The article focuses on the major military formations of the 49th Army—brigades, their locations, and affiliated military facilities. Majority of the relevant publicly accessible satellite images are dated circa 2022-2023. The military equipment found on these military bases have been actively utilized in a full-scale war waged by Russia in Ukraine. It has been frequently reported that the Russian army has been experiencing major shortages of heavy armored vehicles, APCs, and other equipment. Therefore, the combat equipment displayed in publicly available satellite imagery does not accurately represent the current situation.
It should also be noted that the military units subordinating the Southern Military District often share common military bases, facilities, and ranges/training grounds. For instance, the headquarters of the 8th Army of the Southern Military District is located in Novocherkask, where part of the 33rd Brigade of the 49th Army is also stationed. Furthermore, for example, the military servicemen from various brigades are transferred to the 7th Military Base in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia. The 99th brigade is based in Maikop, where the military facilities of the city are also shared by 227th and 33rd brigades. The Mozdok airbase is used by several units of the 49th Army along with the 58th Army.
Southern Military District
Following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the Russian Federation launched a large-scale reform of its armed forces. The reform was meant to draw on the lessons learned from the two Russo-Chechen Wars and, particularly, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. The 2008 conflict exposed shortcomings within the Russian military, ranging from strategic planning to operational command and control.
The 2010 decree issued by the president of the Russian Federation abolished the North Caucasus Military District and established the Southern Military District in its stead. The same year, in accordance with the directives signed by the Russian Minister of Defense and within the scope of the overall reform, the 49th Combined Arms Army was formed on the basis of the 49th Army of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union and incorporated into the newly established Southern Military District.
In parallel with the full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian military has been undergoing a new wave of reform since 2023, which has involved significant structural changes within the armed forces. In 2024, following an order issued by Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – occupied and subsequently annexed by Russia were incorporated into the Southern Military District, while occupied Crimea has been subordinated to the Southern Military District since 2014. In addition, by Putin’s order, the Western Military District was dissolved and substituted by the Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts.
As part of the ongoing reform, the Southern Military District has been expanded to include new ground force formations, including the additional armies established after 2014. The Russian Ministry of Defense has removed the latest information regarding the structure and composition of the military districts from its official website, mil.ru. However, based on the most recent publicly available data, the Southern Military District is made up of the following formations:
- 3rd Combined Arms Army (Created in 2024 – Luhansk);
- 8th Combined Arms Army;
- 18th Combined Arms Army (Created in 2023 – Crimea);
- 49th Combined Arms Army;
- 7th Military Base in occupied Abkhazia;
- 51st Combined Arms Army (Created in 2024 – Donetsk);
- 58th Combined Arms Army;
- 4th Military Base in the occupied Tskhinvali region;
- 102nd Military Base in Armenia;
- 7th Airborne Division (Part of Russia’s Airborne Forces);
- 10th Separate Brigade;
- 22nd Separate Brigade;
- 346th Separate Brigade;
- Separate brigades of command; communications; radiological, chemical, and biological defense; electronic warfare; and railway.
Russia’s military districts as of the latest military reform. Including the newly formed Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts.
Source: mil.ru
Commanders of the 49th Army
The current commander of the 49th Army is Mikhail Kosobokov (full name in Russian: Кособоков Михаил Евгеньевич). Mikhail Kosobokov was born on October 11, 1974 in Ryazan, Ryazan Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. In 1994-1999, he studied at the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School. In 2019, he graduated from the Combined Arms Academy of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He participated in the Second Russo-Chechen War, and in 2008, fought in Georgia as a commander of an airborne battalion. He also participated in Russia’s military operation in Syria, and has been involved in Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine since 2022.
In 2013-2014 Kosobokov was a brigade commander. In 2014-2017, he commanded Russia’s 7th Military Base in occupied Abkhazia. In 2020 he served in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine and later, in 2021, briefly served as a deputy-commander of the 58th Army. In 2023 he was awarded the rank of lieutenant-general by Vladimir Putin and subsequently he was put in charge of the 49th Army.
Prior to Kosobokov the position was held by the following individuals:
- Iakov Rezantsev, 2020-2023
- Mikhail Zusko, 2019-2020
- Sergei Sevriukov, 2014-2019
- Viktor Astapov, 2012-2013
- Sergei Kuralenko, 2011-2012
49th Army Personnel and Military Infrastructure
According to various publicly accessible materials and sources the 49th Army, allegedly, consists of 8 brigades, 2 separate regiments, and 1 separate battalion. The 49th Army also incorporates military bases, including the 7th Military Base in occupied Abkhazia, facilities, and training grounds and ranges. The Russian army units deployed in occupied Abkhazia and the so-called Abkhazian armed forces share the training grounds.
49th Army Headquarters
The 49th Army headquarters with military unit No. 05525 is based in the city of Stavropol. The building was previously occupied by the Military Communications Institute of the Russian Rocket Forces. The facility is surrounded by a stadium, a medical university, Stavropol local government buildings, etc.
