Peacekeeping activities of the Russian armed forces. Abstract: Peacekeeping activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. UN peacekeeping operations Peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces in brief
International activities of the Armed Forces Russian Federation today is inextricably linked with the implementation military reform in our country and reforming the Armed Forces. As you know, the starting point for reforming the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 16, 1997 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure.” On July 31, 1997, the President approved the Concept for the development of the Armed Forces for the period until 2000.
Military reform is based on a solid theoretical basis, the results of calculations, taking into account the changes that took place in the early 90s. in the geopolitical situation in the world, the nature international relations and the changes that have occurred in Russia itself. The main goal of the military reform is to ensure the national interests of Russia, which in the defense sphere are to ensure the security of the individual, society and the state from military aggression from other states.
Currently, to prevent war and armed conflicts in the Russian Federation, preference is given to political, economic and other non-military means. At the same time, it is taken into account that, while the non-use of force has not yet become the norm of international relations, national interests The Russian Federation requires sufficient for its defense military power. In this regard, the most important task of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is to ensure nuclear deterrence in the interests of preventing both nuclear and conventional large-scale or regional war.
Protecting the national interests of the state presupposes that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must ensure reliable protection countries. At the same time, the Armed Forces must ensure that the Russian Federation carries out peacekeeping activities both independently and as part of international organizations. Security interests national security Russia is predetermined by the need for Russia's military presence in some strategically important regions of the world.
Long-term goals of ensuring Russia’s national security also determine the need for Russia’s broad participation in peacekeeping operations. The implementation of such operations is aimed at preventing or eliminating crisis situations at the stage of their inception.
Thus, at present, the Armed Forces are considered by the country’s leadership as a deterrent, as a last resort used in cases where the use of peaceful means did not lead to the liquidation military threat interests of the country. Performance international obligations Russia's participation in peacekeeping operations is considered as new task Armed Peacekeeping Forces.
The main document that determined the creation peacekeeping forces Russia, the principles of their application and the procedure for use, is the Law of the Russian Federation “On the procedure for providing the Russian Federation with military and civilian personnel to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security” (adopted State Duma May 26, 1995). To implement this law, in May 1996, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree 637 “On the formation of a special military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security.”
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova on June 23, 1992 on the basis of the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The total number of peacekeeping troops was about 500 people. On March 20, 1998, negotiations were held in Odessa to resolve the Transnistrian conflict with the participation of Russian, Ukrainian, Moldavian and Transnistrian delegations.
Military contingent to the conflict zone in South Ossetia(Georgia) was introduced on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Dagomys Agreement between the Russian Federation and Georgia to resolve the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The total number of this contingent was more than 500 people. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in Abkhazia on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on a Ceasefire and Separation of Forces. The total number of this contingent was about 1,600 people.
Since June 11, 1999, Russian peacekeepers have been on the territory of the autonomous region of Kosovo (Yugoslavia), where in the late 90s. A serious armed confrontation arose between the Serbs and Albanians. The number of Russian contingents was 3,600 people. The separate sector occupied by the Russians in Kosovo gave the Russian Federation equal rights in resolving this interethnic conflict with the five leading NATO countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy).
Completion of control bodies, military units and units of the special military contingent is carried out on a voluntary basis through preliminary (competitive) selection of military personnel undergoing military service by contract. The training and equipment of peacekeeping forces is carried out at the expense of federal budget funds allocated for defense.
While serving as part of a special military contingent, military personnel enjoy the status, privileges and immunities that are granted to UN personnel during peacekeeping operations in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 13, 1996, the Convention on UN Security of December 9, 1994, Protocol on the status of Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS of May 15, 1992.
The personnel of the special military contingent are equipped with light small arms. When performing tasks in the CIS countries personnel is provided with all types of allowances according to the standards established in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The preparation and training of peacekeeping troops is carried out at the bases of a number of formations of the Leningrad and Volga-Ural military districts, as well as at the Higher Officer Courses “Vystrel” in the city of Solnechnogorsk (Moscow region).
The CIS member states concluded an Agreement on the preparation and training of military and civilian personnel to participate in collective peacekeeping operations, determined the procedure for training and education, and approved training programs for all categories of military and civilian personnel assigned to collective peacekeeping forces. The international activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation include joint exercises, friendly visits and other events aimed at strengthening common world and mutual understanding. 711 August 2000, a joint Russian-Moldovan peacekeeping exercise “Blue Shield” was held.
In addition, Russian military personnel are part of the peacekeeping contingent of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. This contingent was formed in October 2007. It is intended, first of all, to participate in peacekeeping operations on the territories of the CSTO member states (by decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council), as well as outside these states (based on the Mandate issued by the Council UN Security).
