45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Brigade of the Airborne Forces. The special forces of the Airborne Forces are the elite of the Russian armed forces. Episodes of recent history
Hello! Today we will touch on such a topic as military service under contract in the Airborne Forces of Russia. Namely, we will consider such issues as vacancies under a contract in the Airborne Forces in 2017, the monetary allowance of those who serve under a contract in the airborne troops, as well as the conditions for serving under a contract in the Airborne Forces for military personnel and their families. A separate place in our article will be occupied by reviews of contract servicemen in the Airborne Forces.
Contract service in the Airborne Forces regiments, divisions, military units, brigades
Contract service in the Airborne Forces is a job for real men!
At the moment, the structural strength of the Airborne Forces includes four full-fledged divisions, as well as separate regiments, airborne and airborne assault brigades.
For those who nevertheless decided to connect their lives, or at least part of it, with service in the Airborne Forces, I highly recommend studying the composition of the Airborne Forces and the locations of units and subunits of the Russian Airborne Forces.
So, according to official information from the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation mil.ru, the Airborne Forces consists of:
- 76th Guards Air Assault Division, Pskov location:
- military unit 32515 104th Guards Air Assault Regiment
- military unit 74268 234th Guards Air Assault Regiment
- military unit 45377 1140 artillery regiment and others
- military unit 65451 98th Guards Airborne Division, located in Ivanovo:
- military unit 62295 217 Guards Airborne Regiment
- military unit 71211 331st Guards Airborne Regiment (located in Kostroma)
- military unit 62297 1065th Red Banner Guards Artillery Regiment (located in Kostroma)
- military unit 65391 215th separate guards reconnaissance company and others
- 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division, location - Novorossiysk:
- military unit 42091 108 air assault regiment
- military unit 54801 247 air assault regiment (location Stavropol)
- military unit 40515 1141 artillery regiment (location of Anapa) and others
- 106th Guards Airborne Division - Tula:
- military unit 41450 137 parachute regiment
- military unit 33842 51 parachute regiment
- military unit 93723 1182 artillery regiment (location Naro-Fominsk) and others
Regiments and brigades of the Airborne Forces:
- military unit 32364 11th separate guards airborne brigade, stationed in the city of Ulan-Ude
- military unit 28337 45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Brigade - Moscow
- 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Place of deployment - the city of Kamyshin
- military unit 73612 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Located in Ulyanovsk
- military unit 71289 83rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade. Location - Ussuriysk
- military unit 54164 38th Separate Guards Communications Regiment of the Airborne Forces. Located in the Moscow region, in the village of Medvezhye Ozera
Cuban contract service in the special forces of the Airborne Forces in the 45th special forces brigade
Let's start with the brigade, in which, apparently, every second candidate seeks to get a job to serve under the contract. Namely, in the 45th brigade (regiment) of the Airborne Forces. In order not to be repeated, I will immediately give a link to the material, where we have already told everything about this military unit in an article for contract service in Moscow and the Moscow Region
Contract service in the Tula Airborne Forces
For many, the contract in the Airborne Forces has become a good springboard and a good lesson in life.
The next most popular is the 106th Guards Airborne Division, which is located in the hero city of Tula. Full name 106th Guards Airborne Tula Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Division.
The division has the following units:
- parachute regiments
- communications department,
- material support unit (MTO),
- medical team,
- engineering division
Accordingly, there are quite a lot of military posts for contract service in the 106th Airborne Division.
Contract servicemen serving on a contract basis in the Airborne Forces in the city of Tula during their service live in separate living quarters (cubes) for 4-6 soldiers. Those who do not want to live on the territory of the unit, as well as family soldiers, have the right to rent housing in the city itself. In this case, they are paid monetary compensation for the sublease of housing.
Also, each serviceman can use the accumulative mortgage system to solve their housing problems.
Since the unit is located in the city itself, there are no problems for the employment of members of the families of military personnel here.
Contract service Airborne Forces Ryazan
Those who wish to serve in the Airborne Forces in Ryazan should contact the 137th Airborne Regiment of military unit 41450 Regiment address: Ryazan - 7 Oktyabrsky Gorodok
The conditions for entering the contract in the Airborne Regiment are the same as for other candidates for the contract.
In 137 RAPs, in addition to regular units, for example, RAPs, there are:
Military unit 41450 has a club, a library, a museum of military glory, a stadium and a sports hall.
A garrison military hospital operates on the territory of the Ryazan garrison.
There are also no problems for the employment of family members of contract servicemen. The military unit is located within the city limits. Accordingly, all social guarantees to servicemen from the side of the state are carried out in full.
The next place for future contractors to serve is the oldest formation of the Airborne Forces, namely the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division, located in the city of military glory Pskov.
As part of the 76 Guards. DShD has the following divisions:
- three air assault regiments
- Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment
- separate reconnaissance battalion
- separate communications battalion
- repair and restoration battalion and others
The conditions of service and life of military personnel under the contract are the same as in other military units of the Airborne Forces
Contract service Airborne Forces Ulyanovsk
For those who have chosen to serve in the Airborne Forces and also live or are ready to move to the city of Ulyanovsk, they are lucky, because the 31st Separate Guards Airborne Assault Brigade (31 ODSHBr) is located here, military unit 73612 address Ulyanovsk, 3rd Engineering travel
The 31 Airborne Brigade includes:
- paratrooper and air assault battalions
- artillery battalion
- engineering sapper company
Since 2005, all units of the brigade have been staffed exclusively by military personnel under the contract.
