According to the Ukrainian underground, a new unit called “BARS-Sarmat” is being formed in the TOT of Zaporizhzhia region to test new Russian technical developments in combat conditions.
What is known about this unit? The prefix “BARS” stands for “Combat Army Reserve of the Country,” which indicates the specifics of its formation. The Russian Defense Ministry began working on the creation of this system in 2021. This is a kind of “mobilization reserve” that is recruited from peacetime paramilitary formations. Specifically, in this case, from specialists in the field of electronics, communications, robotics, programming, cybersecurity and UAV development.
The name “Sarmat” directly refers to the head of the unit, Dmitry Rogozin, the former head of “Roscosmos” and his ego. After being dismissed from the post of chief space explorer for the lack of any positive achievements in this area, Rogozin was out of office for a long time. In November 2022, according to him, he headed a group of military advisers that provided military and technical assistance to the 1st and 2nd army corps formed by the Russians in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. He represented this group, which allegedly consisted of volunteers, under the name “Tsar’s Wolves”. Shortly after, on December 21, he was wounded in occupied Donetsk, where he was celebrating his birthday.
After such a PR stunt, he was not returned to high offices in Moscow, but was appointed only as a senator from Zaporizhzhia region in the Federation Council. Nevertheless, Rogozin has not given up trying to return to the cluster of “Russian high technologies” where he was so successful in increasing his wealth.
Thus, as the head of the “BARS-Sarmat” unit, Rogozin intends to test promising models of UAVs, robotic systems, SIGINT/EWS/CBF systems, control and communication equipment. It is stated that the unit promptly communicates with developers, who must immediately make improvements to the projects. In his opinion, this will ensure that he returns to the level of influence and control over financial flows that he previously had when he headed Roscosmos.
It is also known that in this case, the Russians relied on private enterprises rather than state-owned concerns. In this way, Rogozin plans to form a circle of promising developers, contracts with whom he will lobby the Russian Ministry of Defense, receiving his share for mediation.
Such specialists stand out significantly from the Russian military. And no matter how hard the Russians try to limit their contacts with civilians, they cannot hide from the Ukrainian underground.The National Resistance Centre calls for reporting collaborators so that each of them does not escape punishment for crimes against humanity. Anyone can stop the policy of the Russian invaders and their collaborators by publicizing their crimes and demanding their international prosecution. You can also participate in rallies in support of Ukraine or donate to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
