and
reestablish the groupings of armed forces in a theater of military
operations will depend on the specific situation as well as on the
proficiency of formation commanders and staffs.
The rapid restoration of the combat effectiveness of troops and
reestablishment of the groupings of armed forces will have a decisive
effect on the development of the strategic operation, and will make it
possible to preempt the enemy in subsequent actions, to disrupt the
measures he is carrying out to restore the combat effectiveness of forces
and means, and, retaining the initiative oneself, to successfully perform
the assigned tasks.
To preempt the enemy in actions, our troops must not await restoration
of the combat effectiveness of all forces, but go over to the offensive in
individual groupings and even individual large units and units as they are
ready.
The large units and units of the first echelon of armies that have
retained combat effectiveness may go over to the offensive on separate axes
in the wake of a massed nuclear strike with the task Of completing the rout
of the troops of the first operational echelon of th4 enemy.
The main groupings of fronts that have been reestablished by using the
troops that have survived the enemy nuclear strike must, without stopping,
move forward to the maximum possible depth. The main task of these
groupings will be completion of the rout of enemy reserves and prompt
seizure of of his vitally important installations and areas in the depth.
The troops must act with maximum courage and aggressiveness and
independently accomplish tasks under conditions of exposed flanks and while
separated from the remaining forces of the fronts and armies. They must
not be drawn into combat with the enemy groupings remaining immediately in
the front zone, especially those which are in areas with much destruction
and strong radioactive contamination that are difficult for our units to
operate in.
For actions beyond zones of solid destruction and radioactive
,/--contamination, it is advisable to use airborne troops and motorized rifle
units landed from helicopters.
The objective of such a deep incursion on the ground, from the air and
sea, into the territory of the enemy is to paralyze his possible
Approved for for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
___7130-4PelfrY
Page 18 of 23 Pages
retaliatory actions faster and not let him restore the combat effectiveness
of the grouping of troops in the theater or transfer forces from other
theaters or from overseas.
In this period, bold and daring actions even of individual units that
have retained their combat effectiveness may disorganize the enemy for good
and paralyze his will for further resistance.
/Completion of the rout of enemy troops which remain in the front zone
eliminating the aftereffects of our nuclear strikes is advisably done with /
large units and units that have restored their combat effectiveness. They/ i
may be reinforced with troops from the operational and strategic reserves./ -I
i
To develop a non-stop offensive of troops in the theater, the Supreme
High Camnand will maneuver forces and means by axes, dellysith
the remaining strate c n .. z41 ;Mt roe. .440 2. I ! and
new y .;..c- if-i reinforce immi .? . :,..., ; lar e units f its
?i
own reserve commit secon
ts to the a ement and
use
Commitment of second-echelon fronts or armies to the engagement is
possible on the mairisliateitie?alii=on axes where there have been signs
of success or where a serious threat has developed for our troops.
Formations of the second merational echelon.may be used to rout major
groupings of the enemy and take important areas in the depth of the theater
of military operations, to ward off an offensive (counterattack) of enemy
reserves and rout the groupings Of his troops invading our territory, as
well as to replace the troops of fronts that have sustained great losses
from the enemy nuclear strike.
Depending on the situation, the commitment of a second-echelon front
to the engagement may be done at different depths, on the adjoining flanks
or an an exposed flank of fronts operating forward, after concentration in
an assigned area or from tHeinarch.
As the fronts are completing the first operations, the S reme_Bigh,
Comman will assignthe tasks for their conduct-af ibsequent operations.
e actions of the troops in the subsequent operations may amount to the
elimination of individual surviving groupings and the taking of important
installations and areas of the enemy in deep areas of the theater, as well
as to organization of the population and restoration of vital activity in
the territory of the theater.
TOP
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
, Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
1012-SEERE
Page 19 of 23 Pages
During the completion of a strategic operation, combat actions will in
all probability be conducted with forces and means of limited strength,
primarily with the ground forces with the use predominantly of conventional
means of destruction. There will be few nuclear weapons left, and they
will be used to deliver strikes against the most important targets.
In this period the combat actions of the ground forces will most
likely be in the nature of scattered centers of fighting and develop al
separate disconnected axes. The capabilities to reinforce fronts with
strategic reserves will be limited. Therefore, the maneuvering Even of
small-size forces, a fed divisions, will in many cases have decisive
importance for the successful completion of the strategic operation.