49th Army Headquarters in Stavropol.
Coordinates: 45°02’29.5″N 41°58’02.0″E
Source: Google Earth
66th Control Brigade
66th Control Brigade, with the military unit No. 41600 (full designation in Russian: 66-я Одесская Краснознамённая, ордена Александра Невского бригада управления), is stationed in the city of Stavropol. Its training units, along with the army’s command, occupy the former building of the Military Communications Institute of the Russian Rocket Forces, while the brigade’s primary deployment area is located to the southwest of Stavropol.
The 66th Brigade was formed in 2010 as part of the Russian Armed Forces’ reform and consists of units responsible for communications, logistics, and security functions. Soldiers assigned to this brigade are stationed not only in Stavropol, but also at the Russian 7th Military Base in the occupied region of Abkhazia, as well as at a Russian base in Armenia. In 2018, it was reported that units from the 66th Brigade participated in the annexation of Crimea.
66th Control Brigade base southwest of Stavropol.
Coordinates: 44°57’27.1″N 41°51’39.8″E
Source: Google Earth
A military base located in Stavropol, which, among others, is utilized by the 66th brigade. The base maintains a vehicle pool primarily consisting of transport vehicles and light armored equipment, the majority of which are stored in a non-operational state.
Coordinates: 45°02’57.2″N 41°55’16.5″E
Source: Google Earth
205th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade
The 205th Brigade, with military unit No. 74814 (full designation in Russian: 205-я отдельная гвардейская мотострелковая казачья бригада), is based in the Russian city of Budyonnovsk. According to publicly available information, the motorized rifle brigade includes assault, tank, artillery, and rocket battalions. Additionally, it has a UAV company, a reconnaissance company, and a radio-electronic warfare company. The brigade was formed in 1995 and, following the reform of the armed forces, was subordinated to the 49th Army of the Southern Military District.
The 205th Brigade base in Budyonnovsk. The base was full of military heavy equipment and vehicles until 2022. As of 2025, it has been nearly completely emptied out.
Coordinates: 44°48’55.9″N 44°11’49.9″E
Source: Google Earth
34th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Mountain Brigade
The 34th Mountain Brigade, with military unit No. 01485 (full designation in Russian: 34-я гвардейская отдельная горная мотострелковая бригада), was formed in 2003 within the 58th Army of the North Caucasus Military District. After the reform of the army, in 2010, it was incorporated into the 49th Army of the Southern Military District. The brigade is based on the territory of the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic of the Russian Federation and is designated as a mountain brigade.
The designation “mountain” derives from its primary purpose – the brigade specializes in carrying out combat tasks in mountainous, forested, and rocky terrains. The brigade does not incorporate tank or rocket battalions. Soldiers serving at this unit undergo training in horse riding and mountaineering in the northern Caucasus mountains. The 34th Mountain Brigade is the only brigade in the Russian Army that regularly utilizes horses as means of transportation and cargo delivery (about 50 horses according to different sources).
The 34th Mountain Brigade was deployed in the Kherson sector of the frontline in Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022. From 2023 to 2024, it was part of the “Dnepr” group of the Russian Armed Forces and operated on the front lines in the Zaporizhzhia sector. In early 2025, its units were transferred to the Kursk direction. The brigade has suffered critical losses in the full-scale war. In 2024, Russian President Putin awarded the brigade the honorary title of “Guards” (Russian: гвардейская) for the displayed “heroism, courage, endurance, and bravery of its soldiers in combat for the defense of the homeland.”
According to one of the sources, the soldiers of the 34th Brigade were stationed near the Marukhi Pass (a mountain trail connecting northern Abkhazia, Georgia to Russia) in 2008, however, none of the available sources confirm their direct involvement in the hostilities between Russia and Georgia.
The brigade is primarily based in Karachay-Cherkessia, on the territory of the Storozhevaya-2 military facility. Military exercises take place at the Kobu Bashi range (coordinates: 43°56’56.3″N 41°19’06.7″E) and at the training grounds located south of Storozhevaya. There is a radar complex southwest of the base.
The 34th Brigade base – Storozhevaya-2. There is a military town north of the base that accommodates the officers and their family members.
Coordinates: 43°48’34″N 41°23’11″E
Source: Google Earth
Training grounds located south of the 34th Brigade base.
Coordinates: 43°45’49″N 41°19’02″E
Source: Google Earth
A radar facility south of Storozhevaya-2.
Coordinates: 43°43’05″N 41°13’38″E
Source: Google Earth
33rd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade
The 33rd Brigade, with military unit No. 22179 (full designation in Russian: 33-я отдельная мотострелковая бригада ‘горная’), was formed in 2005 in Dagestan, Russia, as part of the North Caucasus Military District. After the 2011 reform, it was incorporated into the 49th Army of the Southern Military District, and based in the city of Maykop. In 2008, units of the brigade participated in the Russo-Georgia war. Briefly in 2009, the 33rd Brigade was also stationed in the Russian-occupied territory of Abkhazia.
