The Soviet Union fielded a new model of armored personnel carrier (APC) every decade since the late 1950s, and in 1967 it deployed the world's first infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Similar to an APC, the tactically innovative IFV had much greater firepower, in the form of a 73mm main gun, an antitank missile launcher, a heavy machine gun, and firing ports that allowed troops to fire their individual weapons from inside the vehicle. In 1989 the Soviet Union had an inventory of over 65,000 APCs and IFVs, with the latter accounting for almost half of this inventory.

 

The German and Soviet battle for Stalingrad in late 1942 and into early 1943 illustrates how a tactical urban area defense integrates into a larger mobile defense. An encirclement requires an initial penetration of the enemy defense, exploitation of success, and subsequent link up of the exploitation forces to complete the circle. The Soviets set the conditions for a mobile defense by positioning powerful Soviet armor forces in open terrain outside the urban area against quantitatively inferior German allied forces. In OPERATION URANUS, the mobile defense's strike force destroyed the enemy outside the urban area and trapped the greater part of the best enemy formations inside the urban area. In Operation URANUS the Red Army relied heavily upon its tank forces. However, it is significant that URANUS saw the first employment of the new mechanized corps, containing three mechanized brigades and a tank brigade. This represented a more balanced approach to the force structure, and one that exhibited a better distribution of mechanized infantry able to operate effectively with armor.

Armored personnel carriers or infantry fighting vehicles are either tracked or wheeled vehicles that are designed to transport soldiers to the battlefield and support them with a range of weaponry including heavy machine guns, guns, and anti rockets. They differ significantly in design from "armored cars". During World War II, "half-track" vehicles were widely used. However, by the late 1960's, half-track vehicles became obsolete and were replaced by more efficiently designed tracked and road-wheel type vehicles.

After World War II, the Soviet Union began to mechanize their entire army. Infantry began to ride in armored personnel carriers. The first carrier was a six-wheeled armored truck that entered service in 1950. It was open-topped, lightly armored, sluggish, and had limited cross-country mobility. The BTR-152A eventually carried dual-mounted 14.5mm heavy machine guns - though more for antiaircraft fire than for tank support. Production of the BTR-152 series ceased in 1959.

In 1959, the Soviets decided to develop two types of infantry personnel carriers: tracked infantry fighting vehicles that would serve in tank divisions and cheaper wheeled armored infantry personnel carriers that would serve in the more numerous motorized rifle divisions. The tracked chassis of the BMP offered better mobility and a better chance to keep up with the tanks. However, the tracked vehicles were more expensive to produce, operate, and maintain.

The BMP was designed to serve as more than a mere battle taxi. Its armor protected the crew and infantry from bullets and radiation and its armaments and firing ports effectively without dismounting the infantry squad. The BMP allowed the tanks and mechanized infantry to function as a mutually supporting team. There were three main types of Soviet BMP produced between 1966 and 1991. The basic BMP-1 is armed with a 73mm low-pressure cannon, an AT-3 Sagger antitank guided missile launch rail, and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. It has a one-man turret and all weapons can be reloaded from inside the vehicle. The BMP-2 entered service in 1980. The basic model has a two-man turret and is armed with a 30mm automatic cannon, a 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun, and a launch rail for either the AT-4 Spigot or AT-5 Spandrel antitank missiles. The BMP-3 entered service in 1987 and has a 30mm automatic cannon, a 100mm cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and two 7.62mm bow-mounted machine guns. The BMP-2 and BMP-3 have a significant antiaircraft capability against helicopters and low-flying, fixed-wing aircraft.

After the Soviet tank divisions were equipped with the BMP, the Soviets examined the composition of their motorized rifle divisions. The wheeled BTR infantry personnel carriers were lightly armored and only carried a 14.5mm heavy machine gun. Clearly, they were not the optimum vehicles to fight in coordination with tanks, and each motorized rifle division had a regiment of tanks. To upgrade the capability of the motorized rifle division, each division was re-equipped so that one of the three motorized rifle regiments had BMPs in lieu of BTRs. The tanks and BMPs always fought together on the main attack. Self-propelled artillery and self-propelled antiaircraft weapons, such as the ZSU 23-4, accompanied the tanks and BMPs to provide a lethal, integrated combat team where each system provided mutual support.

Lightly armored vehicles (LAVs) are intended for a wide range of combat missions and engagement of a variety of targets. Along with a necessity to transport the assault landing groups and weight limitations, this determines specific requirements to the armament. However, a wide variety of missions can not be accomplished by a single weapon type. This accounts for equipping the LAVs with complex armament: 20-30 mm cannons and guided weapon systems (Russian BMP-2 and Bradley, USA).

Being a developer of weapon systems for BMP-1, BMP-2 and BMP-3, KBP is a world leading company in the sphere of LAVs armament, offering various in terms of weight and weapon composition combat modules based on a uniform day-night fire control system. The automatic fire control system ensures high-precision day and night firing with all types of ammunition, including the newly developed ones, both from stationary position, and on the move. Further development of BMP-3 product line resulted in the "Bakcha" combat module created by KBP and weighing 3.2-4.0 tons, designed for installation on the 13 tons or heavier vehicles (BMP-3, BMD-3). The combat module is equipped with satellite navigation system, allowing for firing from indirect firing positions.

The guided missile of increased lethality with tandem warhead and firing range up to 5.5 km effectively engages armored and soft-skinned ground and low-altitude targets. The 100 mm HEF projectiles of increased lethality with precise ballistics successively engage personnel armed with anti-tank weapons, as well as materiel and fortifications by direct and indirect firing from the range up to 7.0 km. The 30-mm automatic gun ammunition can effectively engage lightly armored and soft-skinned vehicles, air targets. Due to such composition of the weapon system the motorised infantry and landing troops can act in combat missions without employing artillery and tanks.

The combination of gun projectiles' flat trajectory and lofted trajectory of grenade launcher serves for successful engagement of personnel armed with anti-tank weapons, soft-skinned vehicles. Armored targets are engaged with a single launch of Kornet-E ATGM within the range up to 5.5 km.

 

is a military branch of service of the Russian Military, on par with the Strategic Rocket Forces and the Russian Space Forces. The word desánt, as used in the Vozdushno-Desantnye Vojska, is a borrowing of the French descente (‘debarkation’ or ‘landing’). The airborne, air-assault, and amphibious troops of all services are referred to as desantniki, which literally means ‘those who land’.

 

In every respect, the VDV’s institutional power exceeded that of any foreign airborne force and compared favorably with the Marines’ status in the United States. By the end of the Cold War, there were thirteen formations in the world that can be called airborne divisions. The U.S., West Germany, France, China and Poland each had one. The remaining eight belonged to the Soviet Union. at the end of World War II, outstanding American successes in airborne assaults had been accomplished by a mere five airborne divisions, which were soon whittle down to on [the 82nd, the 101st being "airmobile" with helicopters]. By 2015, with four airborne divisions and many separate brigades, Russia retained a larger force than the rest of the world combined [a similar claim may be made for the US Marine Corps].

Of all great powers, the Soviet Union’s record of airborne operations during the Great Patriotic War was so disastrous that rational calculations should have led the High Command to abolish airborne forces. Having begun the Second World War with the world’s largest (10 divisions) airborne force, Soviet generals naturally expected paratroopers to contribute substantially to Red Army operations. However, Soviet airborne operations were particularly unsuccessful. All of the Soviet Union’s three large-scale operations failed catastrophically and the vast majority (75 percent) of participating paratroopers were either killed or wounded.