Back in 2016, the then commander of the Airborne Forces, Vladimir Shamanov, announced that during 2017, the 97th Airborne Assault Regiment would be recreated in Dzhankoy, Crimea. But so far there is no information about this.
Monetary allowance of military personnel under contract in the Airborne Forces
In addition to the basic payments that are due to each serviceman of the Russian Army, the Airborne Forces are entitled to additional payments to paratroopers, namely, in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation No. that the serviceman has fulfilled the norm of parachute jumps established by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation for the past year.
For military personnel, for each complicated parachute jump, the amount of the allowance increases by 1 percent.
It is worth noting that in the 45th brigade (regiment) of the Airborne Forces, military personnel receive an additional 50% of the salary for military service in a special forces unit.
Airborne contract service reviews
Our Airborne Troops are rapidly developing. More and more new models of modern military equipment are being put into service. And this means that professional military personnel will also be constantly required in the Airborne Forces.
Regarding the reviews, I would like to say that it depends on the military unit where the service will take place, and sometimes on the military itself. What can you say about this? How is your Airborne contract?
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45th Guards Special Forces Brigade of the Airborne Forces
A report by a correspondent who was lucky enough to get into the location of a unit of the 45th Airborne Special Forces Brigade.
There are no random people in the special forces, they come here only of their own free will. At the same time, not everyone who has expressed a desire to become a special forces soldier is accepted into the special forces unit.
“The selection of future special forces from among the conscripts begins with the study of their personal files,” says lieutenant colonel Vladimir Fridlender, deputy commander of the brigade for work with personnel of the guard. - The officers of the brigade for this purpose specially go to the military registration and enlistment offices. If possible, already there, on the ground, with those young men who have expressed a desire to serve in the special forces, conversations are held, their moral and business qualities are studied, and the level of physical fitness is checked.
Before being called up to other units, recruits do not pass physical training standards. However, the 45th Special Forces Brigade of the Airborne Forces is a special unit, with much higher requirements for strength, speed, agility and endurance of a fighter.
As you know, conscripts in military registration and enlistment offices undergo psychological tests. However, upon arrival from the military registration and enlistment office to the 45th brigade, each recruit is tested again. It is extremely important to identify in advance the guys who are not up to the heaviest loads that fall to the lot of a fighter of a special forces unit. After all, they will be able to master another military specialty in the Airborne Forces or another form or branch of the Armed Forces. Rigid selection is in the interests of both conscripts, and the 45th brigade, and the army as a whole.
Productive selection for special forces is facilitated by the active interaction of the brigade command with the military-patriotic clubs of the country, especially with the main military-patriotic organization - DOSAAF of Russia. For example, in the Belgorod region, young men are successfully trained for service in the Airborne Forces; Belgorod graduates of the DOSAAF school last year staffed a whole company of the 45th brigade.
Those wishing to enter the 45th Airborne Brigade under a contract, if before that they served in other airborne or airborne assault units, they know the requirements of the special forces "input control" from the very beginning, since the officers of the brigade, leaving for other units and formations of the winged guard, about they are told in detail. It is more difficult for those who come from units of other branches of the armed forces and types of the Armed Forces or from a “civilian”.
Upon arrival at the brigade, the contract candidate passes physical training, then psychological testing is immediately carried out with him. The main task when accepting physical training tests is to objectively reveal the possibilities and potential of the candidate. After exercises for speed (running 100 m), strength (pulling up on the bar) and endurance (running 3 km), three fights are held in sparring for three minutes. This is where strong-willed qualities are revealed: this is when a candidate, having missed a blow, falls, but then gets up and continues to fight to the end.
“There are quite a lot of cases when we have to report to the military enlistment office that the recommended candidate is not suitable for us,” Lieutenant Colonel Fridlender says with regret. - The military registration and enlistment offices should be more strict in the selection of candidates for our brigade.
Careful selection of personnel, a healthy moral situation in the brigade units and, of course, care from the state contribute to the fact that about 90 percent of contractors enter into repeated contracts.
Of the benefits - an increased salary, taking into account various allowances (for the implementation of the skydiving program, for the successful completion of physical training standards, etc.), the possibility of distance learning at Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov and other leading universities in Moscow, the right to a mortgage after the conclusion of the second contract. On average, an ordinary under a contract, having served for three years, receives 35-40 thousand rubles a month.
To serve in the special forces from year to year as a private or contract sergeant or an officer without a love for military craft is almost unrealistic. In addition, having fully experienced the hardships and hardships in training sessions, when you have to hide in an ambush for several days, and when performing combat missions, special forces groups become monolithic teams from which you don’t want to leave. Does the average young compatriot have many friends and acquaintances with whom you can go on reconnaissance? In the age of gadgets and the dominance of correspondence communication by phone, Skype or social networks, young people have forgotten how to communicate live, not just to be friends. Getting into trouble, they may think about the value of friends who can rush to the rescue, especially if there are no such friends. And in the special forces group, everyone is ready to pull a wounded comrade out of hell or even lay down their lives for their friends.
And in general, the brigade is one family, where they never leave their own. And after being wounded, many are looking for a position, in every possible way helping to find a worthy and feasible job again. So it was, for example, with the cavalier of two Orders of Courage, ensign Vadim Selyukin, who lost his legs while performing a combat mission. Now he is the captain of the Russian Paralympic sledge hockey team.
Practice convinces: even the advanced technology of the 21st century will not completely replace ground-based deep reconnaissance, it will not detract from the capabilities and role of a reconnaissance fighter
In the special forces they jokingly say: “Arrived at the place - everything is just beginning”.
