Which part of the Airborne Forces is the best? List of elite Russian troops. th separate special purpose regiment of the Airborne Forces

Airborne Forces – airborne troops- these are some of the most prestigious troops Russian Federation. Having heard that a soldier is serving in airborne troops, this person immediately, automatically, develops great respect. After all, if you delve into the very essence of the profession, you can safely say that these people are the real defenders and patriots of their state.

It is the paratroopers who are the first to be sent by air to fight the enemy in his rear. Besides, Airborne Forces can form the basis mobile forces rapid reaction troops. Suffice it to remember that the Airborne Forces were born during the Great Patriotic War, made an overwhelming contribution to the victory, and it will immediately become clear why they are so prestigious and respected.

If a young man decides to connect his life with the army, then the choice is in favor airborne troops deserves great respect. Today, the most famous and famous educational institution for training excellent paratroopers is the world-famous Ryazan Institute of Airborne Forces. This is a higher institution that produces real officers.

Also, there is a “242 training center”, which is currently located in the cities of Omsk and Ishim. It also specializes in training quality professionals in their field.

Airborne Forces are a complex science

What are future officers taught in these military institutions? Of course, we will not list all the disciplines; we will focus on the most important skills that young people acquire. Some of the key subjects are: tactics and strategy of combat, shooting, military equipment.

Cadets are taught not only theory, but also practice. Field trips to exercises are a mandatory training process. Of course, cadets learn to jump from a parachute, learn to survive in difficult conditions, fight in rural and urban areas, master the skills of combat with edged weapons, and learn the basics of controlling air force equipment. In addition to combat, they are trained in repairs military equipment, so that in any situation the military can prepare and activate any combat unit, from a tank to a fighter. Great attention is paid to the physical training of cadets. No wonder the fighters from airborne troops are associated with civilians with the mighty and strong people, that's what they are.

One American general in the second half of the 20th century said: - “Give me a company of Russian paratroopers and we will take over the whole world!”

It's not just strength that matters here.

In addition to military disciplines, great attention is paid to standard humanitarian and mathematical disciplines, foreign languages ​​and computer classes. The cadets are even taught ballroom dancing, etiquette, and manners. Therefore, the officers come out comprehensively developed people and are well versed not only in military tactics and military equipment, but are also cultured and well-read people.

Based on this, we can safely say that the officers Airborne Forces– these are truly people who should inspire awe and respect from everyone.

Blue berets only on the front line

The “winged infantry” has its own day on the calendar - August 2, the day when colleagues and classmates meet and remember their service and training. And there is something to remember, because how many bright and unforgettable pages were brought by the airborne troops into our glorious history and how many more of these pages will be written by them!

The Blue Berets are always at the forefront, ahead of the rest. They are where the greatest danger is, where strength and courage are required. These are people who command respect from both pensioners and veterans, as well as young people.

The airborne troops of the Russian Federation are separate genus troops of the Russian armed forces, located in the reserve of the Commander-in-Chief of the country and directly subordinate to the Commander of the Airborne Forces. This position is currently held (since October 2016) by Colonel General Serdyukov.

The purpose of the airborne troops is to operate behind enemy lines, carry out deep raids, capture important enemy targets, bridgeheads, disrupt enemy communications and control, and carry out sabotage behind enemy lines. The Airborne Forces were created primarily as an effective instrument of offensive warfare. To cover the enemy and operate in his rear, the Airborne Forces can use airborne landings - both parachute and landing.

The airborne troops are rightfully considered the elite of the armed forces of the Russian Federation. In order to get into this branch of the military, candidates must meet very high criteria. First of all, this concerns physical health and psychological stability. And this is natural: paratroopers carry out their tasks behind enemy lines, without the support of their main forces, the supply of ammunition and the evacuation of the wounded.

The Soviet Airborne Forces were created in the 30s, further development This type of troops was rapid: by the beginning of the war, five airborne corps were deployed in the USSR, each with a strength of 10 thousand people. USSR Airborne Forces played important role in the victory over the Nazi invaders. The paratroopers actively participated in Afghan war. The Russian Airborne Forces were officially created on May 12, 1992, they went through both Chechen campaigns, and participated in the war with Georgia in 2008.

