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The Soviet Union deploys a Regimental Reconnaissance Company with every tank and motor rifle regiment, its make up is as follows:

Total Strength is 4-5 officers and 43-57 enlisted.
Equipment: 3 BMP-2/PT-76/or MBT, 9 BRDM-2s, 3-5 motorcycles, 1 GS-12 radar. Each BRDM has 1 LMG and 1 RPG-7 for dismounted use.

The Division Reconnaissance Battalion is organic to the tank and motor rifle divisions, is made of as follows:

Headquarters and Support Company: 9 officers, 40 enlisted men; 2 BRDM-2, 16 trucks, 1 motorcycle.

Tank Company: 4 officers, 31 enlisted men; one HQ IFV/tank, and two platoons of three BMP-2/PT-76/MBT

Reconnaissance Company: 5 officers, 63 enlisted men; with
HQ Section with 1 BRDM-2
2 or 3 Scout Car platoons, 6 BRDM-2 each
NBC Recon Platoon with 4 BRDM-rkh
Motorcycle platoon with 32 motorcycles

Long Range Reconnaissance Company: 6 officers, 27 enlisted men,

Radio Interception Company

The Long Range Reconnaissance Company typically operates from 50-350km in advance of the main body. They may be carried forward by BRDMs of the Reconnaissance Company or inserted via helicopter/parachute. Thye may operate in company strength or be dispersed into 5-man patrols. They are equipped with standard infantry firearms (fitted with noise suppressors), as well additional camouflage equipment and pioneer tools for constructing patrol hiding places.

Because the patrols are lightly armed, they seek to avoid direct contact with the enemy by dispersing and regrouping of by concealment. They are also equipped with long-range radios equipped for burst transmisson to avoid enemy ELINT.

The LRRPs are used to locate enemy nuclear weapons and delivery systems and then call-in air/artillery strikes. They may also conduct raids on headquarters or communications facilities or stage ambushes to capture prisoners/equipment. They may also kink up with airborne desants, in-place KGB agents or GRU intelligence troops to increase their striking power and report back information. But their primary mission is reconnaissance.

LRRPs are elite troops, their personnel receive better and more indepth training and conditioning than the average soldier.

The remaining units of the Division Recon Battalion operate roughly a day's march (35-50km) in front of the division, usually in small patrols of 2-4 scout cars and motorcycles, often reinforced by 1-2 BMPs/tanks. Patrols operate throughout the divisional sector, along the main axis of advance, on parallel routes and along the flanks.

Patrols will often move in pairs of vehicles, with one pair remaining in overwatch while the other pair moves forward and reporting back on enemy forces, terrain, road conditions and NBC contamination. Engineer squads are often attached to the patrol to recon and clear any obstacles discovered along the patrol's route. The battalion is often reinforced with a motor rifle company (and an attached platoon of tanks) from the advance guard battalion.

The Regimental Recon Company operates in a similar manner, roughly a half-day's march ahead of the regiment's main body.

On the defense, the recon patrols stay forward of the main defense line to report on the enemy axis of advance, but make no effort to engage. Screening and security duties are performed by detached motor rifle/tank companies

Unlike NATO, Soviet recon units are intended purely for scouting. THey do not have a screening/security mission. NATO units are strong, combined-arms force, able to fight their way forward for information, in strong contrast to the Soviet approach. This is reflected by Soviet recon vehicles, light, mobile and designed to cover long distances, quickly, and to depend on their speed and concealment for thier protection.

When a Soviet recon patrol discovers the enemy, it will return fire and then attempt to break contact, aided by the fire of any overwatching vehicles. It noramlly retires to the nearest cover and then report the encounter by visual signal, radio or by courier. The patrol will then attempt to infiltrate around the enemy forces and resume its mission. It only engges the enemy if they also appear to be a recon patrol of the if Soviets have the advantage.