MILITARY THOUGHT No. 6 (11-12)/1998, pp. 11-18
Peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces
Colonel GeneralV.M.BARYNKIN ,
Doctor of Military Sciences
UNDER THE INFLUENCE of what happened in last years on international arena fundamental changes, a qualitatively new geopolitical situation has emerged, characterized by a significant reduction in the threat of the outbreak of large-scale wars. At the same time, one cannot help but notice the increased tension in certain regions of the world. The likelihood of crisis situations escalating into open armed conflicts has become higher African continent, Middle East, in South-East Asia, Eastern Europe, including in the CIS. This is evidenced quite eloquently by the events in Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and in the Russian Federation itself (Ossetia, Ingushetia, Chechnya).
Experiencing a period of complex socio-economic transformations, Russia is vitally interested in maintaining international, regional and internal stability. Armed conflicts both within the country and near its borders cause significant damage to national and state interests, and therefore Russia’s participation in all forms of peacekeeping activities is quite natural.
Peacekeeping activities for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are largely new, despite the fact that practical participation in UN peacekeeping operations (PKOs) began in October 1973, when the first group of Russian military observers was sent to the Middle East. And currently, six groups of Russian military observers with a total of 54 people participate in peacekeeping operations conducted under the auspices of the UN: four in the Middle East (one person each in Syria, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon), 11 on the Iraq-Kuwait border , 24 in Western Sahara, nine in the former Yugoslavia and three each in Georgia and Angola.
It should be noted that the role of military observers in peacekeeping operations is very limited and is reduced mainly to monitoring the implementation of agreements reached on a truce or ceasefire between the warring parties, as well as preventing (without the right to use force) their possible violations.
Peacekeeping efforts require a completely different scale and forms of participation when it is necessary to extinguish the fire of an armed conflict between or within states and force the warring parties to cease hostilities and restore peace. Today, the Russian Armed Forces have to solve these extraordinary tasks in a number of regions of Europe and the CIS. Thus, in April 1992, for the first time in the history of Russian peacekeeping activities in former Yugoslavia was sent Russian battalion numbering 900 people (in January 1994 it was increased to 1200 people). Stationed in Croatia, he carried out tasks to separate the conflicting parties (Serbs and Croats). In February 1994, part of the Russian contingent of the UN force was redeployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure the separation of the warring parties (Bosnian Serbs and Muslims) and to monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement. Russian military contingent (separate airborne brigade two-battalion composition with combat and logistics support), numbering 1,600 people, also took part in Operation Joint Endeavor, carried out by a multinational force since December 1995 and aimed at implementing the General Framework Agreement for Peace in the region. During the operation, the military block of issues defined by the Dayton Agreements was practically completed, while some political issues remained unresolved (the problem of returning refugees to their places of former residence, the lack of freedom of movement of citizens, the status of the city of Brčko was not determined). The main result was that thanks to the presence of peacekeeping forces, after almost four years civil war Peace was restored in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Today, military contingents of the Russian peacekeeping forces (PKF) are participating in OPM and in the CIS: in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova (two battalions numbering about 500 people), in South Ossetia (one battalion - over 500 people), in Tajikistan ( motorized rifle division- about 7000 people), in Abkhazia (three battalions - over 1600 people). Russian peacekeepers are represented by military personnel of two formations and individual parts Ground and airborne forces. In total, since 1992, more than 70 thousand Russian military personnel have become participants in the PKO (taking into account rotation every six months).
Currently, Russia, together with OSCE representatives, is actively participating in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Much has already been done; the ceasefire agreement reached has been maintained for more than four years. But much more effort is required before a complete settlement is achieved. And we are ready to introduce a military contingent of the Russian Armed Forces there to establish peace in this region, if that is the will of the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The initiative in solving major peacekeeping tasks is usually taken by a group of states under the auspices of the UN or an international organization that has the appropriate authority, significant material and financial means. Russia has never objected to such interested participation in resolving conflicts in the CIS. However, as practice shows, European states and the OSCE are in no hurry to participate on a large scale in resolving conflicts on the territory of the Commonwealth states, limiting themselves mainly to the functions of monitoring and providing assistance in establishing contacts between the conflicting parties. Russia cannot wait for them to reconsider their attitude to this problem and therefore is forced to act independently, based primarily on the interests of national security and its international obligations.
Russia's peacekeeping efforts in the CIS are natural and justified. Of course, the crisis processes in our country make it difficult for it to fulfill the role of an authoritative arbiter capable of persuasion, and if necessary, then economic power or military force, to force the parties to resolve the conflict by peaceful means, to ensure calm and restoration of stability in the region. And yet Russia is actually the only state on the territory former USSR, which not only shows political interest, but also has sufficient military and logistical resources to conduct operations to maintain and restore peace. Russia's non-participation in peacekeeping activities would deprive it of the opportunity to influence the development of events in the international arena, and, more broadly, would affect the authority of our country in the world community.