The flag of the Airborne Forces is a blue cloth with a green stripe at the bottom. In its center there is an image of a golden open parachute and two aircraft of the same color. The flag was officially approved in 2004.

In addition to the flag, there is also an emblem of this branch of the military. This is a golden-colored flaming grenade with two wings. There is also a medium and large Airborne Forces emblem. The middle emblem depicts a double-headed eagle with a crown on its head and a shield with St. George the Victorious in the center. In one paw the eagle holds a sword, and in the other - a flaming airborne grenade. In the large emblem, Grenada is placed on a blue heraldic shield framed by an oak wreath. At its top there is a double-headed eagle.

In addition to the emblem and flag of the Airborne Forces, there is also the motto of the Airborne Forces: “Nobody but us.” The paratroopers even have their own heavenly patron- Saint Elijah.

Professional holiday of paratroopers - Airborne Forces Day. It is celebrated on August 2. On this day in 1930, a unit was parachuted for the first time to carry out a combat mission. On August 2, Airborne Forces Day is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The Russian airborne troops are armed with both common species military equipment, as well as samples developed specifically for this type of troops, taking into account the specifics of its tasks.

It is difficult to name the exact number of the Russian Airborne Forces; this information is secret. However, according to unofficial data obtained from Russian Ministry defense, it is about 45 thousand soldiers. Foreign estimates of the number of this type of troops are somewhat more modest - 36 thousand people.

History of the creation of the Airborne Forces

The homeland of the Airborne Forces is the Soviet Union. It was in the USSR that the first airborne unit was created, this happened in 1930. First, a small detachment appeared, which was part of a regular rifle division. On August 2, the first parachute landing was successfully carried out during exercises at the training ground near Voronezh.

However, the first use of parachute landing in military affairs occurred even earlier, in 1929. During the siege of the Tajik city of Garm by anti-Soviet rebels, a detachment of Red Army soldiers was dropped there by parachute, which made it possible to release the settlement in the shortest possible time.

Two years later, a special purpose brigade was formed on the basis of the detachment, and in 1938 it was renamed the 201st Airborne Brigade. In 1932, by decision of the Revolutionary Military Council, special-purpose aviation battalions were created; in 1933, their number reached 29. They were part of the Air Force, and their main task was to disorganize the enemy rear and carry out sabotage.

It should be noted that the development of airborne troops in the Soviet Union was very stormy and rapid. No expense was spared on them. In the 1930s, the country was experiencing a real parachute boom; parachute jumping towers stood at almost every stadium.

During the exercises of the Kyiv Military District in 1935, a mass parachute landing was practiced for the first time. The following year, an even more massive landing was carried out in the Belarusian Military District. Foreign military observers invited to the exercises were amazed by the scale of the landings and the skill of the Soviet paratroopers.

Before the start of the war, airborne corps were created in the USSR, each of them included up to 10 thousand soldiers. In April 1941, by order of the Soviet military leadership, five airborne corps were deployed in the western regions of the country; after the German attack (in August 1941), the formation of another five airborne corps began. A few days before the German invasion (June 12), the Directorate of Airborne Forces was created, and in September 1941, paratrooper units were removed from the subordination of front commanders. Each airborne corps was a very formidable force: in addition to well-trained personnel, it was armed with artillery and light amphibious tanks.

In addition to the landing corps, the Red Army also included mobile airborne brigades(five units), reserve airborne regiments (five units) and educational institutions that trained paratroopers.

The Airborne Forces made a significant contribution to the victory over the Nazi invaders. The airborne units played a particularly important role in the initial—the most difficult—period of the war. Despite the fact that airborne troops are designed to conduct offensive operations and have a minimum of heavy weapons (compared to other branches of the military), at the beginning of the war, paratroopers were often used to “patch holes”: in defense, to eliminate sudden German breakthroughs, to unblocking the surrounded Soviet troops. Because of this practice, paratroopers suffered unreasonably high losses, and the effectiveness of their use decreased. Often, the preparation of landing operations left much to be desired.