Ejection behind enemy lines by parachute is just one of the options for delivering scouts to the place of the mission. Of course, this method is not easy and requires concentration from the soldier when studying a set of actions called airborne training.
The brigade makes parachute jumps D-10, "Crossbow-1" and "Crossbow-2", and the last two systems have a planning dome-"wing" Landing by parachute in the special forces of the Airborne Forces is taught on any surface: field, forest, roof of a building , a pond ... Jumps are made during the day, at night and in difficult weather conditions. Therefore, airborne training in the 45th brigade is one of the main subjects of training. Combat training begins with her as an ordinary paratrooper, as well as a commando of the Airborne Forces.
- Airborne training includes the study of materiel - a parachute and safety devices, packing a parachute and classes at an airborne complex, where elements of a jump, actions in the air, preparation for landing and the landing itself are practiced, - explains the deputy commander of the airborne training brigade Guard Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Rekun.
Recruits, as well as those who decided to link their fate with the special forces of the Airborne Forces, signed a contract, but had never jumped with a parachute before, they are preparing for the first jump for two weeks.
The laying of the D-10 parachutes takes place in 6 stages, the paratroopers lay the parachute together, the dynamics of the laying is controlled by the commanders of the units and the officer of the Air Force. At each stage, triple control is mandatory, almost like in the preparation of an astronaut. There is no room for error, because a person will be alone in the air and there will be no one to tell him anything.
Of the two parachute systems used by the brigade, the D-10 is easier to stow and operate in the air. The technique of preparing for jumping with this parachute has long been worked out.
“A serviceman, leaving the aircraft, has a neutral canopy, that is, a parachute that does not move horizontally or (during the wind) almost does not move,” Lieutenant Colonel Rekun explains to the guards. – Accordingly, the paratrooper's drop point differs little from the landing point: it is a vertical. By and large, nothing depends on the parachutist: where he was thrown, there he will land.
"Crossbow" has a different quality. From a kilometer of altitude, you can go 4-5 km to the side, using only the performance characteristics of a parachute, in complete calm. With a strong wind, a paratrooper from a kilometer height will be able to move away from the drop point by 6–7 km.
D-10 is designed for mass landing. And any special forces soldier first masters self-control in the air on this parachute.
In the future, according to the instructions of the commander of the Airborne Forces, Hero of Russia, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov, after 25 jumps on the D-10, the serviceman is allowed to operate the Crossbow. At the same time, at least seven jumps must be long.
“Preparation for jumping with Arbalet-2 lasts about 20 days,” says Oleg Dmitrievich. - The special forces are studying the materiel in a new way, learning to pack a parachute and mastering actions in the air on the airborne complex.
Owning "Crossbow" in the 45th brigade as much as it should be. There are virtuosos among them. From a height of about 4000 m, they flew, planning, for 17 kilometers. Currently, pilot operation of oxygen equipment is being carried out, which in the future, when put into service, will allow landing from a height of more than 4 km. Accordingly, the planning distance will also increase.
“In addition to the Arbalet-1, the brigade also has the Arbalet-2 parachute system, which is easier to operate,” Lieutenant Colonel Rekun continues the story of the guard. - A stabilizing system is rigidly mounted on it, which works automatically, which guarantees the parachutist who has left the plane or helicopter, in case of emergency, rotation only in the horizontal plane. Random falling with vertical rotation is thus excluded.
But on Arbalet-1, instead of a stabilizing system, the so-called “soft jellyfish” is used, which the parachutist puts into action himself, after which the opening of the main parachute begins. And for jumping on the "Crossbow-1" a soldier needs to be prepared even longer, taking into account the fact that the paratrooper is thrown out with weapons, equipment and cargo containers.
Military tests of the Arbalet-2 parachute system took place on the basis of the 45th brigade. In the equipment of each specialty that is in the Airborne Forces, taking into account the characteristics of its weapons and equipment, they made at least 10 jumps. That is, the special forces dressed either as signalmen, or as sappers, or as grenade launchers, etc. There were fewer people in the selected group than there were specialties. As a result, each during the tests performed about 180 jumps. Well, the unconditional record holders are members of the non-standard sports parachute team of the formation. It consists of four Honored Masters of Sports, one of them has already made more than 11 thousand jumps.
The combat training program requires each member of the special forces brigade to complete at least 10 jumps per year. "Crossbowmen" jump with their parachutes, the rest - from the D-10. The tasks involved are very different.
In the 45th brigade, the unit commanders insistently remind the fighters: "Where shooting begins, reconnaissance ends there". Especially deep. It is the collection of intelligence that is the main task of special forces groups. Quietly, observing the rules of camouflage, detecting an object without noise and shots, transmitting its coordinates and leaving in the same silent way - this is the spetsnaz handwriting.
However, today it is possible to detect the desired object of the enemy with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles or from satellites. Can the advanced technology of the 21st century replace ground-based deep reconnaissance?
– Absolutely unlikely. Firstly, a special-purpose group will still direct strike weapons at a number of strategic facilities, ”said Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Seliverstov, deputy commander of the 45th brigade, Hero of Russia Guards. - Secondly, after air operations and artillery preparation, a ground operation will still begin, where special forces will be involved in the first place, which will have sabotage and ambush operations. Special forces always work targeted...
- In recent years, the list of tasks assigned to the special forces has increased significantly, - continues Vladimir Vyacheslavovich. “Some I never thought before that they would become ours.
