49th Army

The 49th Army (49-я армия) of the Soviet Union's Red Army was an army-level command active during the Second World War.

On 6 August 1941, a Stavka directive ordered the formation of the 49th Army. One day later the army was formed as part of the Reserve Front, based on 35th Rifle Corps. The army initially comprised 194th Mountain Rifle Division, 220th, 248th, 298th Rifle Divisions, the 4th People's Militia Division, 396th Corps Artillery Regiment, and other units. By 17 August 1941 the army was deployed in the in the rear of the Western Front.

On 12 October 1941, under the command of Lieutenant General I. G. Zakharkin, The 49th Soviet Army was placed on the Mozhaisk defense line, which was credited for slowing down the German approach toward Moscow.

In 1990, there were three army corps in the North Caucasus Military District. The 42nd Army Corps at Vladikavkaz commanded the 19th Motor Rifle Division, and the 12th Army Corps at Krasnodar, commanded the 9th Motor Rifle Division. 12th Army Corps had been formed in unclear circumstances after the end of the Second World War, possibly from part of 45th Army. By 1 January 1993, the 12th Army Corps had become the 49th Army. 49th Army was then later redesignated 67th Army Corps.

After the 2008 Russian military reforms, 49th Army was formed as part of the Southern Military District, headquartered at Stavropol. Its headquarters was seemingly established in the former Institute of Communications of the Strategic Rocket Forces at Stavropol. Major General Sergey Kuralenko was appointed commander by a decree of January 9, 2011, with Major General Viktor Astapova first deputy commander.

According to warfare.ru, 49th Army (listed at Stavropol/Maikop) has under control the 4th Guards and 7th Military Bases (South Ossetia and Abkhazia) and the 8th (former Taman Guards Motor Rifle Division), 33rd and 34th separate Mountain Motor Rifle Brigades (Borzoi, Chechniya, Maikop, and Storozhevaya-2), as well as the 66th Communications Brigade.