General Merkuriev: the help of the inhabitants of South Ossetia in protecting the borders is invaluable. General Merkuriev: the help of the inhabitants of South Ossetia in protecting the borders is invaluable Merkuriev Valery Arsentievich biography

On the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the entry of Russian border guards into South Ossetia, the head of the Border Directorate of the FSB of the Russian Federation in South Ossetia, Valery Merkuriev, told Sputnik about the situation on the border of the republic with Georgia, the interaction of the Border Directorate with the leadership of the republic and local authorities, and about the conditions of service of Russian border guards.

— What is the situation on the state border of South Ossetia with Georgia? What can be said about the dynamics of violations in recent months? Who and for what reasons most often violates it?

- At present, the situation on the state border is characterized as stable. Although quite recently the Georgian opposition undertook provocative actions to destabilize the situation on the state border, mainly in the Tskhinvali direction near the village of Artseu. The provocations were connected with the work carried out by the border authorities of South Ossetia and Russia to equip a fire zone along the state border with Georgia.

In the summer period of last year, on the Znauri and Tskhinvali directions, facts of grass fires were recorded with the transition of fires across the state border. In this regard, together with the leadership of the Border Service of the State Security Committee of the Republic, it was decided to carry out the above work in anticipation of the onset of hot weather. As far as I know, the Georgian side was informed in advance about the planned implementation of these works during meetings in the format of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, abbreviated IPRM.

As for the dynamics of violations of the legal regimes established on the state border of South Ossetia with Georgia, the analysis shows that their number in the 1st quarter of 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, slightly decreased. Violations are also predominantly of a domestic nature. At the same time, residents of Georgian border settlements violate the border more often.

- Does the border department carry out any work to prevent violations of the regime of the state border and the border regime?

— The Border Department and the Border Service of the State Security Committee regularly work together with residents of border settlements in order to maintain the South Ossetian border legislation and explain the rules of the border regime and the need to comply with them. We carry out this work in close cooperation with the heads of administrations of border regions and settlements, who, at our request, organize gatherings of citizens living in border villages.

In this regard, I want to take the opportunity to thank the leadership of the republic, the KGB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the heads of administrations of border regions and settlements, and, of course, our South Ossetian colleagues for their joint work and support for the border department in protecting and protecting the state border of South Ossetia.

- Many stores in the republic sell vegetables and fruits produced in Georgia. Could you tell us how these goods get to South Ossetia? How do Russian border guards control their movement across the state border? What measures, in your opinion, should be taken to reduce or eliminate the appearance of Georgian products in South Ossetia?

- I can assure you that these goods enter South Ossetia only in the manner prescribed by law, that is, through certain places of crossing the state border. We control the regime of the state border, attempts to illegally move goods across the state border outside the established places of its crossing are suppressed. As for the functioning of the border crossing points with Georgia, there are now four of them in the republic: two - in the Dzau "Pereu" and "Sinagur", one - in the Leningor "Razdakhan" and one, recently opened, in the village of Khelchua, Tskhinvali region. The order of their work is determined by a number of decrees of the government of the republic, and we are strictly guided by them in the implementation of the passage of citizens and consumer goods transported by them for personal purposes.

Here I would like to note that in accordance with the legislation of the republic, citizens who are allowed to travel to Georgia for humanitarian purposes have the right to carry with them a load weighing no more than 50 kg per person for personal purposes. Thus, goods produced in Georgia end up in South Ossetia. In addition, issues related to the control of cargo, as such, are not within the competence of border guards. These are customs functions. Although we now have to partially fulfill them.

In my opinion, a measure to improve control over the transport of Georgian goods would be the organization of the work of the customs authorities of South Ossetia at the crossings of the state border with Georgia. After all, the state border of the republic exists unilaterally, therefore, the issues of organizing customs control could be worked out in the same way.

— The border department has been in South Ossetia for seven years. During this time, all conditions were created for the border guards and their families. How did this affect the service and life of employees?

- Yes you are right. To date, all conditions have been created for the full-fledged life of border control officers and family members. In their free time, in addition to rest, the border guards actively go in for sports, read books, each unit has gyms and libraries.

The life of border guards is no different from the life of other people. The wives of employees who live with them, as a rule, are engaged in raising children and providing a reliable rear for their husbands. There are also entire families of border guards, in which the wives are also servicemen of the border control. School-age children study in secondary schools in South Ossetia.

All this has a positive effect on official activities, because if there is a reliable and secure rear, then the border guard does not have to think about anything other than the border guard service.