The Airborne Forces, the highly mobile Arm of the RF Armed Forces, are designed to cover the enemy in the air and conduct combat operations in its rear. The Russian Airborne Forces are the means of the Supreme High Command of the RF Armed Forces and may form the basis for mobile forces. The Airborne Forces report directly to the Commander of the Airborne Forces and consist of the airborne divisions, brigades, units and facilities.

Because of the critical role that pre-war planners hoped paratroops would play, they endowed airborne forces with a special airborne administration, the Vozdushno-Desantnaya Voyska. In an effort to find solutions to the problems of employment, the Soviets switched control of the airborne forces from one command organization to another and increased the available firepower. In 1946, command of the airborne was switched from the Air Forces to the Ministry of Defense, in 1956 to the Soviet Ground Forces, and finally in 1964, back to the Ministry of Defense. Subordinated directly to the Soviet High Command, the VDV enjoyed the status of a separate service, rather than a mere branch of the army or air force.

In the early 1960's airborne units began to practice moving into areas that had just been hit (simulated) by nuclear weapons. The Soviets considered airborne landing forces the sole means for taking immediate advantage of results obtained with nuclear strikes against an enemy.

Marc R. DeVore argues that "Unable to airdrop more than a single division and probably incapable of penetrating NATO airspace, Soviet airborne operations were even less feasible in the 1980s than they had been prior to the VDV’s creation of mechanized airborne divisions. In fact, the VDV’s flair for innovation only solved the narrow problem of giving airborne forces more firepower, but ignored the broader issue of whether mass paratroop combat drops were even possible in high-intensity wars. In this context, the institutional autonomy accorded the VDV produced a sort of bounded rationality whereby the strength and inventiveness of airborne forces was maximized, but the transcendent question of what role these forces would play lay unexamined. As a failed innovation, airborne forces not only soldiered on, but innovatively pursued their organizational essence at great cost to the Soviet Union and the rest of its armed forces."

The mission of the Airborne Assault Troops is to make possible a quick response to national emergencies. The airborne troops are considered an elite force because they are individually selected from volunteers based on physical fitness, intelligence, and loyalty. By traditional military standards, the airborne troops are not a powerful force. Each division is assigned about 6,000 lightly armed troops with lightly armored vehicles. Their value is that they have special training and have operational and strategic mobility provided by long-range aircraft. Their parachute assault capability means that they can be deployed anywhere within airlift range in a matter of hours without the need for an air base in friendly hands. However, resupply and support by heavy ground troop formations are necessary in a matter of days because the airborne troops lack the self-sustaining combat and logistical power of regular ground forces.

As of 1995 the core goal of the Russian Army was to establish a mobile force with two main elements: the Immediate Reaction Force and the Rapid Deployment Force. The Immediate Reaction Force was composed of mostly the VDV. In contrast, the Rapid Deployment Forces were the heavy portion, based on tanks, motorized rifle, and heavy artillery.

During the Cold War each Soviet Airborne Division normally comprised nearly 8500 men, including artillery and combat support elements. Since 1930, the Soviet Army maintained the world's largest airborne force. As of 1980 the USSR was believed to have eight active-duty airborne divisions. Today's Russian airborne is still the world's largest. As of 2003, the Russian Army had four airborne divisions, and three independent airborne brigades. Each division is assigned about 6,000 lightly armed troops with lightly armored vehicles. Their value is operational and strategic mobility provided by long-range aircraft in a matter of hours.

The Soviet Union was the first state to constitute airborne forces, the first to drop airborne forces into battle, the first to include a major airborne drop in a major field exercise, and the first to totally mechanize its airborne forces. Yet, when Westerners think of the great airborne operations of history, they think of the German drops on Crete and Fort Eban Emael, the Anglo-American drops at Normandy and Eindhoeven-Nijmegan-Arnhem and the American drop at Corregidor. The large Soviet airborne operations are largely unknown or ignored in the West.

While problem areas in training and support of airborne units did exist, the Soviet Union possessed a considerable potential to employ airborne forces in a variety of missions. Soviet military doctrine stressed the primacy of offensive operations aimed at stunning and preventing organized resistance by opponents. While the offensive role of Soviet airborne forces was of paramount importance, defensive antiarmor operations and associated problems in forces training and employment remained issues of continued close interest and concern.

The Blue Berets of the airborne played a political role of praetorian guards and imperial storm troopers as they squashed rebellions in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, invaded and fought for ten years in Afghanistan and then returned home to counter the civil turmoil unleashed by Gorbachev's perestroika. In Afghanistan in 1979, as in Czechoslovakia in 1968, the Soviets used the surprise landing of airborne units at strategic centers, particularly around the capital, in conjunction with the speedy movement of ground units along strategic routes toward vital centers to gain the initiative.

The airborne's political role of praetorian guards and imperial storm troopers evolved as they squashed rebellions in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, invaded and fought for ten years in Afghanistan and then returned home to counter the civil turmoil unleashed by Gorbachev's perestroika.

The VDV participated in the rapid deployment of Russian forces stationed in Bosnian city Ugljevik, in and around Pristina airport during the Kosovo War. Streaming into Kosovo's capital, NATO found itself face-to-face with the Russian troops. American officials did, for their own reasons, publicly downplayed the significance of the confrontation, but it is impossible to deny that, this event points dramatically to an exacerbation of tensions between the major powers. About 370 Russian paratroopers in BTR-80 armored personnel carriers prevented the US from seizing control of Kosovo's key airport.

When the motherland calls, the VDV answers! VDV units were some of the first elements of the Russian retaliation in South Ossetia against Georgia In August 2008, the VDV troops participated in an operation to force Georgia to peace, acting in the Ossetian and Abkhazian directions. In particular, the two VDV divisions- 98th Ivanovo Guards Airborne Division, which in May of the same year was named the best in the winter training period, and the 31-th separate Ulyanovsk Guards Air Assault Brigade, which is part of the collective forces of operative response of the Collective Security Treaty (CSTO CFOR), were brought to the operation on the border with Georgia. The 76th "Chernigov" Airborne, and 98th "Ivanovo" Airborne division's took place in the liberation of Tskhinvalli and eventually pushed into Georgia itself, defeating every line of opposition until Georgia finally surrendered days later.

The troops retain the status of a reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Generally, their mission is to protect the interests of Russia and lives of its citizens both within and outside the country. The airborne troops fulfill their objectives under combined strategic command both independently and as part of ground force formations. These missions include: covering flanks and gaps in ground offensives, fighting tactical enemy landing parties, landing its own parties behind enemy lines and on the flanks, and discharging any tasks calling for high mobility and speed of deployment, particularly in local conflicts.

The Airborne Troops is a combat arm in the Armed Forces, subordinated to the Supreme Command. Their task is to envelop the enemy in the air and to conduct missions behind enemy lines aimed at disrupting command and control functions, seizing and destroying ground-based precision weapons, disrupting the advance and deployment of enemy reserves, and disrupting enemy logistics and communications, to provide cover for assigned areas and open flanks, to block and destroy landed airborne assault forces and enemy forces which have passed through friendly defense, and to perform other tasks. In peacetime, the Airborne Troops perform missions aimed at maintaining the combat and mobilization readiness at the level necessary for the successful fulfillment of their tasks.

The Airborne Troops are considered the most capable mobile assault forces in Russia. Various estimates put the personnel at about 48,000 troops as of 2009, deployed in four divisions and a brigade. The airborne troops numbered 35,000 men in 2010. In the course of the reform, the officer corps was trimmed by 40%, with 4,000 serving officers left, of whom 400 held sergeant posts due to a shortage of regular sergeants and to cuts in officers' posts.