Already the first experience of peacekeeping activities of Russia and its Armed Forces in individual CIS countries and in other regions has yielded tangible positive results. In a number of cases, it was possible to achieve a cessation of armed clashes between warring parties, prevent the death of civilians and destruction of the economy, localize (isolate) the conflict zone and stabilize the situation. Russia’s duty is to do everything possible so that, first of all, former members of the same family cease to quarrel with each other And restored good neighborly relations. The future of our country and its international authority largely depend on how quickly the bleeding wounds in the CIS countries are healed.
The basis for the participation of the Russian Federation, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, in peacekeeping operations are norms international law: UN Charter, decisions of the Security Council and its Military Staff Committee, resolutions of the UN General Assembly, OSCE, and the Charter of the Commonwealth Independent States and the Agreement of the CIS Heads of State on Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces. A number of regulations in this area contain the Basic Provisions military doctrine Russian Federation, which states that our state promotes the efforts of the world community, various collective security bodies to prevent wars and armed conflicts, maintain or restore peace and considers it possible to use the Armed Forces and other troops to carry out operations to maintain or restore peace in accordance with the decision UN Security Council or international obligations.
To date, the Commonwealth has adopted a number of documents that collectively define general mechanism and the most important conspecific details of peacekeeping operationserations. They can be divided into three main groups.
TO first refer to the provisions of the CIS Charter adopted in January 1993, which establishes principled approaches to resolving disputes and preventing conflicts between member states of the Commonwealth.
Second group documents are devoted to specific issues of the formation and activities of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS. On March 20, 1992, in Kiev, at a meeting of the top leaders of the CIS member states, an Agreement on Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS was signed, and on May 15 of the same year, in Tashkent, three protocols were signed: on the status of Military Observer Groups and Collective Forces on maintaining peace in the CIS; on the temporary procedure for the formation and deployment of Military Observer Groups and Collective Forces in conflict zones between the CIS states, as well as a protocol on the recruitment, structure, logistics and financial support of these groups and forces. On September 24, 1993, the Agreement on the Collective Peacekeeping Forces was signed, supplemented by documents on the status of their unified command and the funding scheme. Despite the fact that these documents are not included in the list of official international legal acts on peacekeeping operations in the CIS, it was on their basis that on the same day the decision was made to form Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Republic of Tajikistan. On January 19, 1996, at a meeting of the top leadership of the CIS countries, the Concept for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts in the CIS and the Regulations on the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS were adopted.
Third group establishes a mechanism for making decisions on the conduct of specific peacekeeping operations on the territory of the Commonwealth, and also includes documents that allow regularly extending the mandates of peacekeeping operations (for example, in Abkhazia, Tajikistan).
Domestic legal acts regulating the participation of military contingents of the Armed Forces in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security are: Federal Law “On the procedure for the provision by the Russian Federation of military and civilian personnel to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security” (1995 g.), Decree of the President of the Russian Federation “On the formation of a special military contingent V composition of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate V activities to maintain or restore international peace and security" (1996), Regulations on the Special Military Contingent V composition of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security (1996) - In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Defense in June 1996 approved the List of formations and military units of the Armed Forces intended for participation V activities to maintain or restore international peace and security. On December 7, 1996, the Minister of Defense signed the order “On measures to implement the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 19, 1996 No. 1251 “On approval of the Regulations on a special military contingent in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security " This order recognizes the participation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in operations to maintain or restore international peace and security as one of important areas their activities. At the same time, the functions and principles of the use of the special military contingent of the Russian Federation comply with the legal standards for the use of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces.
The decision to send military contingents of the Russian Armed Forces outside its borders to participate in peacekeeping activities is made by the President of the Russian Federation on the basis of a corresponding resolution of the Federation Council Federal Assembly RF.
Russian peacekeeping forces can be involved in resolving an armed conflict on the basis of interstate agreements: as a third neutral party-mediator (Transnistria region of the Republic of Moldova, South Ossetia, Georgia); as part of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces (Republic of Tajikistan); as part of the Collective Peacekeeping Force (Abkhazia); under the auspices of the UN, OSCE, and other regional organizations (former Yugoslavia).
The general management of operational operations carried out on the territory of the CIS with the participation of the RF Armed Forces is carried out by Council of Heads of State - Members of the CIS combined with control by an internationally recognized, multinational political organization(UN or OSCE), and PKOs conducted on the basis of bilateral agreements - by specially created joint (mixed) control commissions. A clear mandate must be developed in writing, outlining the objectives of the operation, its expected duration, those responsible for its implementation and their authority. For example, the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in Abkhazia and the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in Tajikistan have such a mandate.
However, the situation in local conflicts it often turns out like this in a dangerous way that Russia has to act essentially without a carefully developed political mandate and a system of political control over the activities of peacekeeping forces. However, even in such cases it is possible positive effect, as evidenced by the cessation of armed confrontation in South Ossetia and Transnistria, when the achieved ceasefire created the preconditions for a political settlement of the conflict.