Periods of a strategic offensive operation in a
continental theater of military operations
I. A strategic operation in a continental theater of military
operations that begins with the use of conventional means of destruction
will be characterized by great intensity of combat actions and be conducted
under the cons threa of an enemy nuclear attack and with
constant re ss to e s own nuclear forces for the delivery of a
nuclear strike. ,
and Intl, rt Y fko+ 7
It may with the conduct of an air operation to destroy or weaken
the avia on and the missile/nuclear groupings of the enemy in the theater
of military operations for the purpose of gaining air iwpriority, on which
successful actions of the ground forces and will depend. During
the air operation it is necessary to: -
-- destroy the enemy aviation on airfields;
-- inflict damage an it in air engagements;
-- destroy runways and fuel depots;
-- neutralize the control system;
-- destroy the nuclear forces.
Of great importance for the seizure of the initiative and the success
of the whole strategic operation will be the initial actions of the groun
forces.
1.0E-SEGRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Page 20 of 23 Pages
Fronts and armies, with the start of a strategic operation and in
keeping with the situation that has developed, will conduct meeting
engagements on some axes, and an others they will deliver deep splitting
attacks with the subsequent encirclement and destruction of individual
groupings.
In all cases, the initial actions of our troops must be maximally
aggressive and determined, and aimed at thwarting en at -.:.ge
our forces in pro3Ange.in_the- is . rants and armies
must-deliveradiFigitting attacks with a simultaneousnr?irclemenund
destruction OriiidiVidUNI enemylrmings, It is very important to quickly
spaittip_the fait0375f-trie enemy, to isolate his indimidual-gzoupings,
strategic areas, and individual countries,ifid toittop the transfer of
reserves from the depth of the theater and especially from overseas.
It is necessary from the very start of the operation to thrust
maneuvering methods of action on the enemy and to carry out the rout of his
troops in meeting engagements.
Of great importance will be rapid thrusts into the rear of the enemy,
flanking movements, envelopments, encirclement, and destruction of his
forces in detail. In the process special attention must be paid to the
seizure of basing areas of tactical aviation siting areas of
operational-tactical missiles, and areas of the location of the most
important nuclear weapons depots of the enemy.
On axes where the enemy succeeds in taking up a defense the offensive
/may begin with a breakthrough of it. To quickly break through a defense
/ requires creating the necessary densities of forces and means, especially
I of means of fire neutralization of the defending enemy.
Attn breaking through the enemy defense, the floats will develop a
rapid offensive into the depth with strong attack groupings. In this
vsi( period, on the instructions of the Supreme High Command, large airborne
V landing forces may be employed. To build up the force of the attacks, the ,
1
fr ts of th irst operational echelon may be reinforced with large units -4,\
an ormations o the s giC reserve. ,-----
Under unfavorable conditions of the situation in the beginning and
during the course of a strategic operation on separate axes, defensive
actions may be undertaken on an operational or tactical scale for the
purpose of repelling superior forces of the enemy, inflicting damage on
him, and bringing about conditions for subsequently going over to a
44212-6EGRET?
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
?TOP--SECREr
Page 21 of 23 Pages
determined offensive.
The repulse of the enemy offensive must be carried out aggressively
with the delivery against him of powerful air and artillery strikes, as
well as counterattacks and counterthrusts with the forces of the second
echelons and reserves of the fronts and armies.
It is necessary, with aggressive actions of troops on the defensive
and in a short time, to force the enemy to give up a further offensive,
wear out his forces, and, using the available reserves as well as those
that have arrived from the interior, rout the main attack or counterattack
groupings of the enemy and continue the offensive.
The naval forces in the sea portion of the continental theater of ,
military operations will begin operations and combat actions to rout the
groupings of enemy naval forces. They will conduct landing operations and
combat actions to take straits zones jointly with the troops of coastal
fronts; they will disrupt enemy sea shipping, support our own sea shipping
77Ealcomplish other tasks jointly with the troops operating on coastal
axes.
The air defense forces of the country and the air defense forces
means of the front and fleet will concentrate their efforts on warding off
the massed strikes ofenemy aviation, which under the conditions of
conducting an operation with the use of conventional means will most
probably be delivered against our offensive groupings and against the most
important rear services installations.
