"This, combined with Russia's pattern of invading a country and deposing its leadership, makes it critical for vulnerable countries to take measures to counter the threat. "Russia may have its hands full in Ukraine right now, but adequately preparing for Russia's invasion playbook takes time," the essay said. But that's easier said than done for small nations with small militaries. Given that seizing airports has worked for Russia in the past, it's reasonable to assume the Kremlin will use similar methods against other potential targets, such as the Baltic States, Moldova or Georgia. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP Photo Russian soldiers take their position upon their landing at an unspecified location in Ukraine in this image released on Dec. At Sevastopol, Spetznaz units (the notorious "little green men" in unmarked uniforms) seized two airfields in a mostly bloodless operation. The Kabul attack, which aimed to topple Afghan president Hafizullah Amin, was bloodier: Hundreds of Afghans, as well as KGB and Spetznaz commandos, died during an assault on the presidential palace that ended with Russian troops killing Amin. The Prague attack helped Warsaw Pact forces to occupy Czechoslovakia with minimal fighting and casualties. However, other Russian airport takedowns have been largely successful. The 2022 Kyiv air assault was a fiasco : air strikes failed to suppress Ukrainian air defenses that shot down numerous helicopters, close air support for the airhead was lacking, and Ukrainian forces quickly counterattacked the 300 beleaguered paratroopers. A Russian brigade typically numbers about 4,000 paratroops. The airport invasion force typically comprises a "special forces detachment to achieve surprise, followed with a battalion-sized element to pave the way for at least a brigade to follow on," Stringer, a retired US Army colonel, told Business Insider. "Positioning conventional forces on the borders of the targeted country to amplify political pressure and organize for invasion infiltrating special operations (Spetsnaz) units to prepare and spearhead the incursion seizing a strategic airport through airborne units and airlanding additional assault troops to secure the battlespace and decapitate the national government in conjunction with the already inserted special operations units." Russian operations follow a typical sequence, according to the essay. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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