- Could you briefly tell us about how the state border of South Ossetia with Georgia is guarded and what happens to violators after being detained by your employees?

- In accordance with the Agreement between Russia and South Ossetia on joint efforts in protecting the state border of the republic, the border department protects the state border together with the border service of the State Security Committee of the Republic of South Ossetia.

On the basis of the joint plans of the head of the border service and the head of the border department, border detachments consisting of Russian and South Ossetian border guards are sent to protect the state border. The number of outfits depends on the prevailing situation and the time of year.

If we talk about legal proceedings against violators of the regime of the state border or the border regime, then after the violators are detained by Russian border guards, they are transferred in accordance with the legislation of South Ossetia to representatives of the Border Service of the State Security Committee for further proceedings.

- How are the relations between representatives of the Russian border service with the administration and the population of border settlements?

- I would characterize the relations of the border guards with representatives of the administrations of the border regions and settlements as fruitful. For example, the heads of units directly guarding the state border constantly maintain friendly and good-neighborly relations both with the authorities and with residents of the settlements in which their units are located. In matters of ensuring border security and protecting the state border, it is simply impossible to do without their help. After all, it is not for nothing that they say - "The border is guarded by all the people!". In our work we try to adhere to this professional wisdom. Therefore, any help from the local population in protecting the border is welcome.

Moreover, given the fact that the state border of South Ossetia is not marked on the ground, and technical means can never completely replace a person. The help often provided by residents of border villages is truly invaluable. Already many times violators were detained on the information of local residents.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all employees of the Border Department, as well as those who, since 2009, under difficult conditions, organized and carried out the border service to protect the borders of South Ossetia. I wish you peace on the border, family well-being and success in your service for the good of the Fatherland!

M erkuriev Valerian Antonovich - commander of artillery of the 399th rifle Novozybkov Order of Suvorov, 2nd degree division (42nd rifle corps, 48th army, 1st Belorussian Front), colonel.

Born on January 21, 1907 in the village of Kosya, now the Nizhneturinsky urban district of the Sverdlovsk region. Russian.

Early left without parents. He worked at the asbestos mine and logging. Since October 1929 in the ranks of the Red Army. He graduated from the artillery department of the Kremlin Joint Military School named after the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. He served in the military in the Far East. Participated in the battles near Lake Khasan.

On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War since 1942. He took part in the fighting on the Volkhov, North-Western, Steppe, Central, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Belorussian fronts. In battles he was wounded four times.

At the beginning of the war, he commanded the 294th artillery regiment of the 170th Ural Rifle Division. In the battle on December 28, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel V.A. Merkuriev personally checked the installation of artillery batteries in firing positions. During the battle, he personally stood behind the gun and fired at the enemy.

December 30, 1942, correcting the fire of the batteries, achieved the destruction of the enemy resistance center. This allowed the infantry units to advance far ahead. For his actions he was presented with the Order of the Red Banner. By order of the troops of the North-Western Front dated January 27, 1943 No. 019 / n, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star.

On July 20, 1943, he was appointed to the post of artillery commander of the 399th Infantry Division, which received the honorary title "Novozybkovskaya" for distinction in subsequent battles.

By December 1943, Colonel V.A. Merkuriev, commanding the division's artillery and attached forces, showed himself to be a competent and brave officer. In battles, he personally commanded artillery from an observation post. During the pursuit of the enemy, he was always in the combat formations of the troops, as a result of which the artillery of the division did not have a single lag behind the infantry. Thanks to timely artillery support, up to 200 settlements were liberated. Using improvised means, the artillerymen successfully crossed the Desna, Sozh, and Berezina rivers. When repelling one of the enemy offensives, the artillery of the division, under the personal command of Colonel V.A. Merkuriev, knocked out 8 tanks and destroyed up to an enemy infantry regiment. By order of the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front dated April 3, 1944 No. 037 / n, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

In the battles from June 24 to June 30, 1944, to break through the enemy defenses in the area of ​​​​the village of Kostyushevo (Rogachev district of the Gomel region of Belarus), Colonel V.A. Merkuriev showed good results in the performance of assigned combat missions. The artillery led by him inflicted great damage on the enemy in manpower and equipment, clearing the passage for the infantry. As a result, the units of the division advanced far ahead, destroying and capturing several hundred enemy soldiers and officers. By order of the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front dated August 8, 1944 No. 065 / n, he was awarded the Order of Suvorov, 3rd degree.