According to Russia's military reform plans as of 2007, the Airborne Troops were to be fully manned with professional soldiers by 2011. "Priority tasks for the development of the Russian Airborne Troops include the improvement of their combat potential, upgrading of the current arsenal to advanced weaponry, and the introduction of automated battlefield command-and-control systems," defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov said at a meeting with senior Airborne Troops staff on 22 March 2007.

As of 2009, according to Russia's military reform plans, the Airborne Troops were to be fully manned with professional soldiers by 2011. As of August 2012 the number of professional servicemen in the Russian Airborne Forces was expected to reach 20,000 in the next five or seven years, more than double the current 9,500 troops, the airborne troops chief commander, Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov, said.

By 2010 there were 7,000 contract personnel with soldiers' and sergeants' duties, while the rest were conscripts. Later on, the number of contract servicemen will be doubled. It was planned to fill all junior commander and specialist posts with contract men - posts that are most demanding and require more education and training. The shortage of contract men is explained by the low pay: 12,000 to 18,000 rubles a month. Given bonuses and travel allowances, they can receive up to 18,000 or 25,000 rubles.

The airborne was seeing a rebirth in the institution of non-commissioned officers who made up the core of the old army. From 2012, a sergeant was drawing no less than 30,000 rubles, and with bonuses and travel money can earn more: 40,000 to 45,000 rubles. These wages were well over the average pay in the regions and will attract more and better-trained people. The standards sought are highly trained officers and sergeants and well-trained and hand picked soldiers - both contract and draftees able to act with daring and initiative.

In August 2010 the largest airborne military exercises since the collapse of the Soviet Union kicked off in central Russia. The exercises were held in the Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Ivanovo regions until August 28, featured over 4,000 servicemen and 300 hardware items. The exercises included airborne assault landings, assault river-crossings and the use of automated command and control systems.

According to resolution of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the first open contest "Your choice" related to attraction of citizens to the Armed Forces was dedicated to professional service in the Airborne Forces. It was organized May 19, 2014 in the garrisons of the 98th (Ivanovo), seventh (Novorossiysk), 76th (Pskov) and 106th (Tula) divisions of the Airborne Forces. In a single day 1,500 people asked for contract service in the Airborne Forces.

• Air Assault Brigade: (1 recon BMD, 1 recon BRDM-2, 1 SO-120 SP Mortar); 2 Air Assault Battalions; 2 Light Parachute Battalions; Airborne Light AT Battery
• Airborne Regiment: (1 SO-120 SP Mortar); 3 Airborne Battalions; Airborne AT Battery;

 

AIRBORNE SUPPORT UNITS

• Airborne Artillery Battery¹: 1 SD-44 Auxiliary Propelled Gun
• Airborne Artillery Regiment: 1 Howitzer Battalion, 1 Composite Artillery Battalion
• Airborne Howitzer Battalion: 3 Batteries, each 1 122mm HOW w/truck
• Airborne Composite Artillery Battalion: 2 Howitzer Batteries (each 1 122mm HOW w/truck), 1 MRL Battery (1 PRU-14 towed MRL w/truck)
• Airborne AA Battery²: 2 SA-14 stands, 1 towed ZU-23 AAA w/truck or 1 ZSU-23-4
• Attack Helicopter Company: 2 Mi-24 HIND D or E Gunships
• Transport Helicopter Company: 2 Mi-8 or Mi-17 HIP Assault Transport Helos

 

AIRBORNE COMBAT UNIT TO&E

• Air Assault / Airborne Battalion: 6 BMD, 6 Infantry
• Light Parachute Battalion: 4 Infantry, 1 AT-4 Stand
• Airborne Light AT Battery³: 2 AT-4 Stands
• Airborne AT Battery; 2 BRDM-2 w/AT-5
• Assault Gun Battalion⁴: 6 ASU-85
• Airborne Divisional Recon Company: 2 recon BRDM-2

1 There is one Airborne Artillery Battery in an Air Assault Brigade. This is the only organic artillery unit apart from the 120mm SP Mortar.

2 There is one Airborne AA Battery per Air Assault Brigade, one per Airborne Rgt, and 3 in the Airborne Div AA Btn. Towed ZU-23 AAA may be upgraded to ZSU-23-4 in 1990s.

3 Mounted in BMDs if attached to an Air Assault Brigade, foot mobile if part of a para deployed force

4 Airborne Division asset: 1 Battalion per division.

 

https://voinskayachast.net/vozdushno-desantnie-voyska/vch32515">104th Guards Air Assault Regiment VoinskayaChast.net

104th Guards Air Assault Regiment (military unit 32515)

The location of the 104th Guards Red Banner Airborne Assault Regiment, or military unit 32515, is the village of Cherekha, Pskov Region. The unit belongs to the Airborne Forces performing combat missions of destroying and capturing the enemy from the air, as well as destroying ground weapons and covering or defending certain areas. For some combat missions, the Airborne Forces are used as rapid reaction formations. Since the beginning of 2003, it has been partially transferred to the contract basis of acquisition.

The formation of the regiment began in January 1948. It included units of the 346th, 104th and 76th Guards Airborne Divisions. The legendary 104th Guards Red Banner Airborne Assault Regiment was formed on September 24, 1948 on the basis of personnel from the 3rd Airborne Battalion, 346th Guards Airborne Landing Regiment, 104th Guards Airborne Order of Kutuzov Division, 38th Guards airborne corps, non-commissioned officers of the 104th and 76th guards airborne divisions and recruits called up in 1948. The formation of the unit continued until January 1, 1949. According to the formation, it was named the 104th Guards Airborne Landing Regiment. Guards Red Banner Airborne Assault Regiment - 104th Guards Airborne Troops - a military unit of the Airborne Troops of the Armed Forces of the USSR and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is part of the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Chernihiv Red Banner Order of Suvorov Division.

In 1976, the regiment was awarded the challenge Red Banner of the Pskov regional committee of the CPSU and the regional executive committee, "for excellent success in combat and political training, military discipline." By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "for great services in the armed defense of the Soviet Motherland, successes in combat and political training, mastering new equipment and in connection with the 60th anniversary of the Soviet Army and Navy" the regiment was awarded the Order of the Red Banner on February 21, 1978. For the displayed valor and courage in regimental tactical exercises, by order of the Minister of Defense dated November 26, 1979, the regiment was awarded the pennant of the Minister of Defense of the USSR "For Courage and Military Valor". In 1991, the regiment was awarded the second pennant of the Minister of Defense of the USSR "For courage and military prowess".

From 1979 to 1989, his personnel and officers carried out combat operations in Afghanistan. In February 1978 he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for success in the development of new weapons. From 1994 to 1995, the regiment was among the units of the 76th division, which participated in the hostilities in Chechnya. In 1999 and 2009 he participated in anti-terrorist missions in the North Caucasus.

The regiment became widely known after the battle at height 776 during the second Chechen war. During the battle near Argun on February 29 - March 1, 2000, the 6th company of the 2nd battalion of the 104th guards airborne regiment entered into battle with a detachment of 2.5 thousand militants (data from federal forces), commanded by an Arab mercenary Khattab. Of the 90 paratroopers then killed 84 paratroopers.

In 2000, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, for the courage and courage shown in the liquidation of illegal armed groups, 22 paratroopers were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (21 of them posthumously), 68 soldiers and officers of the 6th company were awarded the Order of Courage (63 of them - posthumously).

According to the results of combat training for 2005 and 2006, the unit was recognized as the best in the Airborne Forces. In the course of carrying out measures to reform the Airborne Forces, from December 1, 2006, the full name of the regiment: 104th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment of the Red Banner.