A necessary condition for conducting an AAR is consent of the parties. Russia proceeds from the fact that the MS can be deployed and act only after the international body and the conflicting parties have previously signed a corresponding agreement or received clear guarantees from the latter that they agree with the introduction of peacekeeping forces into the conflict zone and do not intend to oppose them. In other words, the deployment of these forces should occur, as a rule, after the situation has stabilized and if the parties have the political will to resolve the conflict through political methods. This is all the more important since the ICJ often does not have all the means to enforce its mandate and is obliged to cooperate with the opposing parties to this end.
The deployment of peacekeeping activities on the territory of the CIS countries also begins after political decision(issuing a mandate for a peacekeeping operation) of the Council of Heads of State - Members of the CIS. ABOUT the decision taken The Commonwealth Heads of State Council informs the UN Security Council and the OSCE Chairmanship.
The immediate motive for Russia's involvement in peacekeeping operations on the territory of the CIS countries is the appeal of other states to it for assistance in resolving conflicts.
There are some peculiarities in the deployment of peacekeeping activities when an armed conflict takes place within a state. As experience shows, in this case it is necessary to seek consent to conduct a peacekeeping operation of all forces participating in the conflict, even if some of them do not represent state power. An example of this is the Agreement on the principles of a peaceful settlement in Transnistria, signed by the presidents of Russia and Moldova on July 21, 1992. In accordance with it, mixed peacekeeping forces have been created, which include military contingents from Transnistria, Moldova and Russia. A similar agreement was signed during the settlement of the conflict in South Ossetia.
In contrast to the practice of using UN peacekeeping forces, the Russian MS, as well as observers, were in a number of cases deployed to the line of contact between the parties when a ceasefire had not yet been achieved. They became, as it were, a buffer between the warring parties and formed a demilitarized zone. MF contingents are currently located in this zone, with each unit having its own area of control. Units from the warring sides are deployed together with the Russian ones, and the patrols, posts and outposts that are staffed, as a rule, have a mixed composition.
In accordance with established international practice direct control of the OPM, Conducted under the auspices of the UN, international peacekeeping forces are officially under the command of the UN Secretary-General, who speaks on behalf of the Security Council. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, takes an active part in the implementation by this body of its control functions. With the consent of the Security Council Secretary General The UN appoints a special representative to directly lead the operation, as well as a commander responsible for military unit ongoing action.
Management and control during anti-aircraft operations on the territory of countries- CIS participants are somewhat different from generally accepted international practice.
With the adoption of a political decision to conduct a specific peacekeeping operation and the conclusion of a corresponding interstate treaty (agreement), i.e. by receiving a mandate to carry it out, it is created Mixed (Joint) Control Commission (JCC or JCC) on a multilateral basis. It organizes the entry of the MS into the conflict area, and in addition, it is endowed with the necessary powers of its governments to resolve political, economic, military and other issues in the areas where peacekeeping missions are carried out, and determines the structure of the Joint Military Command and the Joint Headquarters of the peacekeeping forces. They include representatives of the Russian Migration Forces and military formations of the conflicting parties. To ensure the security regime within the security zone, commandant's offices of peacekeeping forces are created. Direct leadership of each specific operation is entrusted to the commander appointed by the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth. Military observers appointed by the parties, as well as observers from the UN, OSCE and other regional international organizations interact with the Control Commission and the Joint Staff. Management of MS units is carried out by decision of the Joint Staff and is not much different from the usual army scheme.
Concerning composition of the peacekeeping forces, then the interests of Russia correspond to the option when, on the basis of intergovernmental agreements, they include military contingents from various states. The established practice of non-participation in peacekeeping operations by contingents from particularly interested countries or countries bordering the state (states) on whose territory (or between which) a military conflict broke out is no longer considered the norm in the new realities. At the same time, agreements on the composition of forces have their own specifics compared to UN practice. For example, the Agreement on the principles of resolving the conflict in South Ossetia, signed on June 24, 1992 by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia, established a Mixed Control Commission consisting of representatives of North and South Ossetia, Georgia and Russia. Under it, with the consent of the parties, Mixed Peacekeeping Forces were created, as well as Mixed Observer Groups located along the perimeter of the security zone. The development of the mechanism for using these forces was entrusted to the Mixed control commission. As a result of the measures taken in South Ossetia, it was possible to separate the warring parties, stabilize the situation, and then move on to finding ways for its political settlement.
A few words must be said about the conflict in Tajikistan, since here the first attempt was made to put into practice the Agreement on Collective Peacekeeping Forces signed within the CIS. Adopted after a thorough study of the trends in the development of the internal political situation in a number of republics of the former USSR, it reflects the desire of Russia and its neighbors, in parallel with practical measures to eliminate conflicts, to form sustainable mechanisms for peacekeeping activities within the Commonwealth for participation in possible peacekeeping operations. We do not exclude the possibility of involving peacekeeping forces of other countries under the UN or OSCE flag in peacekeeping operations in the CIS, if the need arises. The first example of such participation was Tajikistan, where a group of UN observers began work in January 1993.