Especially Colonel V.A. Merkuriev distinguished himself in early September 1944. On September 3, 1944, the 399th Rifle Division launched an offensive by breaking through the enemy defenses in the area of ​​the village of Rynek (north-west of the city of Ostrow Mozowiecki, (Poland). Thanks to the correct and skillful placement of artillery, specific tasking based on accurate reconnaissance, the fire system The enemy was immediately suppressed and upset.During the fire raid, 38 guns of various calibers with servants and 6 mortar batteries were destroyed.

On September 4, 1944, units of the division approached the Narew River. Colonel V.A. Merkuriev personally led the leadership of the artillery crossing the river. At 4 o'clock in the morning, he was the first to cross over to the west coast with a battery of an anti-tank battalion and organized artillery cover for the crossing. I personally discovered a ford along which all 45-millimeter and regimental artillery was transported.

On September 5, 1944, the enemy launched a counteroffensive. Colonel V.A. Merkuriev personally directed the fire of an artillery battery, as a result of which 15 tanks, 8 armored personnel carriers and 2 armored vehicles were destroyed. Personally destroyed by gun fire, which killed the entire calculation, 4 tanks and 2 armored personnel carriers.

On the same day, in the course of organized artillery preparation, the barriers of six enemy tank divisions were overturned and the bridgehead was expanded by 3.5 - 4 kilometers. As a result of the successful operation of artillery under the leadership of Colonel V.A. Merkuriev, the enemy was inflicted great damage in manpower and equipment.

At by order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 18, 1944, for courage, courage and heroism shown on the front of the struggle against the Nazi invaders, Colonel Merkuriev Valerian Antonovich was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin (No. 23719) and the Gold Star medal (No. 4724).

On January 14, 1945, in an offensive battle, the division began to break through the enemy's defense in depth in the Glotkovo-Dzerzhanovo area (Poland). Artillery under the command of Colonel V.A. played a decisive role in the rapid advance of the units. Merkuriev. Thanks to the previously carried out measures for reconnaissance and fixing the enemy’s fire weapons, during the offensive, the entire enemy defense system was immediately suppressed and upset by artillery.

With organized artillery preparation, our units fought 46 kilometers in four days, inflicting heavy damage on the enemy in manpower and equipment. During this time, 625 soldiers and officers, 30 machine guns, 6 cannons, 4 mortar batteries, 3 artillery batteries, 4 bunkers were destroyed, 2 tanks and 3 self-propelled guns were knocked out, many trophies were captured. For his actions, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Colonel V.A. Merkuriev was awarded the Order of Kutuzov 2nd degree.

After the war he continued to serve in the army. He was the commander of the artillery of the 49th Rifle Corps and the commander of the 5th Fighter Brigade of the 52nd Army of the Carpathian Military District (PrikVO).

During its existence, the Service has managed to establish not only business, but also warm friendly relations with everyone. Among the guests were veterans' organizations, heads and representatives of municipalities, urban settlements, the prosecutor of the Sretensky district, associations of the Youth Army members of Sretensk and Nerchinsk sponsored by the detachment. Everyone had something to wish for and something to say thank you for.

Today it seems unthinkable for the existence of the region without the presence of the military on its territory. Their necessity and importance is confirmed by more than one page of history, including many heroic and glorious ones. And even if the Service is not located on the extreme borders of our country, the strategic tasks it performs cannot be overestimated. Militaristic Japan, China, which has become unfriendly in its time, and other threats have confirmed the right to existence of border guards in Sretensky and neighboring areas. It should be noted that the Service in the Kokuy village is the successor to the previously existing military formations and has changed its name more than once over a long history, but the essence has remained unchanged - the protection of the state border.

How it was? Based on the order of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, the formation of the 74th Shilkinsky border detachment of the NKVD troops began. The military commandant's office at that time was stationed on the territory of the Mogochinsky district in the village of Pokrovka. For the high vigilance, courage shown by the border guards of the detachment, and the detention of violators of the border of the state on February 23, 1939, the detachment was awarded a combat red banner. On June 22, 1941, the command of the detachment received more than 400 notes and reports with a request to be sent to the front, but not every such request was granted, because the threat to the country was not only on its western borders. In November 1942, 790 soldiers and officers of the Shilkinsky cavalry border detachment were included in the 106th Trans-Baikal Rifle Army, which managed to adequately defend the Motherland on the fronts of World War II. In 1945, when the USSR joined the military operations against Japan, the Sretensky border guards also entered their names in the annals of this victory. All units of the combat detachment were put on alert and two Japanese garrisons and three military groups in the rear were eliminated by its forces. A resounding feat was the heroic deed of Mikhail Derevyanko and Pavel Nesovsky, who died a heroic death in one of the battles with Japanese saboteurs. In September 1969, the border outpost where Derevyanko served was named after him, and the hero himself was permanently enrolled in the personnel of the outpost.