The expansion of the range of tasks affects the content of combat training, it is changing. However, the main basis of the special forces has been and remains unchanged. This, according to the deep conviction of the Guard Lieutenant Colonel Seliverstov, is discipline. Fire, physical, tactical-special, engineering training in relation to discipline is a superstructure. With insufficient, for example, tactical and special training, special forces are bad. In the absence of discipline, there is no special forces at all.
“Discipline,” says the deputy brigade commander, “is accuracy, punctuality in everything: in time, place and actions.
In the 45th Separate Guards Brigade, discipline is not a cane - it is conscious. Including because every commando knows that violators are not kept in this part. As the commander of the brigade Hero of Russia Guards Colonel Vadim Pankov later explained
A serviceman who has to be punished for misconduct should not and will not serve in the 45th Special Purpose Brigade.
Another quality that a special forces officer must possess is initiative, a willingness to make decisions.
The principles of teaching are known: from theory to practice, from simple to complex. Practical classes are held on different terrain day and night. A spetsnaz soldier spends at least half of his working time in the field.
Of the new weapons in the brigade - BTR-82A, drones and something else. Everything is in perfect working order.
“What was in the 45th regiment ten years ago and what has appeared now is heaven and earth,” Lieutenant Colonel Seliverstov, who served in the 45th “economy” for 15 years, ascertains the guards.
When in the early 2000s the unit solved problems in the Caucasus, the officers invested personal funds in the equipment of the fighters, Vladimir Vyacheslavovich recalls. Now the personnel are fully provided with clothing and equipment.
“The equipment is very decent,” notes the deputy brigade commander. - Of course, there is no limit to perfection, but even now a fighter, for example, has a choice of uniforms taking into account weather conditions, which allows him to complete the task and maintain his health. The same can be said about nutrition. In clothing and food provision, shifts are noticeable to anyone.
- In August 2008, the personnel of the brigade participated in the operation to force Georgia to peace.
- At that time, the story of the capture of off-road vehicles that the Americans supplied to the Georgian army received a great response. So, these trophies are on the account of the special forces of the Airborne Forces.
- In April 2010, the battalion tactical group of the brigade ensured the safe evacuation of our fellow citizens, including members of the families of military personnel and civilian personnel, due to unrest on the territory of Kyrgyzstan.
- In the spring of 2014, the personnel of the brigade, as part of a separate reconnaissance detachment, took part in the operation to return Crimea to Russia.
- The names of 14 Heroes of Russia are inscribed in the annals of the 45th brigade. Four of them continue to serve in this glorious unit. Five servicemen of the 45th brigade were awarded three Orders of Courage.
45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Regiment of the Airborne Forces
The 45th Separate Guards Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces (45th Guards OPSN Airborne Forces) was formed in February 1994 on the basis of the 218th ODSHB and the 901st ODSHB.
The 901st ODSHB was formed on the basis of the order of the Chief of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces in the territory of the Transcaucasian Military District by the end of the 70s.
Then this battalion was moved to Czechoslovakia, where it was included in the structure of the Central Group of Forces. On November 20, 1979, the Oremov Laz garrison in Slovenia became the new location of 901 ODSHB in Slovenia (some sources indicate the garrison in Riechka as the location).
The battalion was equipped with approximately 30 BMD-1 combat assault vehicles. In March 1989, the number of TsGV troops began to decrease, and this process affected 901 ODSHB. At the turn of March and April, the entire battalion was moved to the Latvian Aluksne, where it was enrolled in the PribVO.
1979 - formed on the territory of the Transcaucasian Military District as the 901st separate airborne assault battalion
1979 - transferred to the Central Group of Forces in Czechoslovakia
1989 - transferred to the Baltic Military District (Aluksne)
May 1991 - transferred to the Transcaucasian Military District (Sukhumi)
August 1992 - transferred to the headquarters of the Airborne Forces and renamed the 901st separate airborne battalion
1992 - transferred as a separate battalion to the 7th Guards Airborne Division
1993 - during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, he performed tasks for the protection and defense of military and state facilities on the territory of Abkhazia
October 1993 - transferred to the Moscow region
February 1994 - reorganized into the 901st separate special-purpose battalion
February 1994 - transferred to the newly formed 45th Separate Special Purpose Regiment (VDV)
In 1972, the 778th separate special-purpose radio company of 85 people was formed as part of the Airborne Forces. The main task of this unit was to drive the landing aviation to the drop point, for which the groups of this company had to land ahead of time behind enemy lines and deploy the drive equipment there. In 1975, the company was reorganized into the 778th OR REP, and in February 1980 - into the 899th separate special-purpose company with 117 people. In 1988, the 899th Special Forces Special Forces was reorganized into the 899th Special Forces Company (with a staff of 105 people) as part of the 196th Airborne Forces Ops. Later, the company was deployed to the 218th separate air assault battalion.
July 25, 1992 - formed in the Moscow Military District. The points of permanent deployment were in the Moscow region.
June-July 1992 - took part as a peacekeeping force in Transnistria
September-October 1992 - took part as a peacekeeping force in North Ossetia
December 1992 - took part as a peacekeeping force in Abkhazia
February 1994 - transferred to the newly formed 45th separate special-purpose regiment of the Airborne Forces
By July 1994, the regiment was fully formed and completed. By order of the Commander of the Airborne Forces, in order of historical continuity, the day of the formation of the 45th regiment is indicated to be the day of the formation of the 218th battalion - July 25, 1992.
On December 2, 1994, the regiment was transferred to Chechnya to participate in the liquidation of illegal armed groups. The units of the regiment took part in the hostilities until February 12, 1995, when the regiment was transferred back to its place of permanent deployment in the Moscow region. From March 15 to June 13, 1995, a combined detachment of the regiment operated in Chechnya.