Airborne units took part in the defense of Moscow, as well as in the subsequent counter-offensive. The 4th Airborne Corps was landed during the Vyazemsk landing operation in the winter of 1942. In 1943, during the crossing of the Dnieper, two airborne brigades were thrown behind enemy lines. Another big one landing operation was carried out in Manchuria in August 1945. During its course, 4 thousand soldiers were landed by landing.

In October 1944, the Soviet Airborne Forces were transformed into a separate guards unit. airborne army, and in December of the same year - to the 9th Guards Army. Airborne divisions turned into ordinary rifle divisions. At the end of the war, paratroopers took part in the liberation of Budapest, Prague, and Vienna. The 9th Guards Army ended its glorious military journey on the Elbe.

In 1946, airborne units were introduced into the Ground Forces and were subordinate to the country's Minister of Defense.

In 1956, Soviet paratroopers took part in the suppression of the Hungarian uprising, and in the mid-60s they played a key role in pacifying another country that wanted to leave the socialist camp - Czechoslovakia.

After the end of the war, the world entered an era of confrontation between two superpowers - the USSR and the USA. The plans of the Soviet leadership were by no means limited only to defense, so the airborne troops developed especially actively during this period. The emphasis was placed on increasing the firepower of the Airborne Forces. For this purpose, a whole range of airborne equipment was developed, including armored vehicles, artillery systems, and motor vehicles. The fleet of military transport aircraft was significantly increased. In the 70s, wide-body heavy-duty transport aircraft were created, making it possible to transport not only personnel, but also heavy military equipment. By the end of the 80s, the state of the USSR military transport aviation was such that it could ensure the parachute drop of almost 75% of the Airborne Forces personnel in one flight.

At the end of the 60s it was created the new kind units that are part of the Airborne Forces - air assault units (ASH). They were not much different from the rest of the Airborne Forces, but were subordinate to the command of groups of troops, armies or corps. The reason for the creation of the DShCh was a change in the tactical plans that Soviet strategists were preparing in the event of a full-scale war. After the start of the conflict, they planned to “break” the enemy’s defenses with the help of massive landings landed in the immediate rear of the enemy.

In the mid-80s, as part of Ground Forces The USSR had 14 air assault brigades, 20 battalions and 22 separate air assault regiments.

In 1979, the war began in Afghanistan, and the Soviet Airborne Forces took an active part in it. During this conflict, the paratroopers had to engage in counter-guerrilla warfare; of course, there was no talk of any parachute landing. Personnel were delivered to the site of combat operations using armored vehicles or vehicles; landing from helicopters was used less frequently.

Paratroopers were often used to provide security at numerous outposts and checkpoints scattered throughout the country. Typically, airborne units performed tasks more suitable for motorized rifle units.

It should be noted that in Afghanistan, the paratroopers used military equipment of the ground forces, which was more suitable for the harsh conditions of this country than their own. Also, airborne units in Afghanistan were reinforced with additional artillery and tank units.

After the collapse of the USSR, the division of its armed forces began. These processes also affected the paratroopers. They were able to finally divide the Airborne Forces only in 1992, after which the Russian Airborne Forces were created. They included all the units that were located on the territory of the RSFSR, as well as part of the divisions and brigades that were previously located in other republics of the USSR.

In 1993, the Russian Airborne Forces included six divisions, six air assault brigades and two regiments. In 1994, in Kubinka near Moscow, on the basis of two battalions, the 45th special regiment was created appointments of the Airborne Forces(the so-called airborne special forces).

The 90s became a serious test for the Russian airborne troops (as well as for the entire army). The number of airborne forces was seriously reduced, some units were disbanded, and the paratroopers became subordinate to the Ground Forces. Army aviation was transferred to the air force, which significantly worsened the mobility of the airborne forces.

The Russian airborne troops took part in both Chechen campaigns; in 2008, paratroopers were involved in the Ossetian conflict. The Airborne Forces have repeatedly taken part in peacekeeping operations(for example, in former Yugoslavia). Airborne units regularly participate in international exercises; they guard Russian military bases abroad (Kyrgyzstan).