International standards regulate and use of force in PKO. Russia believes that, as a rule, international peacekeeping forces will continue to be armed only with small arms and light weapons. military equipment and resort to the use of force only in self-defense (which is interpreted as countering armed attempts to obstruct the implementation of the mandate of international forces).
An important principle of the use of international peacekeeping forces in peacekeeping operations is impartiality, those. refusal of actions that may harm the rights, position or interests of the parties involved in the conflict.
International law requires maximum openness and publicity during a peacekeeping operation (restrictions in this regard are possible only for security reasons). Unified (military and political) command of the operation and constant coordination of political and military actions must be ensured.
Compliance with these principles and requirements international community considers it a very important condition for both the success of a peacekeeping operation and the recognition of the legitimacy of certain actions carried out by groups of countries that have a mandate from the UN, OSCE or other organizations.
The role of our country as an authoritative peacekeeping force is increasingly recognized in the world. In special decisions on Abkhazia and Tajikistan, the UN Security Council welcomed Russia's actions to resolve conflicts in these regions. It is noted in UN circles that Russian peacekeeping enriches the international practice of peacekeeping operations.
Russia is actively participating in practical developments and consultations on peacekeeping activities with various international organizations (UN, OSCE, NATO and others), as well as with interested countries. Thus, in 1994, on the territory of the Totsky training ground and in 1995, on the territory of Fort Riley (Kansas, USA), joint Russian-American command and staff exercises of peacekeeping forces were held. They were preceded by painstaking work by the leadership of the Russian and US ministries of defense, experts, and commanders of units allocated to the peacekeeping forces. A special “Russian-American manual on the tactics of peacekeeping forces during exercises” was developed and published in English and Russian. During the seminars and meetings, the parties came to a deeper understanding of the essence of peacekeeping operations, including such concepts as maintaining and restoring peace, logistical support for operations, considered issues of joint decision-making and personnel training, and developed common symbols to designate troops during conducting joint exercises.
Units of the Russian Armed Forces took part in the multinational peacekeeping exercises “Peace Shield-96” in Ukraine, “Tsentrazbat-97” in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It is planned that units of the Russian Armed Forces will participate in the peacekeeping exercises “Tsentrazbat-98” on the territory of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and within the framework of the “Partnership for Peace” program - on the territory of Albania and in Macedonia. According to the author, the practice of conducting such exercises is fully justified. It promotes mutual enrichment of experience in peacekeeping activities and makes an undoubted contribution to the development international cooperation on conflict resolution in hot spots, and also lays the foundation for planning and developing joint exercises on peacekeeping issues with NATO and CIS countries.
Continues to develop regulatory framework for peacekeeping. In June 1998, the Federal Law “On the procedure for the provision by the Russian Federation of military and civilian personnel to participate in peacekeeping activities to maintain international peace and security” came into force, which determines the status and functions of peacekeeping forces, the procedure for their recruitment, as well as the financing of peacekeeping operations. In connection with the adoption of this law priority in modern conditions is the development of an effective mechanism for its implementation, capable of ensuring coordinated efforts in the peacekeeping field of all interested ministries and departments.
I would like to draw Special attention on financing the training and equipment of military units, intended to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace. Selection Money for the maintenance of military personnel during the period of participation in peacekeeping activities in accordance with Federal law should be carried out as a separate line of the federal budget. However, these costs are still borne by the Ministry of Defense. At best, separate funding for peacekeeping activities can only begin in January 1999.
So, main positions and views of Russia on the issue of participation in international peacekeeping efforts are as follows:
Firstly, Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, strives to take the most active and feasible part in peacekeeping activities;
Secondly, Russia gives priority to participation in peacekeeping activities within organizations such as the UN and OSCE;
Thirdly, a military peacekeeping operation should be carried out only in addition to political efforts for a settlement, and have clearly defined goals and political frameworks;
fourthly, Russia is ready, on the basis of a UN mandate, to consider models and forms of participation of the Russian military in operations to maintain and restore peace carried out within the framework of other regional structures ensuring security.
In conclusion, we emphasize: Russia’s peacekeeping meets its vital interests. Armed conflicts create a tense situation in the immediate vicinity of Russia’s borders, violate human rights, generate flows of refugees, disrupt established transport communications and economic ties, lead to significant material losses and can destabilize the political and economic situation in the country. Firmly pursuing a line to ensure peace and security, fulfilling obligations under agreements with the CIS countries, Russia does not oppose its peacekeeping efforts to anyone, does not demand for itself special situation and exclusive role, but advocates the broadest participation in this activity of the UN, OSCE, and other international institutions. The peoples of all states of the Earth are interested in this. And our task is to help fulfill their aspirations and hopes.