On July 30, 1995, an obelisk was opened on the territory of the regiment's deployment in Sokolniki in honor of the soldiers of the regiment who died during the hostilities.
On May 9, 1995, for services to the Russian Federation, the regiment was awarded a diploma of the President of the Russian Federation, and the military personnel of the regiment as part of the combined battalion of the Airborne Forces took part in the parade on Poklonnaya Hill dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany.
From February to May 1997, the regiment's combined detachment was in Gudauta as part of a peacekeeping mission in the zone of separation of the Georgian and Abkhaz armed forces.
On July 26, 1997, the regiment was awarded the Combat Banner and Certificate of the 5th Guards Airborne Rifle Order of Mukachevo Order of Kutuzov III degree regiment, disbanded on June 27, 1945.
On May 1, 1998, the regiment was renamed the 45th Separate Reconnaissance Regiment of the Airborne Forces. The 901st Separate Special Purpose Battalion was disbanded in the spring of 1998;
From September 1999 to March 2006, the combined reconnaissance detachment of the regiment took part in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.
On February 2, 2001, the regiment was awarded the pennant of the Minister of Defense "for courage, military prowess and high combat skills."
On August 8, 2001, on the territory of the regiment in Kubinka, in the presence of the commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Georgy Shpak, a new memorial complex was opened in memory of the soldiers of the regiment who died in combat missions. Every year, on January 8, the regiment celebrates the Day of Remembrance for the fallen soldiers.
In April-July 2005, it was decided to transfer to the 45th regiment the Battle Banner, the title of "Guards" and the Order of Alexander Nevsky, which belonged to the 119th Guards Airborne Regiment, which was disbanded in the same year. The solemn ceremony of the transfer of distinctions took place on August 2, 2005.
In 2007, the 218th separate special-purpose battalion was reorganized into a linear one, having lost its numbering and the status of a separate military unit. Since that time, the regiment consists of two line battalions.
The name of the 45th separate regiment of the special purpose of the Airborne Forces was returned to the regiment.
In August 2008, units of the regiment took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace. The officer of the regiment, Hero of Russia Anatoly Lebed was awarded the Order of St. George IV degree.
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The 45th regiment is one of the youngest units of the Russian army; it was formed on the basis of the 218th and 901st special-purpose battalions, which celebrated their tenth anniversary this year. During the years of the Cold War, when the troops were preparing for a "fight to the fullest", using weapons of mass destruction, the army special forces had to solve the corresponding tasks. These units were intended for deep reconnaissance and sabotage (primarily against nuclear facilities) behind enemy lines. And if necessary, they could ensure the landing of troops on enemy territory. Despite the fact that the Special Forces of the Airborne Forces was created after the end of the Cold War, it is fully prepared to solve such problems in the interests of the Airborne Forces. But this is only one side of the coin.
non-lethal weapon
Since the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan, our Armed Forces have been continuously involved in various wars and conflicts. So, by the time the formation of the 45th regiment began, the scouts of the Airborne Forces had accumulated a wealth of combat experience. And this experience, together with rethought foreign developments (a lot was borrowed from the British SAS, including the motto "The strongest wins"), was fully implemented when creating a new part. So the main task of the Special Forces of the Airborne Forces is to solve any problems in the conditions of local conflicts. In this sense, the 45th regiment is unique, the only unit in the Russian Armed Forces that has everything necessary for this. In addition to two special-purpose battalions, it includes a detachment of unmanned aerial vehicles, a detachment of psychological operations, and a special detachment, staffed only by officers, ensigns and contract soldiers, designed to solve extremely complex and especially responsible tasks. Including anti-terrorist ones. A sort of "mini-Alpha" for the destruction of terrorists at the facilities of the Ministry of Defense.
The purpose of psychological operations is to disorientate, demoralize the enemy, undermine faith in victory, and force him to end resistance. In addition, the population of the combat area, neutral or hostile, can be the object of psychological operations. The significance of the psychological impact on the enemy has been great throughout military history, but it has especially increased in our information age. Especially in "low-intensity" conflicts, where there is no front line, and the definition of people on the basis of "friend or foe" can be very arbitrary. This is well understood, for example, by the Americans, who annually spend several times more on "non-lethal weapons" than on nuclear weapons. And this approach pays off. Take, for example, the actions of US troops in Panama and Haiti, where the forces of psychological operations played a decisive role.
The Russian Armed Forces are seriously lagging behind the West in these matters. All the more valuable is the unique experience of the psychological warfare unit created within the 45th regiment.
In addition to a field printing press and equipment with sound amplification equipment, the psychological operations detachment has a television station capable of broadcasting and rebroadcasting programs within a radius of 10 km. There is a small studio where you can edit and sound a TV program. All equipment is located in GAZ-66 kungs, which ensures high mobility and efficiency of work. Thus, the detachment has serious opportunities to influence public opinion in the combat zone.
What can special forces do?
But the core of the 45th regiment is, of course, spetsnaz units. In this sense, the part did not arise from scratch. The 218th and 901st special-purpose battalions brought into it already had considerable experience and brilliant victories behind them. So the fighters of the 218th battalion carried out the operation of "peace enforcement", which, in fact, put an end to the bloody Transnistrian conflict. The 901st battalion was stationed in Sukhumi just before the beginning of the Georgian-Abkhazian war, and immediately found itself in the very epicenter of the unfolding events. The paratroopers ensured the evacuation of refugees - mainly vacationers caught in the war.