Structure and composition of the airborne troops of the Russian Federation

Currently, the Russian Airborne Forces consist of command structures, combat units and units, as well as various institutions that provide them.

Structurally, the Airborne Forces have three main components:

• Airborne. It includes all airborne units.
• Air assault. Consists of air assault units.
• Mountain. It includes air assault units designed to operate in mountainous areas.

Currently, the Russian Airborne Forces include four divisions, as well as separate brigades and regiments. Airborne troops, composition:

• 76th Guards Air Assault Division, stationed in Pskov.
• 98th Guards Airborne Division, located in Ivanovo.
• 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division, stationed in Novorossiysk.
• 106th Guards Airborne Division - Tula.

Airborne regiments and brigades:

• 11th Separate Guards Airborne Brigade, headquartered in the city of Ulan-Ude.
• 45th separate guards brigade special purpose(Moscow city).
• 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Place of deployment - the city of Kamyshin.
• 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Located in Ulyanovsk.
• 83rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade. Location: Ussuriysk.
• 38th Separate Guards Airborne Communications Regiment. Located in the Moscow region, in the village of Medvezhye Ozera.

In 2013, the creation of the 345th Air Assault Brigade in Voronezh was officially announced, but then the formation of the unit was postponed to more late date(2017 or 2019). There is information that in 2019, an airborne assault battalion will be deployed on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula, and in the future, on its basis, a regiment of the 7th Airborne Assault Division, which is currently deployed in Novorossiysk, will be formed.

In addition to combat units, the Russian Airborne Forces also include educational institutions that train personnel for the Airborne Forces. The main and most famous of them is the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, which also trains officers for the Russian Airborne Forces. The structure of this type of troops also includes two Suvorov schools (in Tula and Ulyanovsk), the Omsk Cadet Corps and the 242nd training center located in Omsk.

Armament and equipment of the Russian Airborne Forces

The airborne troops of the Russian Federation use both combined arms equipment and models that were created specifically for this type of troops. Most types of weapons and military equipment of the Airborne Forces were developed and manufactured during the Soviet period, but there are also more modern models created in modern times.

The most popular samples Airborne armored vehicles are currently combat vehicles landing BMD-1 (about 100 units) and BMD-2M (about 1 thousand units). Both of these vehicles were produced in the Soviet Union (BMD-1 in 1968, BMD-2 in 1985). They can be used for landing both by landing and by parachute. These are reliable vehicles that have been tested in many armed conflicts, but they are clearly outdated, both morally and physically. Even senior management representatives openly say this. Russian army., which was put into service in 2004. However, its production is slow; today there are 30 BMP-4 units and 12 BMP-4M units in service.

Also, the airborne units are armed with a large number of armored personnel carriers BTR-82A and BTR-82AM (12 pieces), as well as the Soviet BTR-80. The most numerous armored personnel carrier currently used by the Russian Airborne Forces is the tracked BTR-D (more than 700 units). It was put into service in 1974 and is very outdated. It should be replaced by the BTR-MDM “Shell”, but so far its production is moving very slowly: today there are from 12 to 30 (according to various sources) “Shell” in combat units.

Anti-tank weapons of the Airborne Forces are represented by self-propelled anti-tank gun 2S25 "Sprut-SD" (36 units), self-propelled anti-tank systems BTR-RD "Robot" (more than 100 units) and a wide range of different ATGMs: "Metis", "Fagot", "Konkurs" and "Cornet".

The Russian Airborne Forces also have self-propelled and towed artillery: the Nona self-propelled gun (250 units and several hundred more units in storage), the D-30 howitzer (150 units), and the Nona-M1 mortars (50 units) and "Tray" (150 units).

Airborne air defense systems consist of portable missile systems (various modifications"Needles" and "Verba"), as well as the short-range air defense system "Strela". Special attention should be paid to the latest Russian MANPADS“Verba”, which was only recently put into service and is now put into trial operation in only a few units of the Russian Armed Forces, including the 98th Airborne Division.