The brigade includes two mountain motorized rifle battalions, a reconnaissance battalion, an artillery unit, and several technical-purpose companies. Besides Maikop, a significant part of the brigade is located in Novocherkassk, in the Rostov oblast. In addition to the main military areas listed below, military facilities in Novocherkassk are located at the following coordinates: 1. 47°25’15.1″N 40°04’22.1″E; 2. 47°24’36.5″N 40°04’09.9″E; 3. 47°34’03.4″N 40°07’43.8″E; 4. 44°40’49.8″N 40°01’37.9″E; 5. 44°34’22.1″N 40°07’53.4″E.
One of the most formidable training grounds of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces is situated near Novocherkassk. The brigade’s servicemen undergo training at this range. Up until 2022, there was a significant mobilization of equipment at the military facilities and unit areas in Maikop and Novocherkassk, however, as of 2025, similar to many others, these sites are largely emptied.
Military area northeast of Novocherkassk, which, among other units, is utilized by the 33rd Brigade.
Coordinates: 47°31’26″N 40°09’52″E
Source: Google Earth
1st Guards Rocket Brigade
The 1st Rocket Brigade with military No. 31853 (full designation in Russian: 1-я гвардейская Оршанская ракетная орденов Суворова и Кутузова бригада) is based west of the village of Molkino in Krasnodar Oblast. The brigade includes three rocket regiments, one rocket-technical, and several technical and other specialized units. The main exercise facility of the 1st Rocket Brigade is located near the village of Molkino in Krasnodar Oblast.
Military base next to Molkino village and the combined-arms training facility No. 243 located north of it.
Coordinates: 44°47’58″N 39°12’33″E
Source: Google Earth
90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade
The 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade with military unit No. 54821 (full designation in Russian: 90-я зенитная ракетная ордена Суворова бригада) is a tactical air defense unit of the 49th Army. The brigade’s base has repeatedly become a target for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In 2025, it was reported that the 90th brigade’s base near Afipsky had been targeted in February and August. The brigade’s personnel undergo training at the Kapustin Yar training area in Astrakhan Oblast.
The base and the airfield of the 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade in Afipsky.
Coordinates: 44°51’27.9″N 38°49’31.1″E
Source: Google Earth
Air defense academy in Orenburg, Russia.
Coordinates: 51°46’35.1″N 55°07’26.1″E
Source: Google Earth
227th Guards Artillery Brigade
The 227th Brigade with military unit No. 13714 (full designation in Russian: 227-я гвардейская Таллинская Краснознаменная ордена Суворова артиллерийская бригада) was established in its present form in 2016. The brigade became a part of the 49th Army of the Southern Military District during the reform of the Russian Armed Forces. Its predecessor military unit, which the brigade was founded on, participated in both Russo-Chechen Wars. The brigade is actively involved in the ongoing full-scale invasion in Ukraine. For its “exceptional” contribution to combat operations, and in fact, due to heavy losses, the brigade was awarded the honorary title of “Guards” by Vladimir Putin in 2025.
Military base located in the forest southwest of Maikop.
Coordinates: 44°31’47″N 40°00’48″E
Source: Google Earth
99th Brigade
The 99th Material and Technical (Logistics) Support Brigade with military unit No. 72153 (full Designation in Russian: 99-я отдельная бригада материально-технического обеспечения) subordinates the 49th Army of the Southern Military District. It has been confirmed that the brigade’s units participated in Russia’s annexation of Crimea. In 2015, the units were also present in Donbas. The brigade’s main portion is based in Adygea, Russia, in the city of Maikop.
Russian 7th Military Base and Facilities in Occupied Abkhazia
The 7th Military Base of the 49th Army of the Southern Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, military unit No. 09332 (full designation in Russian: 7-я Краснодарская Краснознамённая орденов Жукова, Кутузова и Красной Звезды военная база), was established in 2009 following an agreement signed by the de facto President of Abkhazia, Sergei Bagapsh, and the then-President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev.
According to the 2009 agreement, the following territories of the occupied Abkhazia region were allocated for the deployment of the Russian Armed Forces: Military Towns #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 – Gudauta; Military Town “Gumanista” – Eshera; Military Town – Village of Nagvalou (Ochamchire District); Air Defense Technical Positions – Agudzera, Babushara, Bomboda, and Primorskoe; Aviation Command Post – Babushara; Naval-Military Fleet Material-Technical Support Post – Ochamchire, and its territorial waters; Military Sanatoriums – Sokhumi, Gagra, and Gudauta.
On May 23, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a document amending the 2009 agreement concerning the Russian base in Abkhazia. As a result, the military sanatoriums located in Sukhumi were removed from the list of deployment sites of the Russian base, introducing a connections (communications) facility instead. The Open-source data confirms that, following this agreement, Russia also constructed military infrastructure at additional, previously undisclosed locations.
You will find a comprehensive report on Russia’s 7th military base and infrastructure in the following article – Russia’s 7th Military Base in Occupied Abkhazia: What We Should Know.