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The Russian Federation today is inextricably linked with the implementation of military reform in our country and the reform of the Armed Forces.
As you know, the starting point for reforming the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 16, 1997 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure.” On July 31, 1997, the President approved the Concept for the development of the Armed Forces for the period until 2000.
Military reform is based on a solid theoretical basis, the results of calculations, taking into account the changes that took place in the early 90s. in the geopolitical situation in the world, the nature of international relations and the changes that have occurred in Russia itself. The main goal of military reform is to ensure Russia’s national interests, which in the defense sphere are to ensure the security of individuals, society and the state from military aggression from other states.
Currently, to prevent war and armed conflicts in the Russian Federation, preference is given to political, economic and other non-military means. At the same time, it is taken into account that, while the non-use of force has not yet become the norm of international relations, the national interests of the Russian Federation require sufficient military power for its defense.
In this regard, the most important task of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is to ensure nuclear deterrence in the interests of preventing both nuclear and conventional large-scale or regional war.
Protecting the national interests of the state presupposes that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must provide reliable defense of the country. At the same time, the Armed Forces must ensure that the Russian Federation carries out peacekeeping activities both independently and as part of international organizations. The interests of ensuring Russia's national security predetermine the need for Russia's military presence in some strategically important regions of the world.
Long-term goals of ensuring Russia's national security also determine the need for Russia's broad participation in peacekeeping operations. The implementation of such operations is aimed at preventing or eliminating crisis situations at the stage of their inception.
Thus, at present, the Armed Forces are considered by the country's leadership as a deterrent, as a last resort used in cases where the use of peaceful means has not led to the elimination of a military threat to the interests of the country. Fulfillment of Russia's international obligations to participate in peacekeeping operations is considered as a new task of the Armed Forces for maintaining peace.
The main document that determined the creation of Russian peacekeeping forces, the principles of their use and the procedure for using them is the Law of the Russian Federation “On the procedure for providing the Russian Federation with military and civilian personnel to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security” (adopted State Duma on May 26, 1995).
To implement this law, in May 1996, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 637 “On the formation of a special military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security.”
In accordance with this decree, a special military contingent with a total number of 22 thousand people, consisting of 17 motorized rifle and 4 parachute battalions, was formed in the Russian Armed Forces.
In total, until April 2002, one thousand military personnel from the peacekeeping units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out tasks to maintain peace and security in two regions - the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, Abkhazia.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova on June 23, 1992 on the basis of the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The total number of peacekeeping troops was about 500 people.
On March 20, 1998, negotiations were held in Odessa to resolve the Dniester conflict with the participation of Russian, Ukrainian, Moldavian and Transnistrian delegations.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in South Ossetia (Georgia) on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Dagomys Agreement between the Russian Federation and Georgia to resolve the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The total number of this contingent was more than 500 people.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in Abkhazia on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on a Ceasefire and Separation of Forces. The total number of this contingent was about 1,600 people.
Since October 1993, the 201st Motorized Rifle Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has been part of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. The total number of this contingent was more than 6 thousand people (inset, photo 36).
Since June 11, 1999, Russian peacekeepers have been on the territory of the autonomous region of Kosovo (Yugoslavia), where in the late 90s. A serious armed confrontation arose between the Serbs and Albanians. The number of Russian contingents was 3,600 people. The separate sector occupied by the Russians in Kosovo gave the Russian Federation equal rights in resolving this interethnic conflict with the five leading NATO countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy).
Recruitment of administrative bodies, military units and subdivisions of special military contingents is carried out on a voluntary basis based on the preliminary (competitive) selection of military personnel serving under a contract. The training and equipment of peacekeeping forces is carried out at the expense of federal budget funds allocated for defense.
While serving as part of a special military contingent, military personnel enjoy the status, privileges and immunities that are granted to UN personnel during peacekeeping operations in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 13 1996, UN Security Convention of December 9, 1994, Protocol on the status of Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS of May 15, 1992.
The personnel of the special military contingent are equipped with small arms. When performing tasks on the territory of the CIS countries, personnel are provided with all types of allowances in accordance with the standards established in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
The preparation and training of military personnel of the peacekeeping contingent is carried out at the bases of a number of formations of the Leningrad and Volga-Ural military districts, as well as at the Higher Officer Courses “Vystrel” in the city of Solnechnogorsk (Moscow region).
The CIS member states concluded an Agreement on the preparation and training of military and civilian personnel to participate in collective peacekeeping operations, determined the procedure for training and education, and approved training programs for all categories of military and civilian personnel allocated to the collective support forces peace.
The international activities of the Russian Armed Forces include joint exercises, friendly visits and other events aimed at strengthening common peace and mutual understanding.