The Airborne Forces also operate self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery systems BTR-ZD "Skrezhet" (150 units) Soviet made and towed anti-aircraft artillery installations ZU-23-2.

IN last years The Airborne Forces began to receive new models of automotive equipment, of which the Tiger armored car, the A-1 all-terrain vehicle and the KAMAZ-43501 truck should be noted.

The airborne troops are sufficiently equipped with communication, control and electronic warfare. Among them, modern Russian developments should be noted: electronic warfare systems“Leer-2” and “Leer-3”, “Infauna”, the control system for air defense complexes “Barnaul”, automated troop control systems “Andromeda-D” and “Polet-K”.

The Airborne Forces are armed with a wide range of small arms, including both Soviet models and newer Russian developments. The latter include the Yarygin pistol, PMM and the PSS silent pistol. The main personal weapon of the fighters remains the Soviet AK-74 assault rifle, but deliveries to the troops of the more advanced AK-74M have already begun. To carry out sabotage missions, paratroopers can use the Russian-made Val Orlan-10 silent assault rifle. The exact number of Orlans in service with the Airborne Forces is unknown.

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Do you remember the old Soviet joke? At a meeting at NATO, generals decide in which army in the world, which elite units are best trained. English Green Berets? Or American? Or someone else? Finally, one old general says that the most terrible troops are in the Soviet Union. They are called a strange word, and due to their special savagery, they are not even trusted with weapons. The Soviet Union conveniently collapsed. In the Russian army, the construction battalion was abolished (replacing it with more favorable phrases “railway troops” and “ engineering troops"), but still, it is interesting to know which country owns the most powerful elite special forces.

Of course, it is difficult to compare these troops with each other, since it is impossible to hold a tournament between them according to the Olympic system in the manner of gladiator fights practiced in Ancient Rome, but you can try to evaluate the entry requirements, training, and track record of these military formations. So….

8. Black Stork Squad, Pakistan

A special forces group that got its name from its unique headgear. During training, the fighters of this formation must complete a forced march of 58 km in 12 hours and with full equipment. It fights mainly against Afghans, including the Taliban.

7. Special Operations Unit of the Spanish Navy

Created in 1952, initially only volunteers were recruited there. It was called a “company of mountaineering divers” (the original name, isn’t it?) Later transformed into elite unit. The selection for this unit is very strict. Based on the results of the qualifying course, 70-80% of applicants are usually eliminated.

6. Russian special forces "Alpha"

Created in 1974, of course, under the KGB, subsequently, after the collapse Soviet Union, came under the control of the FSB. After the collapse of the Union, this special unit clearly had more work. All kinds of operations in the North Caucasus and beyond. Alpha fighters fight both with and representatives of organized crime. As you understand, there are an order of magnitude more of both of them in Russia than in the former USSR.

What can you do, the world is changing. Alpha is still criticized for Beslan and Nord-Ost to this day, blaming the security forces for an unjustifiably large number of victims. But, it must be said that in the same notorious Moscow theater, Alpha people corrected the mistakes of other people who showed phenomenal carelessness and indifference. The result was 129 dead hostages, mainly from the effects of paralytic.

However, the professionalism and highest fighting qualities of the Alpha fighters are beyond doubt. Suffice it to recall the storming of Amin’s palace in Kabul in 1979, numerous operations in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and others. For example, the liquidation of the leader of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov and the representative of Al-Qaeda in Chechnya and adjacent regions Abu Hawsa, release of hostages in Mineralnye Vody in 2001. As for criticism, it seems that the peculiarities of the Russian mentality have an effect. Criticize, look for the guilty, and sometimes even curse, accusing of all known mortal sins, but when it gets hot, tearfully beg for help.

5. Special forces of the French gendarmerie, the so-called intervention group. GIGN

Basic combat missions– operations to free hostages, this is the specificity of the group. During the capture of the Al-Harak Mosque in 1979 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, special forces were faced with the fact that the territory holy city Only Muslims may be admitted. Then three fighters of the group, and after that immediately joined the troops Saudi Arabia who liberated the mosque from terrorists. In total, the group’s combat account includes more than 600 freed hostages.