But, fortunately, the special forces have the opportunity to prove themselves not only in such a dramatic environment. For several years in a row, at the international special forces competitions that take place in Bulgaria, the soldiers of the 45th regiment take first place, far leaving behind both the Green Berets and the SAS team.
Forge of universal soldiers
The main contingent of special forces battalions are conscripts. If a few years ago the officers of the regiment had the opportunity to choose the best among the conscripts, today the situation has changed. A quota has been set for the special forces of the Airborne Forces - up to 10% of the recruits sent to the regiment may have a criminal record. The officers of the regiment state that compared to previous years, recruits are less and less consistent with the level required for service in special forces. Until quite recently, almost all recruits had sports ranks, but today there are only a few of them. Previously, almost every third had a higher or secondary technical education. And now a recruit with a completed secondary is already a gift.
But even from such problematic material, the regiment is made into a super-soldier in the full sense of the word. First of all, a recruit undergoes a series of psychological tests and physical tests here to determine his degree of readiness for service in special forces. Depending on his personal characteristics, his future military specialty is determined. For example, people who are calm, balanced and psychologically stable, phlegmatic, are the best suited to work as a sniper or a sapper. Some of the recruits are screened out immediately - they fall into support units, or are transferred to other units.
Then the training begins. To say that service in special forces is "not honey" is, in general, almost nothing to say. March throws are replaced by night shooting, flowing into tactical exercises, which end with facade climbing, or, say, sapper training. Not everyone can stand this rhythm either. As a result, after six months, no more than 40% of the “young” remain in spetsnaz companies: someone himself begins to ask for a transfer to another unit, someone is expelled by the commander. The vacancies that have arisen are filled by the best fighters of the airborne divisions. And by the end of the first year of service, the green “newbies” turn out to be competent fighters who are able to perform any task, who are fluent in weapons, means of communication and subversive equipment.
I must say that, despite the huge workload, those who want to get into the 45th are not getting smaller. Firstly, young guys are simply interested here. Secondly, the prestige of service in the special forces of the Airborne Forces is very high. And, thirdly, there is no "hazing" in its classical form. The officers of the regiment are convinced that human dignity and self-respect are the necessary qualities of a special forces officer, who, due to the specifics of his service, is obliged to take responsibility and show initiative. And the person is broken, psychologically depressed, for intelligence - ballast. And, finally, the very fact of serving in the 45th separate is an excellent recommendation for entering the service in other law enforcement agencies to work in the security service or security structure.
From Chechnya to Sokolniki
The precious combat experience accumulated by the regiment, as is usually the case with us, is almost not in demand. But the command of the regiment decides this issue on its own. Fortunately, the psychological operations detachment has its own printing house - the special forces print their own instructions and training manuals. In addition, a certain training center arose on the basis of the regiment, where not only paratroopers are trained.
Today, when full-scale hostilities in Chechnya have ceased, the role of special forces capable of effectively conducting raids, searches and other reconnaissance activities is increasing many times over. Consequently, the withdrawal of the 45th regiment from Chechnya is not expected in the foreseeable future.
Now the special forces operate as part of a combined detachment stationed in the mountainous part of the republic near the village of Khatuni. This place, where the Vedeno and Sharoargun gorges meet, is of great importance. Therefore, the responsibility is great, and the range of tasks solved by the combined detachment is wide. In addition to the fighters of the Special Forces of the Airborne Forces, it includes units of the FSB, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Internal Troops and the Ministry of Justice. All have their own functions within the framework of a common task. Combat coordination begins even in preparation for the planned replacement, on the basis of the 45th regiment. The main emphasis is on special tactical and fire training, as well as on life support issues. The loads are very significant - in three months of training, fighters lose from 5 to 8 kg of weight, despite the fact that they receive enhanced nutrition.
It is known that SOBRs and riot police in the Caucasus very often have to perform tasks that are not characteristic of them. As the experience of the "Khatuninsky" detachment shows, employees of police special forces, after joint training with their fellow paratroopers, successfully operate in emergency, "non-police" situations. In addition, having met and made friends before arriving in Chechnya, having worked out in detail all aspects of the upcoming operations, people act as a single team. Regardless of departmental subordination.
Part of the units of the regiment is stationed in Sokolniki in the barracks of the Preobrazhensky regiment. But not only this circumstance makes the special forces fight for the high honor of being officially called the "Preobrazhensky Regiment".
As you know, the Preobrazhensky Regiment was the first regiment of the regular army of Russia. And the 45th is also, in a sense, the first regiment of the Armed Forces of the future, which has yet to be created. This is both a completely new, comprehensive approach to solving problems, and a completely different attitude towards personnel, not as consumables, but as professionals of great value. It is known that Peter I considered his "amusing" as the backbone of the future Russian army. A separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, like the old Preobrazhensky Regiment, became a forge of experienced special forces officers. Many of those who went through his school today serve in Alpha, Vympel, Omega, and other special forces of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, and the FPS. But along with this, officers who have served in the regiment for several years do not want to be transferred to other units, even though career opportunities in the regiment are very limited. Indeed, for many, he is a real family, to break the connection with which they cannot and do not want to.
A special psychological climate has developed in the unit, the leading values of which are absolute professionalism, corporatism, one might even say nepotism in the best sense of the word. This is best seen in the example of those who have retired. Those of them who have managed to get a good job in life have taken on the material support of the warring in Chechnya today. Thanks to their "sponsorship", the special forces are probably best equipped in the group: jackets and trousers made of membrane fabrics, light warm sleeping bags, comfortable waterproof boots, modern optics and night vision devices, communications equipment.
