Ideal way for USSR to wage limited war

[Monk78]

What is the ideal way for USSR to conduct a non-nuclear war against non-NATO neighbors during the Cold War ?
Let’s ignore the political ramifications of such an act and in this thread just focus on the military aspects of it
Potential candidates include china , Japan , Pakistan , Iran , Finland , Sweden and Afghanistan

Assume these countries are all stable and have functioning militaries

Objectives for USSR
1 degrade the military capabilities of its enemy as much as possible
2 hold some border territories for bargaining

Full scale invasion not required

How would such an operation look like ?

 

[CalBear]

Well, they did fight a limited war against China in 1969 and occupied Afghanistan a decade later, so those tactics are well established. Korea and Japan are non-starters since they both have mutual defense treaties with the U.S. (including the presence of noteworthy U.S. forces in both countries).

Finland and Sweden, while being outside the NATO umbrella, would likely be a significant tripwire far any Soviet/NATO confrontation (not much reason for the Soviets to have a go at either country u8nless the goal is to put increased pressure on NATO's northern flank).

 

[Monk78]

Well, they did fight a limited war against China in 1969 and occupied Afghanistan a decade later, so those tactics are well established. Korea and Japan are non-starters since they both have mutual defense treaties with the U.S. (including the presence of noteworthy U.S. forces in both countries).

Finland and Sweden, while being outside the NATO umbrella, would likely be a significant tripwire far any Soviet/NATO confrontation (not much reason for the Soviets to have a go at either country u8nless the goal is to put increased pressure on NATO's northern flank).

These are all valid points politically

As far as military aspects are concerned, again 1969 war comes closest to this timeline. Afghanistan ceased to a functional state very quickly that is a little different from this scenario

Some points I would raise about most effective use of their resources

1 keep campaigns short ( just a few days ) this avoids too much logistical strain
2 limit advance to under 100 miles ( so it can be easily covered by aircraft based inside USSR , also less wear and tear on mechanized units )
3 liberal use of indiscriminate firepower ( to compensate lack of PGMs)
4 use of second rate troops in first assault ( they will soak up most of the damage and save their best units for mopping up operations or as credible deterrent when ceasefire happens )
5 offensive air operations would probably should be limited to offensive counter air against enemy airfields to mimimize losses , Soviet army has enough organic fire support.

 

[Monk78]

Ideally such a limited offensive could be against

Iran in the 80s around Caspian region
Pakistan to punish them for supporting afghan rebels
Border clashes with PRC

 

[Sam R.]

Based off Poland Hungary Czechoslovakia and Poland the Soviet Union could have tried invading one of the Koreas.

 

[GlobalHumanism]

Not many places for them to go...
They already had all of eastern Europe

 

[Hrvatskiwi]

The Iran scenario is quite compelling. I know that realistically the US wouldn't like it, but lets say that you end up with a scenario where the Islamic Republic of Iran kills the hostages and the US cant really openly oppose a Soviet invasion politically due to publix opinion?

 

[Two fingers awry]

Based off Poland Hungary Czechoslovakia and Poland the Soviet Union could have tried invading one of the Koreas.

Why ! Invade the north you fight a massively equipped army invade the south you take on the US both are not quick decisive campaigns

 

[aaronupright]

What is the ideal way for USSR to conduct a non-nuclear war against non-NATO neighbors during the Cold War ?
Let’s ignore the political ramifications of such an act and in this thread just focus on the military aspects of it
Potential candidates include

china ,

Nope

Japan ,

If they really want to fight the Americans, they can do it in Europe

Pakistan ,

Which year? Post 1979 nukes become a rather big issue

Iran ,

Maybe

Finland ,

Ha

Sweden

Hahaha

and Afghanistan

So OTL?

Assume these countries are all stable and have functioning militaries

Well thats one good way to ensure a bloodbath and CCCP Politburo saying "nyet"

Objectives for USSR
1 degrade the military capabilities of its enemy as much as possible

Just bomb em

2 hold some border territories for bargaining

Bargain for what exactly?

Full scale invasion not required

Spoilsport.

How would such an operation look like ?

 

[Monk78]

Nope

If they really want to fight the Americans, they can do it in Europe

Which year? Post 1979 nukes become a rather big issue

Maybe

Ha

Hahaha

So OTL?

Well thats one good way to ensure a bloodbath and CCCP Politburo saying "nyet"

Just bomb em

Bargain for what exactly?

Spoilsport.

Why not PRC ? Happened smaller scale in 69
No not US just want to fight Japanese
Yes early 80s , will Pakistan risk a nuclear exchange just because USSR holds some border areas ?
Yes but air bombardment is not enough VVS is not AS capable as USAF , ground forces are needed to make it look serious
Depends , bargain for border country to end its hostile attitude and indirect aggression against USSR like Pakistan housing terrorists or Iran exporting its revolution or Japan trying to take back kurils
No no not starting ww3

 

[Monk78]

Not many places for them to go...
They already had all of eastern Europe

Maybe Albania via Yugoslavia?

 

[EasternRomanEmpire]

Maybe Albania via Yugoslavia?

Tito would refuse probably, he was trying to make the Non-Aligned Movement, if he lets Soviet troops pass trough his borders to invade another country it would discredit all of his diplomatic efforts.