On July 19, 1950, the Red Banner Shilka Cavalry Border Detachment was disbanded, but after the tragic events on Damansky Island in 1965, the country's leadership again took measures to strengthen the borders. And in April 1972, the detachment was restored with a place of deployment in the village of Nerchinskiy Zavod. In September 1978, the detachment was relocated with a service and combat support unit to the location of the Kokuy village. It would seem that a peaceful and calm time has come, but this time did not last long - in 1979 the war broke out in Afghanistan ... Again "to the gun", again full combat readiness ...

And so day after day, year after year, and in the near future, century after century, the border detachment has proved and will continue to prove its need and relevance. 80 years old is an advanced age for any person, but quite young for a military unit. As we have already noticed, many guests came to visit the detachment with congratulations. Among them, the presence of the head of the Border Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the Trans-Baikal Territory, Major General Valery Arsentievich Merkuriev, was especially honorable.

Comrades border guards, dear veterans! For eighty years, the border guards of Sretensk have been honorably serving on the Trans-Baikal border. The most sacred thing is entrusted to the personnel - to protect Russia. This is, perhaps, the most priceless advantage of the border guards. Their deeds swept through the pages of history with a loud echo. Your task is not to drop the honor of your predecessors and become an example for those who will serve after you. You have something to be proud of, there is someone to look up to. On your shoulders, along with shoulder straps, lay the responsibility for the peaceful sleep of the peaceful citizens of our Motherland. Do everything in your power to keep the Russian border under reliable protection. It is impossible not to remember the veterans of the service. Who better than them, who have studied all the intricacies of military affairs, can help a young officer in a difficult situation? Their experience is invaluable, their advice is a storehouse of life wisdom. Ahead of you is waiting for everyday and painstaking work. I am convinced that the glorified team of the Service will cope with the tasks set. Border guards of Sretensk, continue to align with the heroes, their readiness to defend every inch of their native land. Increase the fighting traditions of service, persistently master the skill. On my own behalf, on behalf of the leadership of the Russian border department for the Trans-Baikal Territory, I congratulate you on the 80th anniversary of the Red Banner Border Detachment! - with the wishes of good health and all the best, the Major General addressed the anniversaries. He noted the important contribution of women - wives, military mothers, thanked everyone who interacts with the detachment, and expressed hope for the continuation and strengthening of such ties.

The solemn meeting was decorated with performances by military musical groups from the village of Kokuy and the village of Priargunsk. As always, the numbers from the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Border Administration of the Trans-Baikal Territory were enchanting. The children of the art schools of the city of Sretensk and the village of Kokuy also contributed.

Well, what about without awards and promotions? For the conscientious performance of official duties, diligence and diligence, the employees of the now FSB were acclaimed, awarded ranks one step higher than those provided by the state for personal merit, and were awarded letters of commendation. We are sure that the number of those awarded could be much larger, but everything has its time and the awards will find their heroes, if not today, then definitely tomorrow.

For our part, we once again want to note that the border guards are the shield of our state, the threat of all enemies. You stand at your post all the time, tirelessly and sleeplessly, defending our Motherland. We call you heroes, because only you the country trusts and hopes for you. May luck favor you every day, may your children laugh. May there always be prosperity in your house, and may the sun shine in a peaceful sky, warming you with its rays. Strive with dignity for your goals, avoid crooked paths, follow the right path you have chosen.

The Nizhny Novgorod regional public-patriotic organization actively participates in the life of civil society. Key areas of activity are the implementation of social policy in relation to the elderly, strengthening the moral values ​​of young people that underlie patriotism, as well as improving the quality of intellectual education of schoolchildren.

At the general meeting, questions were considered on the nomination of delegates to the regional reporting and election conference of the Council of Veterans on behalf of the generation of war children and on a candidate for the position of chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Council of Veterans. As a result, the meeting approved the delegates of the Chairman of the public organization "Children of War" Alexander Fedorovich Sherstnev and party member JUST RUSSIA, former commander of the 22nd Guards Army, General Alexey Alekseevich Merkuriev .

Also, A.A.Merkuriev By unanimous decision of the meeting, he was recommended for the post of chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Council of Veterans. The final protocol contains the statement that today in the Nizhny Novgorod region alternatives Alexey Merkuriev not for this position. The biography, life and combat path of the Russian general convincingly say that the Council of Veterans of the Nizhny Novgorod Region will be headed by a principled, honest and fair person.