Since the beginning of 2003, the regiment was partially transferred to a contract basis. At the same time, the reconstruction of old and the construction of new residential premises, as well as facilities on the territory of military unit 32515, began. According to the results of the summer training period in 2017, by order of the Minister of Defense, the regiment became one of the first military units of the Russian Armed Forces to be awarded the title of "Shock". The command of the Airborne Forces awarded the regiment a heraldic badge.

The material and living conditions of service in the unit are satisfactory. The military personnel live in the barracks, with one shower room per unit and a storage closet in the hallway. The hostel has a lounge and a gym. The dining room is located in a separate room, officers and soldiers eat together. Catering, as well as work on cleaning the barracks and the territory adjacent to them, is assigned to civilian personnel. The soldiers of such a unit as military unit 32515 devote a lot of time to general physical and landing training, regardless of the time of year. The mandatory activities for paratroopers include obtaining and improving the skills of camouflage, forcing water and fire barriers.

A lot of time is devoted to the basic skills of fighters - jumping. At first, the soldiers of military unit 32515 train at the airborne complex on the territory of the unit. The first jump takes place from a five-meter tower. Then, in groups of 10, the paratroopers make three jumps from the AN aircraft, and then in the same composition from the IL.

There are no hazing and hazing in the unit. recruits of military unit 32515 live on a separate floor of the barracks, and old-timers and contract soldiers live on the floor above, but already in the same block.

Calls to relatives on a mobile phone are allowed only at a certain time - an hour before lights out. The rest of the time, the phones are kept by the unit commander and are issued to soldiers only after being marked in the appropriate journal.

Field exercises take place regardless of the season. Sometimes employees of such a unit as military unit 32515 can spend up to two months on the road (usually these are combined arms exercises). Mentally stable applicants with good physical fitness and a health certificate of at least form A-1 are accepted for contract service in military unit 32515. Preference is given to applicants with martial arts skills, who previously served in the Airborne Forces and were involved in parachuting.

Paratroopers of military unit 32515 receive monetary allowance on the card of Sberbank of Russia. For contract servicemen, it is calculated twice a month (advance payment and salary), and for conscript soldiers - once a month. The ATM of Sberbank, like the ATM of the Baltic Bank, is located at the checkpoint of the part.

https://voinskayachast.net/vozdushno-desantnie-voyska/vch42091">108th Air Assault Regiment @ VoinskayaChast.net

108th Guards Air Assault Regiment (military unit 42091)

The 108th Guards Airborne Assault Kuban Cossack Regiment of the Order of the Red Star, or military unit 42091, is stationed in the city of Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Territory . It is part of the 7th Guards Air Assault Division.

Throughout its existence - 70 years, military unit 42091 has been known as one of the best units of the 7th Guards Division among participants in combat exercises, military operations and testing of new weapons and heavy military equipment. In 1956, the airborne regiment took part in Operation Whirlwind (the suppression of the uprising in Hungary) and in the fighting in Budapest. In 1968, the fighters took part in operations on the territory of Czechoslovakia, and in 1979-1989 they went on combat missions to Afghanistan.

The fighters of the unit took part in the liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. Many employees of the unit performed peacekeeping missions in Abkhazia, Dagestan and South Ossetia. From August 1994 to the present, military unit 42091 is stationed in Novorossiysk and is one of the formations of the 7th Guards Air Assault Division.

“The Airborne Forces are preparing real men” - those who have already served in military unit 42901 and those who cherish the dream of becoming a paratrooper agree with this statement. The air assault division is considered one of the most difficult to serve due to strict discipline. But at the same time, there are no hazing and factors that distract soldiers from the most important thing - real military training.

Only one thing is required from the recruits of the unit: to learn how to survive in the most difficult conditions, physical endurance and the ability to make decisions instantly. These qualities of employees in the Airborne Forces have long been legendary among forum visitors. Many recall the fact that during the recent armed conflict in Georgia, “their” military did not dare to engage in a firefight with the fighters of military unit 42091 and retreated, simply dropping their weapons.

The military unit stationed in Novorossiysk belongs to the elite troops, which is greatly facilitated by material and living conditions: clean barracks, good food, modern showers. Among the positive military support of some moments is the arrival of new types of weapons and modern military equipment.

For all soldiers, exercises are held at the Raevskaya training ground: skills of combat training and landing of technicians are practiced, classes are held at the airborne complex and physical training standards are passed. Interestingly, upon arrival at the unit, the recruits pass the standards for receiving a vest, however, it is issued only on the oath, and then refers to the dress uniform.

Among the fighters of military unit 42091 there are a sufficient number of contract soldiers, and eyewitnesses give only one explanation for this: Novorossiysk is the dream of every paratrooper. Meanwhile, contract employees are provided with good material and living conditions: several dormitories of the cubicle type, with fairly good furnishings, a shower room, a laundry room and rooms designed for three people. Now in the Novorossiysk garrison, work is underway to build a cultural and leisure center and a residential apartment building for military personnel with families. As long as they are allowed to rent housing within the garrison (in the city), compensation is paid for this depending on the number of family members. It is interesting that such a practice in military unit 42091 was adopted only among contract soldiers, but at the present time, housing is also being rented for employees on a permanent basis (ensigns and officers, in particular).

The most anticipated event for soldiers is parachuting. Not everyone is allowed to them, but only those who have been instructed and are not at the time of the exercise in the hospital. In addition to them, there is also mountain and assault training, which applies to all units of the 7th Airborne Assault Division.

As for the conscripts, the pay for their service is not so high. It is better for fighters to make money transfers to the card of Sberbank of Russia or VTB Bank. The terminal of the first is located next to the part, but employees can withdraw money only during dismissal.

Dismissals, as the employees themselves say, are granted several times a month (no more than 4). They can be given from 6 hours to 1 day, depending on whether the exercises are currently taking place or not. Leaves are not given when a soldier is on daily duty, on guard duty, on duty or in field exercises.

The Committee of the Council of Soldiers' Mothers of the South of Russia operates in the city (with the support of the command of the 7th Airborne Assault Division). Communication with relatives is allowed on weekday evenings and on weekends at certain times, but not more than twice a week. During the rest of the time, mobile phones are with the commanders.

In telephone conversation was intercepted by the SBU between a Russian military man and his passion, the girl called on her beloved orc to rape Ukrainian women and not tell her about it. It turned out that the names of the spouses were Roman and Olga Bykovsky. Roman and Olga come from the Oryol region of Russia. During the call, which Ukrainian law enforcement bodies in the Kherson region in the country’s south said they intercepted before publishing it earlier this month, a woman can be heard giving permission to a man to rape Ukrainian women. “Yes, I allow it. Just wear protection,” the woman says between laughs.

The occupant previously served in the regiment of the Russian Guard. Apparently, the occupier signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense no later than February 2018. The Conflict Intelligence Team helped journalists find out where Bykovsky served. According to the emblem on the chevron, this is the 108th Guards Air Assault Regiment - the Kuban Cossack Order of the Red Star. He, in particular, participated in the occupation of the Crimea. While they may have been joking during their call, the publication came amid a growing number of allegations by Ukrainian women that they had been raped by the invading Russian soldiers.

https://voinskayachast.net/vozdushno-desantnie-voyska/vch41450">137th Guards Airborne Regiment

137th Guards Airborne Regiment (military unit 41450)

In Ryazan , to date, all conditions have been created for the training of employees in the units of the Airborne Forces: here is the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. Margelov, and the 137th Airborne Kuban Cossack Regiment of the Order of the Red Star, that is, military unit 41450. The highly awarded Guards Parachute Regiment is rightfully considered one of the best in the Airborne Forces.