But veterans of the regiment help not only with money. There was also such a case: by the winter of 1999, the time had come to replace the fighters who had been fighting in the Caucasus since the rebel invasion of Dagestan. But there was really no one to change. In the "interwar period" the regiment was reduced by one battalion, and most of the personnel were in Chechnya. The situation is critical: you can’t send just called up and untrained soldiers to war?
Then, retired veterans of the regiment decided to "shake the old days" and help their native regiment. Leaving prestigious, highly paid places, signing semi-annual contracts, and forming their own special group, they went to the Caucasus. The first thing for them was the battle near Zandag, where the "veteran" group occupied an important height and repelled fierce enemy attacks for four hours. Thanks to the veterans, the regiment got the opportunity to be understaffed and qualitatively prepare a replacement.
For all ten years of its existence, the special forces of the Airborne Forces have not come out of wars. Transnistria, Abkhazia, Dagestan, both Chechen campaigns, Bosnia, Kosovo - not one armed conflict can do without the participation of fighters of the 45th separate. During this time, there was everything: the pennant of the Minister of Defense "for courage and military prowess" and five heroes of Russia from among the fighters of the regiment. There were, oddly enough, moments when various accusations were made against the unit.
But, in spite of everything, the regiment was, is and remains the true elite of the Russian Army. And in the second campaign, the special forces of the Airborne Forces proved to be the best. Dozens of destroyed gangs and discovered bases of militants, hundreds of gun barrels, kilograms of explosives and drugs seized from secret warehouses - all this was included in the track record of the Separate Intelligence. This combat unit now lives and develops solely thanks to the enthusiasm, and even the "quixoticism" of its officers. The result of their labors is a perfectly functioning combat organism, a universal tool for solving the most difficult tasks. A real regiment of the future.
Sergey SMIRNOV
The story continues...
In order to preserve military traditions in September 2005, the regiment was given the Battle Banner, an honorary name and a state award of the disbanded 119th Guards Airborne Order of Alexander Nevsky Regiment. Since that time, the regiment became known as the 45th Separate Guards Order of Alexander Nevsky Reconnaissance Regiment.
On February 1, 2008, the 45th Separate Reconnaissance Regiment was reorganized into the 45th Separate Guards Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment.
In August 2008, units of the regiment took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace. The officer of the regiment Hero of Russia Anatoly Lebed was awarded the Order of St. George IV degree for the skill and courage shown in this operation.
On July 20, 2009, in accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 18, 2006 No. 1422, the St. George banner was awarded to the regiment as an official symbol and military relic, the personification of honor, glory and military traditions.
In April 2010, the battalion tactical group of the 45th regiment carried out a combat mission to ensure the security of citizens of the Russian Federation, including members of the families of military personnel and civilian personnel, on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
For courage and heroism shown in the performance of command assignments, more than two thousand servicemen were awarded state awards. 10 servicemen of the regiment were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. These are Lieutenant Colonel Vadim Alekseevich Gridnev, Senior Lieutenant Vitaly Yuryevich Ermakov (posthumously), Captain Zhidkov Dmitry Vasilyevich (posthumously), Private Lays Alexander Viktorovich (posthumously), Captain Lebed Anatoly Vyacheslavovich, Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Anatolyevich Nepryakhin, Lieutenant Colonel Vadim Ivanovich Pankov, Colonel Aleksey Viktorovich Romanov , Captain Rumyantsev Alexey Viktorovich (posthumously), Major Yatsenko Pyotr Karlovich (posthumously).
Scouts of the 45th Separate Guards Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment are true to the glorious combat traditions of the Airborne Forces and their motto: "The strongest wins!"
In April 2011, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the 45th Separate Guards Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment of the Airborne Forces was the first in the modern history of Russia to be awarded the Order of Kutuzov. The regiment was awarded this high award for the successful fulfillment of combat missions of the command and the courage and heroism shown by the personnel.
In the 45th separate regiment (now expanded into a brigade) of the special forces of the Airborne Forces in Kubinka, the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the Airborne Forces was held. As always, the paratroopers put on an interesting show. A solemn rally with the laying of flowers to and rewarding those who distinguished themselves, a solemn march, music and songs of the Airborne Forces, demonstration performances by paratroopers with the obligatory breaking of bricks with their hands. The highlight of the holiday was an imitation of a battle to capture a militant base on enemy territory with the release of a hostage. Scouts, climbers, troops, armored personnel carriers, anti-tank systems and even a tank took part in the battle! Congratulations on the 85th anniversary of the Airborne Forces!
The photos are clickable, with geographic coordinates and binding to the Yandex map, 08/02/2015.
1. Solemn formation of the unit 
2. By tradition, the celebration of the Airborne Forces Day begins with a solemn rally and the laying of flowers at 
3. Command 
4. Passage in a solemn march, the banner group leads the passage 
5.
6. Znamenny group 
7. After the solemn march, while preparations are underway for a simulated battle to free a hostage from a militant camp, military songs and the unofficial anthem of the Airborne Forces are played 
8. Militant camp, bandits have fun: someone is training in throwing knives and axes, while others are dancing lezginka under "Black Eyes" 
9. And at this time, the scouts descend from the cliff in the rear of the militants (the wall of the barracks acts as mountains) 
10.
11. The militants are on the alert and the service is set for them - sentries are watching. But our scouts are secretly approaching the sentries... 