During the offensive, the strategic nuclear forces and the nuclear
forces of the front andtatt mist be kept in readiness to deliver a
decisive nuclear Trike against the aggressor upon receipt of the
appropriate signal. The degree of readiness of the nuclear forces,
especially of the delivery aircraft, is established in connection with
immediate threat of the use of nuclear weapons by the enemy.
From the very start of the offensive, special attention must be
devoted to the detection and destruction of enemy means of nuclear attack,
which remain the first-priority targets of destruction also under the
conditions of conducting military actions with the use of conventional
weapons alone.
As the troops of the fronts on the offensive move forward into the
depth, many enemy targets designated for destruction with nuclear weapons
TOP SECRET
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
.TOP 5ECRT
Page 22 of 23 Pages
will have been captured or destroyed. Part of our nuclear forces,
especially operational-tactical forces, may also have been put out of
action as the result of enemy action. All of this requires Oe constant
inqsduationiof the necessArY ref inements.into the plans of the use of
nuclear weapons so that these plans are realistic when the moment of
delivering nuclear strikes arrives.
During a strategic operation with the use of only_conventional
weapons, there may ? "crisrersituations in which the enemy will make a
decision to use nuclear weapons. Such a "crisis" situation for the enemy
maybe brought about upon his loss of important defensive lines; after
destruction of his major groupings of troops, upon the threat of the loss
of key economic areas, etc.
At this crucial moment, the main task will consist in not giving the
enemy the opportunity to preempt us in the delivery of massed nuclear
strikes. It is necessary to conduct careful reconnaissance of the enemy
and continuously follow the location and relocation of his nuclear forces
in order, upon going over to actions with the use of nuclear forces, to
destroy these means in the first massed nuclear strike. Simultaneously, it
pr ar d and fixst_to a avia ve numbers to hit the enemy 11
is necessary to st s to dis st a nuclear attack that is being
nue ear forces with conventional we apps, to speed up the rates of advance
of the troops o
e ?.ts tor 1iipurpose of quickly seizing the
deployment areas of tactical nuclear forces, and to carrLout.the....drop_of
,) airborne divisions and sabggrous with the task of destroying,. the
" control posts of missiI#s, Effelivery aircraft on the airfields, the
nucleat-Qaiheads depots, and the IiriatiOn control and guidance centers.
-
--
--Going over to the conduct of combat actions with the use of nuclear
weapons will lead to a radical change in the nature and methods of conduct,
L_of the strategic operation; and it will require of the Supreme High
Command, and of formation commanders and staffs, greater creativity in
assesssing the situation so as not to let the moment pass and not to let
the enemy preempt us in actions.
(I- It will be necessary to opportunely prepare all the nuclear forces for
the delivery of a strike and th
to refine their tasks in e initial nuclear
strike.
It will also be necessary to refine the tasks of the formations and
large units and cooperation among them, and to carry out measures to
protect troops against enemy nuclear strikes. All this work will have to
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 C05995313
1 -TerS
Page 23 of 23 Pages
'formed in an extremely limited amount of time,
plummy may employ simultaneously all types of nuclear weapons,
ping strategic ones, or he may deliver a nuclear strike with definite
ations.
The military-political leadership of the US and the NATO bloc is
ins out different variants of nuclear escalation. In recent years, in
ly all the exercises of the NATO armed forces, there have been worked
variants of the start of war with the use of conventional weapons, and
!at a certain stage the sides go over to actions with limited
t of nuclear forces, and after a short time to the use of the
e nuclear arsenal.
II. With the beginning of limited use of nuclear weapons, the main
of conducting military actions ,by/Olpf_.arzesl..forcea_will., be the
very of. nuclear_ strikes chiefly to._4itstroy nuclear weapgns_and hit the
'ately opposing forces ofai*ny, and the conduct of an offensive
in -the walce-Of these strikes for the purpose of routing the enemy and
Caking a definite territory.
It is most likely that, under the conditions of the uncompromising
nature of a future world war, the ieriod o limited use o1iceaweapons
ii..- :id ? 111 : 1 . d be long. rhe
possi dility is not excluded that the first nuclear strikes even. with
means will automatically' liad....to...Unrin?iited...use....ok..nuclear weapons
with the enploym -of-airiiiidear forces.
?
I.02-SEelter
Approved for Release: 2017/06/14 005995313