The personnel of the Ryazan Airborne Regiment was the first in the troops to receive a battalion set of the latest models of military equipment BMD-4M and BTR-MDM "Rakushka" for equipment. It was the servicemen of this regiment who had the honor of representing the Airborne Troops as part of mechanized parade crews at the Victory Parade in Moscow. As of 2018, about 80% of the regiment's units are fully staffed with contract servicemen. The competition among candidates for contract service is up to 7 people per place.

Employees are trained at the Ryazan Higher School. This educational institution, known among the locals as the school of the Airborne Forces, has its own, no less interesting, history. The Ryazan Higher School began its work back in 1918 - then the first infantry courses for the red commanders of Ryazan were opened there. In 1959, this educational institution was merged with the Alma-Ata Airborne School. In the 1960s, the school was given the name of the higher, and in the 1990s - the name of V. Margelov. In 2013, the command of the airborne troops of the Russian Federation began to manage the Ryazan Higher School.

On 13 August 2015 the parachute regiment of the Airborne Forces stationed in Ryazan was given the honorary name "Ryazansky". A solemn ritual of conferring the honorary name "Ryazansky" on the parachute regiment of the Airborne Troops (VDV) took place. The honorary name was given to the military unit by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation - Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of July 22, 2015 No. 379 "for mass heroism and courage, fortitude and courage shown by personnel in combat operations to protect the Fatherland and state interests in armed conflicts and taking into account merit in times of peace”. The certificate of honor of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on conferring an honorary name on the regiment was presented by the Commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov.

The 137th Airborne Regiment traces its history back to November 1948. It was then that the 137th Guards Landing Airborne Regiment was formed on the basis of the 2nd Battalion of the 347th Guards Airborne Regiment. In May 1949, he was reorganized into the 137th Guards Airborne Regiment, known today as military unit 41450. In 1955, the regiment participated for the first time in a major exercise with practical landings.

He was awarded the titles of Kuban Cossack and the Order of the Red Star at the end of 1997. The servicemen of the unit took part in the fighting in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as in the first Chechen war. Servicemen of the famous military formation had a chance to take part in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus. In 1999, fighters of military unit 41450 were part of the battalions to combat criminal groups in Dagestan. Five paratroopers of the regiment were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. In April 2008, the regiment was awarded the St. George banner of a new type.

Both conscripts and contract employees notice that the Ryazan landing force is one of the best in Russia. Material and living conditions in military unit 41450 are good. The soldiers do not live in the barracks, but in the Kubrick-type dormitories, the rooms in which are designed for 4-6 people. For two blocks-kubricks there is a separate bathroom and shower room. There is a canteen and a laundry in the hostel building. Military personnel of the unit who have families are allowed to rent housing on the territory of the garrison and receive monthly compensation depending on the composition of the family. Fighters who have entered into a re-contract can use the mortgage savings system to obtain their own housing.

On the territory of military unit 41450 there is a House of Culture, an airborne complex with jumping towers, a gym, a museum of the Airborne Forces and a library. There is also a store with a cashless system. The infrastructure of the city in which military unit 41450 is located is traditional for the Russian regional center - shops, pharmacies, clinics, cafes, cinemas, educational institutions, hairdressers, etc. When entering military service, paratroopers receive not only a uniform and blue berets, but also a tracksuit with training shoes.

Checks in military unit 41450 are carried out monthly: not only the combat skills of paratroopers and their knowledge of the military specialty, but also living conditions are controlled. Employees of the commissions of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation have the right to check the accounts of soldiers in social networks, the mobile phone gallery, calls, SMS and MMS messages.

On March 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on a one-time payment of 5 million rubles to families of servicemen who died in Ukraine. In addition, they are entitled to benefits in the amount of 7.4 million rubles and monthly cash compensation.

Nenets Autonomous Okrug reported that the son of Vice-Governor Alexander Dudorov Georgy, who was the political officer of the reconnaissance company of the 137th regiment of the 106th Tula Guards Airborne Division, died in battles in Ukraine. On March 14, the Investigative Committee of Russia announced the death of the deputy commander of the reconnaissance company of the parachute division Georgy Dudorov. According to the agency, the military came under artillery fire on 06 March 2022. Georgy Dudorov, deputy commander of the reconnaissance company, who died during a special operation in Ukraine, was the son of Alexander Dudorov, vice-governor of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The administration of NAO RBC confirmed that Georgy Dudorov is the son of the deputy governor. According to the website of the regional administration, Deputy Governor Alexander Dudorov oversees the work of the department of internal control and supervision of the Autonomous Okrug, as well as the department of civil protection and fire safety. The official, born in 1972, was appointed to the post of deputy governor in 2021.

The ministry said in a statement that the military man "tragically died while performing a combat mission during a special operation." Dudorov served as deputy commander of the reconnaissance company for military-political work of the 137th regiment of the 106th Tula Guards Airborne Division. “On March 6, he came under artillery fire and was mortally wounded, but “honorably fulfilled his military duty to the Fatherland,” the agency noted.

On 26 May 2022, a farewell ceremony was held in the Ryazan region for the soldiers who died heroically during a special military operation in Ukraine: Guards Major Alexander Denisov, deputy commander of the parachute battalion of military unit 41450, guards senior sergeant Kirill Belov, commander of the communications department of military unit 41450, guard senior warrant officer Dmitry Krivosheev, commander of the commandant platoon of military unit 06017. Funeral events were held with all military honors in the city of Ryazan and the Ryazan region. They were attended by representatives of the Government of the Ryazan region, the administration of Ryazan and the Ryazan region, the command of the Airborne Forces, the Ryazan military garrison, the Ryazan Diocese, public organizations, veterans, relatives and friends of military personnel. Pavel Malkov, Acting Governor of the Ryazan Region, expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.

 

217th Guards Order of Kutuzov III Degree Airborne Regiment - military unit 62295 (Ivanovo)

The 217th Guards Order of Kutuzov III Degree Airborne Regiment military unit 62295 (Ivanovo, Ivanovo Region) is a unit of the 98th Guards Airborne Svir Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Airborne Division. Field exercises are held twice a year, not far from Kostroma. In addition to this settlement, soldiers of military unit 62295 can be sent to Luga, Yeysk or near Yaroslavl. Field exercises last the least time for employees of the 3rd battalion (approximately 1-2 weeks of field exercises).

Candidates whose relatives have been convicted are not accepted for contract service. For the first 3 months, recruits take the course of a young fighter. During the KMB, mobile phones can only be used on weekends. Parcels are picked up not at the city post office, but at the post office of the unit, the fighters also do not go to the store. After completing the course of a young soldier, employees of such a unit as military unit 62295 take the oath. The servicemen live in well-maintained Kubrick barracks. There is a shower room and a bathroom for two cubicles. The barracks has a rest room, a room for ironing and drying clothes, as well as a sports corner. Bathing day, as well as park and economic - on Saturdays. The bath is located on the territory of the unit.

 

1st Airborne Battalion 2nd Airborne Battalion 3rd Airborne Battalion self-propelled artillery battalion anti-tank battery anti-aircraft missile battery reconnaissance company engineering sapper company communications company paratrooper company logistics company repair company RCB protection platoon commandant's platoon medical company band

The regiment, in turn, consists of three battalions: the 1st battalion is a combat battalion, the 2nd battalion is a rapid response, staffed by contract servicemen, the 3rd battalion is a drill battalion. Military unit 62295 pays monetary allowances to servicemen on the VTB-24 card. There are no ATMs of this bank on the territory; an ATM of the Moscow Industrial Bank is installed at the checkpoint. For withdrawing money from the card, a commission of 100 rubles is charged. For each jump, the paratroopers receive cash surcharges, if there is a complication factor for the jump, the payments increase. Contract soldiers have a slightly higher salary and jump payouts than conscripts.