12. ... and take them off 
13. At this time, the sniper is destroyed by the leader of the militants (he is free with a pistol in his hand) and eliminate the danger to the hostage, whom the bandits hastily take to the house 
14. The capture group is landing from the Mi-8 helicopter (in the role of the Mi-8 - the Ural car) 
15. Demonstration of combat techniques (a slight digression from the imitation of the capture of the militant base) 
16. Each paratrooper is tested by an armored personnel carrier (a slight digression from the imitation of the capture of a militant base) 
17. And now the landing using an armored personnel carrier is fighting to capture the militant base 
18. Demonstration of the reception "Carousel" 
19.
20.
21. Unfortunately, a paratrooper was wounded during the battle, he is being evacuated to provide medical care 
22. The surviving militants hid in the building and its assault and cleaning begins 
23. Under the cover of an armored personnel carrier, medical assistance is provided to a wounded soldier 
24. The hostage has been released and is being evacuated 
25. The militants called for help and a tank arrived to support them! - He's on the right. But the paratroopers, using a requisitioned SUV (and they are now in the rear of enemy territory) and anti-tank systems, destroy the tank of militants 
26. BANG!!! and the militants have no more tanks
The 45th Separate Special Purpose Brigade is the youngest military unit in the Airborne Forces (VDV) of Russia, its formation began in February 1994.
The regiment was formed on the basis of two separate special-purpose battalions, each of which, before being included in the regiment, had its own history of formation and development.
The 901st Separate Air Assault Battalion was formed on the territory of the Transcaucasian Military District and was immediately transferred to Czechoslovakia as part of the Central Group of Forces, where from November 20, 1979 it was stationed in n. the village of Riechki.
In March 1989, in connection with the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Eastern Europe, the battalion was redeployed to the city of Aluksne, Latvian SSR, and became part of the Baltic Military District. In May 1991, the battalion was transferred to the Transcaucasian Military District and relocated to the city of Sukhumi, Abkhaz ASSR.
In August 1992, the battalion was reassigned to the Command of the Airborne Forces and renamed the 901st separate airborne battalion. Later, as a separate battalion, he became part of the 7th Guards Airborne Division, but the city of Sukhumi remained the point of permanent deployment.
In 1993, during the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, the battalion performed the tasks of guarding and defending important military and state facilities on the territory of Abkhazia from looting and destruction. During this period, eight servicemen of the battalion died, having fulfilled their military duty to the end, and about 20 were injured. For the performance of combat missions, 13 servicemen of the battalion were awarded the Order "For Personal Courage", 21 people - the medal "For Courage" and 1 person - the medal "For Military Merit".
In October 1993, the battalion was redeployed from the city of Sukhumi to the Moscow region, where in February of the following year it was reorganized into the 901st separate special-purpose battalion. With the beginning of the formation of the 45th Ops of the Special Forces, the battalion was included in its composition.
The 218th separate special-purpose battalion was formed on July 25, 1992. By order of the commander of the Airborne Forces, in order of historical continuity, the day of the formation of 45 op Special Forces is considered to be the day the creation of this battalion.
The battalion took part in the implementation of peacekeeping missions in the zones of interethnic conflicts in Transnistria in June-July 1992, in North Ossetia - in September-November 1992, in Abkhazia - in December 1992. Many servicemen of the battalion were awarded for courage and heroism state awards.
The active use of battalions in solving special tasks in various conflicts showed the need for their unification into a regiment. By July 1994, the 45th op of the Special Forces was fully formed, equipped with personnel, equipment, and began combat training.
On December 2, 1994, the personnel of the regiment left for the North Caucasus to participate in the liquidation of illegal armed formations on the territory of the Chechen Republic.
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 21, 1995, the commander of the special-purpose reconnaissance group, Senior Lieutenant Ermakov V.K. On July 30, 1995, a monument in honor of the dead scouts was opened on the territory of the regiment in a solemn ceremony.
On May 9, 1995, the regiment was awarded a diploma of the President of the Russian Federation for services to the Russian Federation. He participated in the military parade dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
From February to May 1997, the combined detachment of the regiment took part in a peacekeeping mission in the zone of separation of the Georgian and Abkhaz armed forces in the city of Gudauta.
On July 26, 1997, following the glorious traditions of the Armed Forces, the regiment was awarded the Combat banner and certificate of the 5th Guards Airborne Rifle Order of Kutuzov of Mukachevo, 3rd degree, which was disbanded on June 27, 1945.
From September 12, 1999, the combined reconnaissance detachment of the regiment took part in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.
In August 2008, units of the 45th Ops of the Special Forces took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace. The officer of the regiment, Hero of Russia Anatoly Lebed was awarded the Order of St. George IV degree.
On July 20, 2009, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 18, 2006 No. 1422, the regiment was awarded the St. George Banner.
In April 2010, the battalion tactical group of the regiment carried out a combat mission to ensure the safety of Russian citizens on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of February 9, 2011 No. 170, the regiment was the first in modern history to be awarded the Order of Kutuzov. The award was presented on April 4, 2011 at the location of the regiment in Kubinka. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev personally attached the badge and ribbon of the order to the St. George's banner of the regiment.
In May-June 2012, the regiment's reconnaissance platoon participated in joint exercises with the "green berets" of the US armed forces at the American military base of the 10th Special Operations Forces Group, located in Fort Carson.
The paratroopers of the regiment honorably continue the glorious combat traditions of scouts of all generations, proudly carry the high guard rank, because it is not for nothing that their motto is: "The strongest wins."
During the existence of the regiment, five servicemen were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for their courage and heroism.