On August 7-11, 2000, the joint Russian-Moldovan peacekeeping exercise “Blue Shield” was held.
1.2. International peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces
According to official UN data, by the mid-90s, during major post-war conflicts, the death toll exceeded 20 million people, more than 6 million were maimed, 17 million refugees, 20 million displaced people, and these numbers continue to grow.
From the above it is clear that at the present stage global community faced a serious danger of being drawn into the verses of numerous, unpredictable in their consequences, difficult to control armed conflicts on a different basis, which is a destabilizing factor in the progress of society and requires additional efforts of states in the field of domestic and foreign policy, since any conflict, in its essence, poses a threat to any states and peoples. In this regard, international peacekeeping activities have in recent years become a priority area in the foreign and domestic policies of many states.
The practical participation of Russia (USSR) in UN peacekeeping operations began in October 1973, when the first group of UN military observers was sent to the Middle East.
Since 1991, Russia's participation in these operations has intensified: in April, after the end of the Gulf War, a group of Russian military observers (ROM) of the UN was sent to the Iraq-Kuwait border area, and in September to Western Sahara. Since the beginning of 1992, the scope of our military observers has expanded to Yugoslavia, Cambodia and Mozambique, and in January 1994 - to Rwanda. In October 1994, a UN RVN group was sent to Georgia, in February 1995 - to Angola, in March 1997 to Guatemala, in May 1998 - to Sierra Leone, in July 1999 - to East Timor, in November 1999 - to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Currently, peacekeeping operations carried out under the auspices of the UN involve ten groups of Russian military observers and UN staff officers totaling up to 70 people in the Middle East (Lebanon), on the Iraq-Kuwait border, in Western Sahara, in the former Yugoslavia, in Georgia, Sierra Leone, East Timor, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The main tasks of military observers are to monitor the implementation of armistice agreements, ceasefire between the warring parties, as well as to prevent, through their presence without the right to use force, possible violations of accepted agreements and understandings of the conflicting parties.
In April 1992, for the first time in the history of Russian peacekeeping activities, on the basis of resolution N743 of the UN Security Council and after completing the necessary internal procedures (decision of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation), a Russian infantry battalion of 900 people was sent to the former Yugoslavia, which in January 1994 reinforced with personnel and BTR-80 armored personnel carriers.
In accordance with the political decision of the Russian leadership, part of the forces of the Russian contingent of the UN forces in February 1994 was redeployed to the Sarajevo area and, after appropriate reinforcement, was transformed into a second battalion (numbering up to 500 people). The main task of this battalion was to ensure the separation of the parties (Bosnian Serbs and Muslims) and monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
In connection with the transfer of powers from the UN to NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Sarajevo sector battalion stopped performing peacekeeping tasks in January 1996 and was withdrawn to Russian territory.
In accordance with the decision of the UN Security Council on the completion of the UN mission in Eastern Slovenia from January 15, 1998, the Russian infantry battalion(up to 950 people), carrying out tasks to separate the parties (Serbs and Croats), was withdrawn in January this year. from Croatia to Russian territory.
In June 1995, a Russian peacekeeping unit appeared on the African continent.
In August 2000, a Russian aviation unit was again sent to the African continent as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone. This is a Russian aviation group consisting of 4 Mi-24 helicopters and up to 115 personnel.
Russia bears the main material costs with the participation of a special military contingent of the Russian Armed Forces in activities to maintain international peace and security in zones of armed conflicts on the territory of the CIS member states.
Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone from 23.7 and from 31.8.1992 on the basis of the Moldavian-Russian agreement on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova dated 21.7.1992.
The main task is to monitor compliance with the terms of the truce and assist in maintaining law and order.
South Ossetia. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Georgian-Russian Dagomys Agreement of 24.6. 1992 on the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
The main task is to ensure control over the ceasefire, the withdrawal of armed formations, the dissolution of self-defense forces and ensuring the security regime in the control zone.
Abkhazia. The military contingent was introduced into the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on Ceasefire and Separation of Forces of May 14, 1994.
The main tasks are blocking the conflict area, monitoring the withdrawal of troops and their disarmament, protecting important facilities and communications, escorting humanitarian cargo, and others.
Tajikistan. 201 medical units with reinforcements became part of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in October 1993 on the basis of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in military field dated May 25, 1993. Agreement of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States on Collective Peacekeeping Forces and joint measures for their logistical support.
The main tasks are assistance in normalizing the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, protecting vital facilities and others.
>>International (peacekeeping) activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
5.6. International (peacekeeping) activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
The international activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation today are inextricably linked with the implementation of military reform in our country and the reform of the Armed Forces.
As you know, the starting point for reforming the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 16, 1997 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure.” On July 31, 1997, the President approved the Concept for the development of the Armed Forces for the period until 2000.