 

On September 25, 1948 in the village. Galenka, Molotovsky District, Primorsky Territory, the formation of a regiment began on the basis of the 2nd Guards Airborne Order of Kutuzov III degree regiment, the 98th Guards Airborne Svir Red Banner Division. On October 1, 1948, the formation was completed, the first order No. 1 of 10/1/48 was issued. 1st Guards Svir Airborne Red Banner Corps. On February 11, 1949, the 217th Airborne Regiment was renamed the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment.

On the basis of the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the deputy commander of the 37th Guards Airborne Svir Red Banner Corps, the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment, on February 20, 1949, was awarded the Red Banner. On the basis of the order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR of October 31, 1949, in commemoration of the day of the formation of the regiment, October 1 was established as the day of the unit's annual holiday.

From May 27 to June 3, 1951, the regiment was relocated to the city of Kuibyshevka-Vostochnaya, Amur Region. In March 1955, the regiment, in connection with the disbandment of the 13th Guards Airborne Division, was transferred to the 98th Guards Airborne Division of the 37th Guards Airborne Corps. From July 25, 1969 to August 11, 1969, the regiment was relocated to the city of Bolgrad, Odessa region. During this period, the regiment was actively involved in combat training. He began to master new equipment, learn to jump from VTA aircraft: An-2, An-12, An-22.

For the exercises "South-71" and "Spring-72", by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, gratitude was announced to the personnel of the regiment. In 1972-74. The regiment received a BMD-1 airborne combat vehicle. March 18, 1975 by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment was awarded the Pennant of the Minister of Defense "For courage and military prowess", for high results in field training, courage and military prowess shown during the exercise "Spring-75".

On December 15, 1982, by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, the regiment, one of the first in the Airborne Forces, was awarded the second Pennant of the Minister of Defense "For courage and military prowess", for high results in field training, courage and military prowess shown at the "Shield-82" exercise, which took place on the territory of Bulgaria.

In June 1984, the personnel of the paratrooper battalion, self-propelled artillery battalion and communications company, together with the troops of the Red Banner Odessa Military District, took part in the Soyuz-84 large-scale exercises. High patriotic enthusiasm, pride in belonging to the Airborne Forces made it possible to demonstrate high field training.

Since March 1988, the personnel of the 217th RPD 6 times participated in ensuring public order in the republics of Transcaucasia. On February 20, 1990, by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, for the courage and military prowess shown in carrying out the tasks of the Soviet government, in connection with the declaration of a state of emergency in certain regions of the Transcaucasus, the regiment was awarded the third pennant of the Minister of Defense of the USSR "For courage and military prowess".

Many of the officers and ensigns of the regiment have combat experience gained while participating in combat operations in Afghanistan. In April 1993, the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment, as part of the division, was redeployed to the city of Ivanovo. In December 1994, the combined battalion of the regiment left for Chechnya to carry out a special task of the Government of the Russian Federation to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Chechnya. For several months of combat operations, 355 paratroopers were awarded orders and medals, and three servicemen were awarded the title of Hero of Russia: Guards Major Viktor Omelkov (posthumously), Guards Captain Alexei Tyagachev and Guards Lieutenant Andrei Timoshenko

From July 1998 to April 1999, the combined battalion of the regiment carried out peacekeeping tasks in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. For the courage and heroism shown in the performance of military duty in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, Guards Private Dmitry Mironov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

From September 1999 to March 2000, the personnel of the parachute company of the regiment, as part of the regimental tactical group of the Kostroma paratrooper regiment, performed combat missions in the North Caucasus. Also, the personnel of the regiment took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace in August 2008 in South Ossetia.

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234th Guards Black Sea Order of Kutuzov imeni Alexander Nevsky Airborne Assault Regiment - military unit 74268

The place of deployment of the 234th Guards Black Sea Order of Kutuzov named after Alexander Nevsky Airborne Assault Regiment, or military unit 74268, is the city of Pskov, Pskov Region . The formation is part of the structural units of the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division, located in Pskov and is subordinate to the command of the Western Military District.

According to the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, on June 19, 2020, on the territory of the [234th] Guards Airborne Assault Black Sea named after Alexander Nevsky Regiment of the [76th] Pskov Guards Airborne Assault Division of the Airborne Forces (VDV ) under the leadership of the deputy commander of the formation for weapons of the guards, Colonel Alexei Zaitsev, a solemn ritual of transferring the latest models of military equipment to the personnel of the military unit took place. The battalion set of equipment for the Pskov paratroopers includes about 40 airborne combat vehicles of the new generation BMD-4M and BTR-MDM "Rakushka".

In a solemn atmosphere with the participation of the command and military personnel of the guards unit, as well as veterans of the unit, the new equipment was handed over to the personnel of one of the air assault battalions of the famous regiment. As the deputy commander of the Pskov formation of the guard, Colonel Alexei Zaitsev, noted in his speech, the combat vehicles created by the designers increase the power of the Airborne Forces, which stand guard over Russia's national interests.

Equipping the troops with modern equipment and control means helps to increase the combat capabilities of the Airborne Forces units, and the implementation of the tasks of the state defense order in the interests of the Airborne Forces makes it possible to increase the share of new and modernized models. All military personnel of the airborne assault battalion, which received new equipment, underwent a two-month training course and retraining for new types of weapons in Omsk on the basis of the 242nd training center (training of junior specialists of the Airborne Forces).

This is the second battalion set of BMD-4M airborne combat vehicles and BTR-MDM Rakushka airborne armored personnel carriers, transferred to the 234th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment of the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division in Pskov. The first battalion set of BMD-4M and BTR-MDM was transferred to the 234th regiment on January 17, 2020. The battalion set of BMD-4M and BTR-MDM transferred to the 234th regiment on June 19 became, according to known data, the ninth battalion set of these vehicles transferred to the Airborne Forces from industry. The battalion kit now includes 31 BMD-4M airborne combat vehicles and eight airborne armored personnel carriers BTR-MDM "Rakushka" (previously, in some battalion kits, the number of BTR-MDM was 16 units). Deliveries of battalion sets of new airborne combat vehicles BMD-4M (including armored personnel carriers BTR-MDM Rakushka) to the Russian Airborne Forces have been carried out since 2016.

The forerunner of the formation was the 221st Rifle Regiment, formed in the winter of 1926 and immediately included in the 74th Taman Rifle Division. For military merit in the pre-war period, he received the name of the Black Sea. In August 1939, it was detached from the division as an independent unit and reorganized into the 157th Rifle Division. The structural subdivisions of the headquarters and one of the battalions became the basis for the formation of the 384th rifle regiment, relocated to Novorossiysk. The regiment itself, among the combat units of the 157th division, defended Odessa (September 1941) and was involved in the Kerch-Feodosia operation (December - May 1942). The regiment was reorganized into the 234th at the end of the Battle of Stalingrad (1943), at the same time received the rank of Guards. After the Great Patriotic War, he was relocated to Kirov, and in June 1946 to Kingisepp. The final location of the then 234th Guards Rifle since 1947 was the city of Pskov.

In the summer of 1946, there was another reorganization of the unit - it became known as the 234th Guards Landing Airborne Regiment and became part of the collapsed 238th Guards Rifle Regiment. The 234th Guards Airborne Regiment was renamed in the autumn of 1949. It is worth noting that during the war the unit was awarded the Order of Kutuzov 3rd degree for participating in the liberation of Danzig (May 1945).