Curriculum vitae:

Merkuriev Alexey Alekseevich

In 1972 he graduated from the Kazan Higher Tank Command School, in 1980 from the Military Academy of the BTV SA, in 1991 from the Academy of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces. Specialty - engineer for the operation of AT equipment. Command and staff.

1972 - 1975 - commander of a platoon of a company of a company of military unit 61563, Brest.

1975 - 1977 - chief of staff of the battalion of military unit 52820, Slonim, Brest region.

1980 - 1982 - chief of staff of military unit 53526, Prishib, Republic of Azerbaijan.

1982 - 1986 - commander of military unit 52332 in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan.

1986 - 1987 - commander of the formation of military unit 39486, Kirovabad, Republic of Azerbaijan.

1987 - 1989 - commander of the military unit 52829 in Havana, Republic of Cuba.

1991 - 1995 - commander of the unit of military unit 52495, Sortovala of the Republic of Karelia.

1995 - 1996 - Commander of the peacekeeping forces in the zone of armed conflict in the city of Tskhinvali, Republic of South Ossetia.

1996 - 1999 - Chief of Staff of the 58th Combined Arms Army in Vladikavkaz.

1999 - 2006 - Commander of the 22nd Guards Combined Arms Army in Nizhny Novgorod.

2006 - 2008 - Deputy Director of the Odessa Oil Refinery.

Since 2008, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation "Life after the war."

Lieutenant general.

He was awarded the Order of the Red Star, Order of Military Merit, medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd class, Order of the Republic of Cuba Ernesto Che Guevara, 2nd class, 16 medals, personalized firearms (PM pistol).

Member of the Council of Veterans of the 22nd Guards Army, member of the Committee of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Branch of the All-Russian Public Organization of Veterans of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Honored Military Specialist of the Russian Federation.

Prior to that, for six and a half years, Merkuriev served in Sochi, as deputy head of the Black Sea-Azov border department. And even earlier he served in the city of Volzhsky as chief of staff of the 38th border detachment, then - first deputy head of the border department of the FSB of Russia in the Volgograd region.
- Therefore, this direction is not new for me, - explains Valery Arsentevich, - the border section is familiar. Remained also in management and many employees, familiar from the previous service in it.
The situation over the past six and a half years on the border section, according to Merkuriev, has not changed significantly, there are no aggravations in it. Although there are issues that need to be worked on. They are caused, first of all, by the socio-economic situation of the border regions of both Russia and Kazakhstan. An analysis of the offenses that took place on the border section during the first three months of this year shows that they are, as a rule, related to household issues. Most often, this is grazing cattle, which uncontrollably crosses the state border. Livestock owners, in this regard, are also forced to cross the border, thus becoming violators themselves.
In order to prevent such facts, explanatory conversations are regularly held with residents of the border regions. Nevertheless, in the coming period, experts predict a certain increase in the number of such violations due to the usual spring transfer of livestock from camps to pastures.
Valery Arsentievich also cited specific figures. Thus, over the past three months of this year, the border control units guarding the state border identified and detained twenty violators. Nineteen cases out of these twenty are connected with violations of the procedure for crossing the border, and one more - with violations of the procedure for conducting economic activities. Criminal cases were initiated against two violators, and fifteen more were fined in the amount of about forty thousand rubles. Twenty-five border guards detained violators of the border regime during the same time. Sanctions against them were less severe, punishments were limited to fines in the amount of about four and a half thousand rubles. Forty-two thousand people, thirteen thousand of which are foreign citizens, as well as seven and a half thousand units of vehicles, including two and a half thousand foreign ones, were allowed to cross the section of the state border.
During checks of citizens who intended to leave for Kazakhstan, seventy people were identified with invalid documents, and another twenty had the right to leave Russia at the time of the check was temporarily limited.
More than fifty Russian citizens were not allowed to cross the border for various legal reasons.
Fifteen foreign citizens, in accordance with Russian law, were denied the right to enter the Russian Federation by border guards.
All checkpoints across the state border are equipped with telephones, through which you can always quickly sort out the problems that citizens have when crossing it. In particular, it is possible to seek advice directly from the leadership of the border department and its other officials.
Major General Merkuriev assured us that there are no stable channels for the transfer of drugs, weapons, means of sabotage to the territory of the Russian Federation on the border section. Its peculiarity, which creates certain difficulties in the protection of the state border, is the low population of the border territories. After all, local residents living near the state border, as a rule, provide active assistance to border guards in its protection.
Nevertheless, the border guards of the Volgograd region are well helped by the units of the Cossack squad and the voluntary people's squad created in the border areas.