4. Special unit Sayeret Matkal, Israel

The main tasks are reconnaissance and information collection. Therefore, the fighters of this unit spend a lot of time behind enemy lines. Not everyone can withstand the extreme stress of the qualifying course (gibusha). are carried out under the supervision of doctors and a psychologist. Based on the results of the death, only the best are accepted into the unit. One of the group's most memorable operations was the release of an Israeli taxi driver named Ilyahu Gurel, who had been kidnapped by three Palestinians whom he had taken to Jerusalem. His captors held him in a 10-meter shaft in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Ramallah. However, special forces soldiers found him there too. As for the terrorists, they were given what they deserved.

3. UK Special Air Service, or SAS (Special Air Service)

This is, in a way, a double of a special unit Marine Corps SBS. The motto of this unit is “He who takes risks wins.” The SAS saw action in Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. As American General Stanley McChrystal noted, “Their participation was critical. We couldn't have done it without them." This statement best characterizes the role of the SAS in those events, as well as the level of combat training.

2. Special unit of the British Marine Corps - SBS (Special Boat Service)

There is also a very tough selection and high intensity of training. The training course includes all kinds of endurance tests, training in survival skills in combat conditions, training in the jungles of Belize, plus intensive interrogation of candidates for admission. You can take the test course no more than twice.

1. SEALs are an elite unit of the US Armed Forces

Main tactical unit of the force special operations US Navy. They are mainly engaged in reconnaissance, sabotage activities and the release of hostages, and also solve other tasks of a tactical nature (clearing mines, combating illegal border crossings). The formation of the detachment began in 1962. First of all, fighters who could swim well and wield bladed weapons were selected for the detachment. From 1962 to 1973, SEALs fought in Vietnam, both as part of reconnaissance teams and as instructors for Vietnamese soldiers. Invaded Grenada (Operation Flash of Fury, 1983). Participated in the Gulf War (Operation Main Chance). They fought in Panama and Afghanistan. On May 2, 2011, a Navy Special Forces team conducted a successful operation to eliminate Bin Laden.

The specificity of training fur seals is that they perceive water not as an obstacle, but as natural environment. Service in the SEAL places increased demands on the health of fighters, both physical and psychological, and therefore the training there is appropriate. What is “” worth when for 5 days the fighters sleep only 4 hours a day, and the rest of the time is occupied with survival tests. The motto of the Navy SEALs - “the only easy day was yesterday” clearly indicates the progressive nature of the loads, which are already to an ordinary person will seem overwhelming.

For three minutes you are an eagle, and then you work like a horse - why do all conscripts strive to become paratroopers, despite the fact that the airborne forces require exorbitant physical exertion? The author of “Star” Viktor Sokirko, who himself served in the Airborne Forces, writes about this.

The eyes are full of stripes - a few days ago sailors in black and white vests celebrated their professional holiday, today the most popular color in Russia is blue and white. On August 2, the airborne troops, especially revered in the country, celebrate their day. Landing mission. Blue berets. At the military registration and enlistment offices, even the weakest recruit first declares his desire to serve in the airborne forces. The best are selected - the status of the troops obliges us, especially since the specifics of the service here are somewhat exaggerated compared to other branches and branches of the Armed Forces. And the holiday is just a beautiful sign for the ceremonial days, behind which the harsh and intense service is hidden.

The history of the Airborne Forces is inferior in terms of time of formation to sailors, artillerymen, border guards, tank crews, sappers, and certainly infantry. The starting point is the exercises of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, when on August 2, 1930 the first airborne assault. But this is a glorious story, which, since the Great Patriotic War, was replenished with the exploits and courage of the troops, which became a symbol of courage and readiness to complete any assigned tasks. It is no coincidence that the paratroopers’ motto is: “Nobody but us!” and “No task is impossible.”