Connection from 1948 to 1950 was under the command of V. Margelov and was the first to undergo tactical exercises, including the combination of landing and ground combat operations, as well as ground attack in small groups. After the military reform in 2008, it was renamed the 234th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment. Before the reform (in 2004) it was transferred to the contract basis of configuration. To date, the unit is the only one in the Russian Federation that bears the name of Alexander Nevsky (assigned in 1996). The image of the saint is on the banner and sleeve patches of the unit. In the second half of the 1980s, the regiment participated in operations in Baku and Yerevan, as well as in the aftermath of a natural disaster in Armenia. He was part of the UN peacekeepers and participated in missions in Abkhazia, Transnistria, as well as Yugoslavia and North Ossetia. Participated in two Chechen wars (1995-1996, 1999 and 2004).

The material and living conditions of the servicemen of military unit 74268 are called good. So, recruits and old-timers are placed on different floors of the Kubrick hostel (the Kubricks are designed for 12 people), which excludes hazing, although conflict relations between old-timers and recruits were previously noted. To prevent such situations, a nightly physical examination of the soldiers is carried out. The barracks is equipped with showers, a relaxation room and a sports corner. The dining room is located on the first floor: personnel and officers eat together.

Soldiers can go to the store on the territory of the garrison only with accompanying officers. It is noteworthy that the chip has a terminal for replenishing the account. In addition, the garrison has a club, a medical unit and a bath and laundry plant. Cleaning of the surrounding area and the first floor of the barracks is carried out by civilian personnel. The fighters carry out the cleaning of the cockpits on their own (for this, an outfit is assigned).

The management of the unit allows the independent purchase of new shoes to replace old-style shoes. Army clothing, footwear and equipment stores are located at : "Splav" on the street. Pushkina, 16. Open until 18.00; "Camouflage" on the street. Yubileinaya, 22. Open until 18.00; "Sturmer" on the street. Jan Fabricius, 3-a/13. Works until 19.00.

It is forbidden to use mobile phones before taking the oath - they are seized by the command, but the SIM cards remain with the soldiers. After the recruits have taken the oath, you can call home on Sundays from 16.00 until lights out. It is recommended to purchase SIM cards of all Russian telecom operators with tariffs for Pskov and the Pskov region. Military unit 74268 pays monetary allowances to conscripts once a month, and to contractors twice. Such an accrual system is adopted in all military units of the Russian Federation. Calculation of monetary allowance is made on the card of Sberbank of Russia.

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247th Guards Air Assault Regiment (military unit 54801)

Military unit 54801 is the 247th Guards Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment, Airborne Troops (VDV) of the Russian Federation, military unit 54801. In general, military unit 54801 is small - one regiment (which is about 1500 people). Hazing is absent here. Relations between colleagues and commanders are good. There are many contractors, in some units - the majority. As the newspaper notes, the 247th regiment is unofficially called the "forge of divisional commanders": those who served in the regiment often later became commanders of airborne formations.

It is deployed in the city of Stavropol, Stavropol Territory. The 247th regiment has two main holidays: on March 18, 2023, it celebrated its 50th birthday, and on August 2, every year in military unit 54801, celebrations are held in honor of the Day of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation. By the way, in 2020 the Russian Airborne Forces celebrated their 90th anniversary.

 

control; 802nd separate airborne assault battalion; 803rd separate airborne assault battalion; 804th separate airborne assault battalion; separate service battalion; 292nd helicopter regiment; 325th helicopter regiment; 303rd airfield maintenance battalion; 358th airfield maintenance battalion; 801st company of comms and radio technical support; 802nd company of comms and radio engineering support.

The 247th Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment was formed on the basis of the 21st Separate Experimental Airborne Assault Brigade. The formation of the brigade began on February 19, 1973 in the city of Kutaisi, Georgian SSR. March 18, 1973 is considered the founding day of the unit. On August 1, 1980, the brigade was awarded the Battle Banner and a letter of commendation.

 

From the first days of the existence of the brigade, its units and subdivisions were repeatedly involved in various exercises. The brigade acted in the exercises "Snow Pass" in 1973, experimental tactical exercises under the leadership of the Chief of the General Staff in 1974, in the exercises "West-81", "Kavkaz-85", "Kavkaz-87".

In 1983, the personnel of the brigade made the first parachute jumps. In 1986, units of the brigade took part in the liquidation of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. From 1989 to 1992, the personnel took part in establishing constitutional order in the republics of Transcaucasia. In 1989, the brigade was awarded the transient Red Banner of the Military Council of the Transcaucasian Military District, and in 1990 - the pennant of the Minister of Defense of the USSR "For Courage and Military Valor".

In 1990, the brigade was renamed from a separate airborne assault brigade into a separate airborne assault brigade and became part of the Airborne Forces. In 1992, the brigade was relocated to Stavropol, and in 1994 it was given the name "Stavropol Cossack". Since January 1998, the brigade became part of the 7th Guards Airborne Division and from May 1 it was transformed into the 247th Stavropol Cossack Parachute Regiment, and from September 12, 1998 into the 247th Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment.

The 247th regiment is constantly involved in the implementation of various tasks in peacetime and wartime: in 1986, the military personnel of the then brigade were involved in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident; in 1988-89 - in Armenia and Georgia, they eliminated the consequences of earthquakes; in 1989-1992 - participated in the resolution of conflicts in the Transcaucasus, and in 2000-2004. - participated in the hostilities in Chechnya.

For courage and heroism shown in the performance of military duty, many military personnel were awarded orders and medals, and Colonel V. Nuzhny (posthumously), Senior Lieutenant Vorozhanin O. (posthumously), Lieutenant Colonel Pegishev A., Captain Dumchikov A., Captain Khomenko I. (posthumously), Sergeant Chumak Yu. (posthumously), Private Lantsev M., Captain Minenkov M., Colonel Em Yu. Awarded the high title of Hero of Russia.

The honorary title of "Guards" regiment received in 2013, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation. This is only the second case in the Russian army when a part of the Airborne Forces receives such a "title" in peacetime.

The military camp of military unit 54801 is located in a residential area of Stavropol. The contractors and their families are provided with medical services, there are no problems with places in kindergartens, schools and other institutions. Military unit 54801 accepts women for contract service.

Military personnel of military unit 54801 often and for a long time (sometimes for several months) leave the location of the unit. Fighters go on business trips, for jumping, shooting, field exercises, tactics classes, for "mountain" training. Paratroopers learn to overcome heights from 1500 to 2600 m above sea level, cross mountain rivers, move on ice; master parachutes, armored vehicles, walkie-talkies, regular and secret weapons. They run 1 - 3 km daily, if not in a dress (and there are a lot of outfits here).

For a year, each paratrooper needs to complete a program for parachute jumps from Il, An, etc., as well as helicopters. Compliance with jumping standards significantly increases additional payments and bonuses, as well as length of service.

Military unit 54801 does not issue driver's licenses. But all drivers and driver-mechanics who already have a driver's license can get a driving category "D" and "E" during the service. Retraining takes place at the expense of the state.

In addition, each serviceman, if desired, can receive a referral to the Training Center - a training center for the training of junior airborne specialists. The course of study is from three months to six months. Excellent students can continue their studies at the school of sergeants of the airborne troops (they study for 2.5 years). Those who aspire to higher education are sent to the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School (RVVDKU) or other educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Soldiers of the military unit 54801 regularly guard. The guard consists in the protection of especially important objects on the territory of the unit and beyond. Not everyone is taken on guard duty, but only those whom the psychologist recommends for this combat mission. In some companies, mechanics are not sent to guards, as they are constantly "with equipment." Newly arrived youth are also not put on guard. In addition, the soldiers of military unit 54801 regularly participate in the May 9 parade, patrol the streets of the city, participate in city public events, and much more.

It is clear that the workload is large, so discipline and regulations are strictly observed. And they compensate for the increased workload with good food: they cook delicious dishes in the dining room, there is a choice of dishes, there is a buffet. Sweets are also served: buns, cookies, sweets.