Military reform is based on a solid theoretical basis, the results of calculations, taking into account the changes that took place in the early 90s. in the geopolitical situation in the world, the nature of international relations and the changes that have occurred in Russia itself. The main goal of military reform is to ensure Russia's national interests, which in the defense sphere are to ensure the security of individuals, society and the state from military aggression from other states.
Currently, to prevent war and armed conflicts in the Russian Federation, preference is given to political, economic and other non-military means. At the same time, it is taken into account that, while the non-use of force has not yet become the norm of international relations, the national interests of the Russian Federation require sufficient military power for its defense.
In this regard, the most important task of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is to ensure nuclear deterrence in the interests of preventing both nuclear and conventional large-scale or regional war.
The national interests of the state presuppose that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must ensure reliable defense of the country. At the same time, the Armed Forces must ensure that the Russian Federation carries out peacekeeping activities both independently and as part of international organizations. The interests of ensuring Russia's national security predetermine the need for Russia's military presence in some strategically important regions of the world.
Long-term goals of ensuring Russia's national security also determine the need for Russia's broad participation in peacekeeping operations. The implementation of such operations is aimed at preventing or eliminating crisis situations at the stage of their inception.
So currently Armed forces The country's leadership is considered a deterrent factor, as a last resort used in cases where the use of peaceful means has not led to the elimination of a military threat to the interests of the country. Fulfilling Russia's international obligations to participate in peacekeeping operations is considered a new task for the Armed Forces to maintain peace.
The main document that determined the creation of Russian peacekeeping forces, the principles of their use and the procedure for using them is the Law of the Russian Federation “On the procedure for providing the Russian Federation with military and civilian personnel to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security” (adopted by the State Duma on May 26, 1995 .).
To implement this law, in May 1996, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 637 “On the formation of a special military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security.”
In accordance with this decree, a special military contingent with a total strength of 22 thousand people, consisting of 17 motorized rifle and 4 parachute battalions, was formed in the Russian Armed Forces.
In total, until April 2002, one thousand military personnel from the peacekeeping units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out tasks to maintain peace and security in two regions - the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, Abkhazia.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova on June 23, 1992 on the basis of the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The total number of peacekeeping troops was about 500 people.
On March 20, 1998, negotiations were held in Odessa to resolve the Transnistrian conflict with the participation of Russian, Ukrainian, Moldavian and Transnistrian delegations.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in South Ossetia (Georgia) on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Dagomys Agreement between the Russian Federation and Georgia on the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The total number of this contingent was more than 500 people.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in Abkhazia on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on a Ceasefire and Separation of Forces. The total number of this contingent was about 1,600 people.
Since October 1993, the 201st Motorized Rifle Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has been part of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. The total number of this contingent was more than 6 thousand people (inset, photo 36).
Since June 11, 1999, Russian peacekeepers have been on the territory of the autonomous region of Kosovo (Yugoslavia), where in the late 90s. A serious armed confrontation arose between the Serbs and Albanians. The number of Russian contingents was 3,600 people. The separate sector occupied by the Russians in Kosovo gave the Russian Federation equal rights in resolving this interethnic conflict with the five leading NATO countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy).
Recruitment of administrative bodies, military units and units of special military contingents is carried out on a voluntary basis based on the preliminary (competitive) selection of military personnel undergoing military service. service by contract. The training and equipment of peacekeeping forces is carried out at the expense of federal budget funds allocated for defense.
While serving as part of a special military contingent, military personnel enjoy the status, privileges and immunities that are granted to UN personnel during peacekeeping operations in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 13, 1996, the Convention on UN Security of December 9, 1994, Protocol on the status of Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS of May 15, 1992.
The personnel of the special military contingent are equipped with small arms. When performing tasks on the territory of the CIS countries, personnel are provided with all types of allowances in accordance with the standards established in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Preparation and education military personnel of the peacekeeping contingent are carried out at the bases of a number of formations of the Leningrad and Volga-Ural military districts, as well as at the Higher Officer Courses “Vystrel” in the city of Solnechnogorsk (Moscow region).
The CIS member states concluded an Agreement on the preparation and training of military and civilian personnel to participate in collective peacekeeping operations, determined the procedure for training and education, and approved training programs for all categories of military and civilian personnel assigned to collective peacekeeping forces.
The international activities of the Russian Armed Forces include joint exercises, friendly visits and other events aimed at strengthening common peace and mutual understanding.
On August 7-11, 2000, the joint Russian-Moldovan peacekeeping exercise “Blue Shield” was held.
Questions and tasks
1. Meaning and role international activities The Russian Armed Forces in carrying out military reform.
2. Legal framework for peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces.
3. Status of military personnel of the Russian peacekeeping forces.
Smirnov A. T., Fundamentals of life safety: Textbook. for 11th grade students. general education institutions / A. T. Smirnov, B. I. Mishin, V. A. Vasnev. - 3rd ed. - M.: Education, 2002. - 159 p. - ill.
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