But the peak of the popularity of the Airborne Forces came during the command of the troops of the legendary Army General Vasily Filippovich Margelov, who was in this position from 1954 to 1979 (with some interruption in demotion to the level of deputy). Margelov “gave” the paratroopers not only blue berets and vests, which are now a symbol of the Airborne Forces. Under his command, new D-6 parachutes, armored vehicles BMD and BTRD, adapted for parachute landing, appeared in service. The foundation was laid for the development of airborne troops as special forces. Even modern paratroopers who did not see Commander Margelov in their service continue to believe that among other abbreviations VDV - Airborne Forces, there is one such as Uncle Vasya's Troops, named in honor of Vasily Filippovich.

By the way, the decoding of the abbreviation VDV, in addition to the official one, is very broad. Here are just a few options. “Two Hundred Options Are Possible,” hinting that the paratroopers have to act in different situations, including without the use of landing, and for constantly changing combat missions.

“A paratrooper can withstand anything” is an axiom that is instilled in a paratrooper from the first days of service, when an exorbitant degree of physical exertion can break even a very trained young man. There is an unwritten law in the troops - those who are not ready for such tests are transferred to other units without any special incriminating comments. And they accept into their ranks guys who ended up in other troops, but wrote reports asking to be transferred to the Airborne Forces.

“In my memory, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of cases when requests for a desire to serve in the airborne forces came from soldiers assigned to other troops,” recalls ex-commander of the Airborne Forces (1996-2003), Colonel General Georgy Shpak. - I always put the resolution: “I agree.” If the young man is so persistent in his desire to serve in the Airborne Forces, already understanding that airborne service will not be sweet, then why not give him a chance? Many of these guys subsequently entered the airborne school and became professional soldiers. We also had to deal with such situations when applicants who did not pass sufficiently high competitive exams at the Ryazan Higher Military Airborne Command School did not go home, but remained to live in an almost illegal situation near training center. They dug dugouts, it was unclear how they ate, they organized their own daily routine and did physical training. With the hope that they will still be accepted into the school. And some of them achieved their goal - when places were freed up at the expense of those cadets who could not stand the test airborne service and wrote a dismissal report. Service in the airborne forces must not only be loved for the sake of the beauty of the uniform and the admiring glances of the girls, it must be devoted to the marrow of the bones. It is precisely such men who receive the right to bear the title of paratrooper.”

Airborne Forces already more than once they were the reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Now they also remain in this status, but not only because of their professional characteristics. « Winged troops“In recent years, they have transformed into a force that is capable of solving problems of a high degree of responsibility. Now shock units have appeared in the troops - these are those airborne formations that, in addition to being equipped with modern weapons and equipment, show excellent results in combat training. The title of “percussion” is given not by involvement, but precisely by merit. This is the stimulus that every connection strives for or military unit Airborne Forces The first to receive this title were the paratroopers of the 104th Airborne Regiment of the Pskov 76th Airborne Division, as well as three parachute battalions and two parachute companies. Among the candidates are almost the entire composition of the formations and units of the Airborne Forces.

Now in combat as part of the Airborne Forces There are four divisions - air assault divisions in Novorossiysk and Pskov, airborne divisions in Ivanovo and Tula. Separate brigades are stationed in Ulyanovsk, Ulan-Ude, Kamyshin and Ussuriysk. The special-purpose brigade, in addition to its location near Moscow in Kubinka and Solnechnogorsk, is also located in other regions of Russia. The total number of airborne forces is estimated at 45 thousand people, most of of which are professional military personnel.

Just one list of equipment and airborne weapons could take several pages, starting from BMD-4M, BTR-MDM “Rakushka”, ending with shooting knives (their tactical and technical characteristics can be found on the website of TC “Zvezda”). But still, the main “trick” of the airborne troops is parachute jumps. There are also plenty of special landing systems here. The main parachute for airborne units is the D-10, which is now being modernized for landing from both military transport aircraft and helicopters and other light aircraft. Received positive reviews and already actively used by the troops parachute systems"Crossbow" and "Forester" are considered the best in the world and, in addition to Russian units special purpose, are also used in regular airborne units.