Living conditions in military unit 54801 are generally good. Conscripts live in the location of the unit in the barracks, in cockpits of 4-6 people. The furniture, although old-fashioned, is strong and comfortable, there are TVs. Each has its own nightstand and safe. Toilets and showers in every cockpit, hot water all the time. On the territory of the military unit 54801 there is a gym with exercise equipment, two shops (grocery and manufactured goods), the Museum of Military Glory of military unit No. 54801. There is a regimental military band.

On weekends in the military unit 54801 they give dismissals. Phones in military unit 54801, unlike many military units, are not taken away, but need to turn on the silent mode. There can be communication problems on the road.

At least 55 paratroopers from one regiment of the Russian Airborne Forces were killed in Ukraine. This was established by the publication Important Stories (Russian authorities recognized it as an "undesirable organization"), after analyzing the mourning videos that appeared on the Internet and were sent by subscribers. Radio Liberty published a video of a new cemetery alley in the city of Mikhailovsk, Stavropol Territory, with a large number of fresh graves, wreaths and flags of the Airborne Forces.

Mikhailovsk is a suburb of Stavropol, where the 247th Guards Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment is stationed . On March 5, the regional authorities confirmed the death in Ukraine of the commander of this regiment, Konstantin Zizevsky, and two days earlier, on March 3, Vladimir Putin posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia to Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov, officer of the 247th Guards Airborne Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment.

"Important stories" found that in the photographs of the dead published on the Internet - at least 55 servicemen of this regiment. In addition to the regimental commander, there are several company commanders among them. The publication names the names of several dead officers. All of them were previously reported by the authorities of various Russian regions.

 

331st Guards Airborne Regiment (military unit 71211)

The 331st Guards Airborne Regiment (military unit 71211) was considered one of Russia’s elite units. The regiment fought in both Chechen wars and some of its members were directly involved in the Donbas conflict in 2014 to 2015. Since 1960, the 331st Airborne Regiment (Kostroma) has been part of the 106th Guards Airborne Forces. Since 1976, the 331st Airborne Regiment has become a permanent participant in military parades on Red Square.

The training of the Kostroma paratroopers took place not only at the regimental training base, but also during large-scale exercises. Here is an incomplete list: landing in cooperation with the marines in the area of the city of Kerch (1966); landing in Bulgaria during the exercises "Dnepr" (1967); landing at the Novaya Zemlya training ground (1969); landing in Azerbaijan (1971).

Six months before the end of the Great Patriotic War, on December 27, 1944, the 331st Guards Regiment was formed in Maryina Gorka, Minsk Region. The foundation for the regiment was the units of the 7th, 11th, 14th and 17th Guards Brigades. In January 1945, the regiment was included in the 105th Guards Rifle Division. During the months of fighting against the Axis forces in Europe, the 331st Regiment performs excellently and receives eight times the gratitude from the command. In July 1946, the regiment was reorganized into a paratrooper regiment. Since then, the Guards formation has been called the 331st Guards Airborne Regiment.

The turbulent period that preceded the collapse of the Soviet Union and the difficult years of the early 90s required the paratroopers from 331 paratroopers (Kostroma) to stand up for the interests of the state and ensure a peaceful settlement of numerous ethnic conflicts. In 1988-1990, 331 PDPs took part in the division of the warring parties in the Transcaucasus. South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh will long remain in the memory of paratroopers from the banks of the Volga.

The war between Serbia and Croatia also did not bypass the 331 parachute regiment. A combined company was sent from the regiment to the former Yugoslavia as peacekeepers. In the same year, units of the regiment did not allow rivers of blood to spill in Ossetia and Transnistria.

Since 1993, the regiment has been part of the 98th Guards Airborne Division. During the Chechen war of 1994-1995, the personnel of the 331st airborne regiment took part in hostilities as part of a combined battalion sent by a division to the North Caucasus. In June 1999, 2 PDB 331 PDP of the Airborne Forces became the backbone for the formation of the 14th separate airborne battalion. This unit was urgently sent to Kosovo, where the Albanian separatists entered into an armed conflict with the Serbs.

From September 1999 to March 2000, the regimental tactical group 331 PDP from Kostroma participates in operations to eliminate illegal gangs in the North Caucasus. In Dagestan and Chechnya, the paratroopers of the regiment showed themselves as courageous and trained warriors. Two paratroopers from the PTG 331 pdp were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. 217 fighters and commanders of the 331st Guards Airborne Regiment received state awards from the hands of V. Putin, who was in Chechnya at that time.

From November 2002 to March 2003, the tactical group from the 3rd paratrooper battalion 331 paratroopers again performs combat missions in the North Caucasus. The escalation of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict that began in August 2008 required the protection of civilians of the Russian Federation in South Ossetia. From the 331st regiment of the Airborne Forces (Kostroma), the 1st infantry brigade was sent to the conflict zone, which completed all the tasks set by the command.

In August 2014, units of the regiment took part in the Battle of Ilovaisk . On August 24, at about 00:15, a BMD-2 column of the regiment was shot down by a Ukrainian anti-tank detachment of the 51st mechanized brigade near the village of Kuteynikovo, 13. km west of the city of Amvroseevka . Two BMD-2s were destroyed. The paratroopers left the cars and took cover in the trees nearby. A few hours later, at about 17:00, they left the shelter and were captured by the reconnaissance group of the 51st mechanized brigade near the village of Dzerkalne, field headquarters of the tactical group of the Ukrainian battalion. Ten paratroopers were taken prisoner. The Russian military said the captured paratroopers crossed the border "accidentally." During a briefing on August 5, 2015, the General Military Prosecutor of Ukraine reported that from August 29 to 30, 2014, captured paratroopers were exchanged for 200 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians detained by Russia and pro-Russian forces.

The 331st and Colonel Sergey Sukharev took part in the Battle of Ilovaisk in eastern Ukraine in August 2014, when fighting broke out between pro-Moscow separatists and Ukrainian forces. Russian forces allegedly went back on an agreement to allow Ukrainian soldiers to retreat, killing many in the ensuing shoot out. Ariana Gic, a political and legal analyst, said: "Whenever anyone talks about agreements with Russia, I think of the 2014 Ilovaisk massacre. "After agreeing to allow Ukrainian troops to retreat from Russian encirclement on Ukrainian territory, the Russian army fired at the Ukrainians like fish in a barrel as they fled."

Andriy Senchenko, a Ukrainian politician, led a parliamentary inquiry into the incident. The inquiry concluded that at least 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers died during the fighting. The Ukraine government described the battle as a massacre and a soldier who survived it told the Kyiv Independent it was a "real meat grinder."

Reports claim that the Russian 331st Guards Airborne Regiment was destroyed after coming under fire from Ukrainian forces. The regiment is part of the 98th Guard Airborne Division and had around 2000 soldiers along with over 200 armored fighting vehicles. The regiment's commander, Colonel Sergey Sukharev, was also confirmed as killed during the fierce battle that raged near Kyiv on March 17, according to local reports. His death was confirmed by the Russian regional state TV network GTRK Kostroma. The Regional Military Commissariat acknowledged the commander's death along with four other soldiers from the regiment, saying they "gave their lives for the security of [Russia]."

According to the TV and radio company, senior sergeant Sergei Lebedev, sergeant Alexander Limonov, corporal Yuri Degtyarev and captain Alexei Nikitin were killed. “Captain Alexei Nikitin died in the line of duty – Kostroma served in one of the military units of Anapa,” the website of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Kostroma said. The TV and radio company reported that Governor Sergei Sitnikov expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

October 29, 1995