“The first parachute jump is the first step for initiation into the great airborne brotherhood,” says the first deputy chairman of the Committee on Defense and Security of the Northern Fleet, Franz Klintsevich, who served in the airborne forces. - The feeling is incomparable when you soar above the ground and even control the dome above your head. But, as they say in the Airborne Forces, you are an eagle in the sky for three minutes, and then you plow like a horse. And our paratroopers gained fame precisely on the ground, because a parachute is only a means of delivery to the earth’s surface. The sky is romance, daisies in the sky, and then the main thing begins combat work. I would like to point out to you that our airborne troops deserve their glory and pride precisely for their cohesion and willpower. This is a special caste, where even a young fighter is instilled with a sense of community, collectivism, responsibility for his comrades and an indispensable rule - to complete the assigned task. For me personally, service in the airborne forces has become the core of my life that dictates - not a step back, only forward.”

Well, in order to dispel the myths about the reasons for paratroopers to bathe in fountains on Airborne Forces Day, which are tied to the patron saint of paratroopers, Ilya the Prophet, revered on August 2, you can note that everything depends only on the weather. Now, it seems, Hydromet gives the go-ahead for water procedures at least in the Central region of Russia. For the airborne forces!

On August 2, Russia celebrates Airborne Forces Day. As always, groups in vests and blue berets will try to find mutual language with the police and go swimming in the fountains. And in Moscow they are planned procession and a festive concert.

Paratroopers are often called the elite of the army. Experts interviewed by Radio Liberty talk about the criteria for elitism in general, applicable to the Soviet and Russian armies, and about airborne troops in particular.

Military observer Alexander Golts considers the definition of “elite troops” to be purely subjective:

Eliteness is determined, first of all, by the severity of selection into the troops and the skills possessed by the serviceman of these troops. By definition, elite troops cannot be massive. An example is the Marine Corps. For Russia, where there are only a few marine brigades, these are, of course, elite troops.
The Soviet Union also, of course, had elite troops. This applied to the above-mentioned intelligence units, marines, airborne troops and special forces brigades of the Main Intelligence Directorate.

Many films were made about the airborne troops in the Soviet Union, which made many boys want to serve in the Airborne Forces. However Chief Editor website "Agentura.ru" Andrei Soldatov says that the real elite had no direct connection to the landing:

IN Soviet time was a big difference between special forces and airborne forces. And even if special forces officers were trained at the Ryazan Airborne School, it was still a separate course. Physical strength has always been cultivated among the paratroopers - all those broken bricks, big biceps, vests. And the special forces always looked down on this somewhat. The special forces recruited mostly people who were small in stature and rather fragile, who treated flaunting their physical power not only with contempt, but with a smile. The special forces valued intelligence, the ability to plan some daring actions, and not brute physical strength. And the formation of the famous 45th Special Forces Regiment as part of the Airborne Forces is a new phenomenon that has appeared in the Russian army.

Artem Sheinin, a television journalist working in a senior position in one of the largest Russian television companies, talks about his paratrooper past. In the mid-80s, he was drafted into the Airborne Forces, ended up in Afghanistan, and fought in an airborne assault battalion. In the Armed Forces of the USSR, Artem Sheinin, wearers of blue vests and berets were truly the elite, including due to the fact that they were looked after in advance:

On a national scale, there was a system of pre-conscription, pre-army training of people for service in the Airborne Forces. This was a widespread practice. We met most of the people with whom I was later in Fergana back in February 1984. I was drafted in April 1984, and in February 1984 we jumped at the Volosov airfield in the Moscow region.

Everything that is happening to the Russian army now does not correspond to my idea of ​​a combat-ready army. It is difficult for me to judge the state of aviation and the Strategic Missile Forces, but I know for sure that it is impossible to raise a normal Airborne Forces fighter in a year of service, even if during this year, as they say, he will not be engaged in kitchen assignments or household chores. I know quite a lot of people from big cities who are for Lately served in the army and were drafted into the Airborne Forces. But I have not heard anything about how now, as in Soviet times, military registration and enlistment offices would organize the mass transportation of those conscripted into the Airborne Forces for training jumps.

Nevertheless, Artem Sheinin is confident that the landing force still remains the elite of the Russian army, if only because of the tasks for which these units are prepared. Artem says this with the hope that in real life the order to carry out such tasks will never come.