Special forces of Belarus. Nobody but them. What does the “capital of the Airborne Forces” look like and how do former paratroopers and helicopter pilots live? Where are the Airborne Forces units located in Belarus?
REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
At the turn of the 80s–90s. last century, rapidly developing instability greatly influenced all aspects of society. One of the important tasks was to bring down the crime wave and ensure order in society. Therefore, in the Republic of Belarus there are many units special purpose, and under each power ministry.
ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
5th SEPARATE SPECIAL PURPOSE BRIGADE
STORY
Formed in 1962 as an intelligence unit airborne unit, has a high level of combat training and vast combat experience. Stationed in Maryina Gorka, Pukhovichi district, Minsk region. She took part in hostilities as part of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, and carried out special events in Transcaucasia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The emergence of such military units and formations in Soviet army caused by the presence of, as it was commonly called, our probable enemy in Europe nuclear weapons tactical purpose. To tasks airborne brigades included destruction command posts And launchers missiles, fuel and ammunition supply bases, intelligence collection, sabotage of communications, and in the future, the organization of a partisan movement on enemy territory. Special forces were designed to conduct operations deep behind the lines in small groups. All brigades were directly subordinate to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff. Soon a unique unit appeared - a company consisting only of officers and warrant officers, well-trained professionals. The best of the best were selected, those who flawlessly mastered various styles of martial arts, shooting from all types small arms, including Western samples. Knowledge of foreign languages was a prerequisite. The military personnel also underwent a light diving training course according to the program naval special forces, mountaineering and trike piloting. The company was intended to carry out particularly important tasks in the interests of the GRU General Staff.
PREPARATION
The main direction of training is reconnaissance and sabotage activities. Scouts are taught to overcome swamps and water obstacles. “Field - Soldier Academy” - soldiers spend about seven months a year at the training ground.
In order to complete a task far from the main forces without loss, a special forces soldier must be universal soldier. His arsenal includes covert movement tactics, knowledge of engineering, mastery of hand-to-hand combat techniques and first aid skills. Distinctive features are skillful control of all types of army transport and the ability to accurately shoot from various types of small arms, including captured ones.
There are no mountains in Belarus, but there are many high-rise buildings. Therefore, the basis of training is urban mountaineering. Classes are held not only on the territory of the brigade, they are also organized jointly with colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB. Diving training classes are also conducted.
Special forces parachute from the sky, and in a variety of ways. Landing from high accuracy day and night, in all weather conditions. For this purpose, new parachutes have come into service here, which allow scouts to jump from any height and at any speed. aircraft. In addition to parachutes, special forces also have motorized hang gliders in their arsenal.
WEAPONS
Like many special forces of the former USSR republics, army special forces Belarus is equipped with weapons and equipment of Soviet and Russian origin.
KGB SPECIAL FORCES "Alpha"
The Alpha group under the USSR State Security Committee was created in 1974. In March 1990, the then KGB chairman V. Kryuchkov signed an order to create the 11th group of the USSR KGB with a deployment in Minsk. The document listed the tasks of the operational combat unit being created: localization and suppression of terrorist and extremist actions, especially dangerous criminal manifestations. Area of activity: Belarus and the Baltic republics.
From October 1991 to January 1992, the group was at the disposal of the Main Security Directorate under the Office of the President of the USSR. Then it became part of the structure of the central apparatus of the KGB of the Republic of Belarus. The group's fighters carried out special operational missions, and in 1992–1994. was involved to ensure the physical protection and safety of the leadership of Belarus and members of foreign delegations. The range of tasks gradually expanded; now it also includes the fight against organized crime, as well as illegal export precious metals, material and historical values outside the country.
SELECTION
When creating Alpha, preference was given to officers with combat experience, former paratroopers, and professional athletes. Today, higher education and military service are compulsory for candidates. Special attention focuses on the ability to withstand great psychological and physical stress. Average age fighters - 30–35 years old.
For some time there were rumors that Alpha fighters received military experience in Chechnya, but the group’s leadership stubbornly denies this.
SPECIAL FORCES OF BORDER FORCES
The Separate Active Measures Service (OSAM) is a unit whose task includes anti-terrorist activities in the border zone.
The history of the special forces of the KGB border troops under the Council of Ministers of the USSR began in 1981. The goal of the group operating in Afghanistan was to fight the counter-revolutionary underground and agents of enemy intelligence services.
OSAM appeared after the collapse Soviet Union, in 1993. Its first commander was Gennady Nevyglas. One of the primary tasks of the special forces was the fight against illegal migration. Later, new tasks appeared - the fight against economic crime and drug smuggling, countering terrorism and human trafficking.
On the uniform chevron of an OSAM fighter there are two crossed balls and a wind rose against the background of the country’s outline.
At one time, OSAM was headed by the chairman of the Border Committee, Igor Rachkovsky. And the eldest sons of the country’s president, Viktor and Dmitry Lukashenko, served in the special forces.
TASKS
For special forces units border service assigned the following tasks:
Conducting operations related to the implementation of operational information about hostile activities on the state border and at checkpoints through it for the intelligence services of foreign states, extremist and criminal groups;
Protection in extreme conditions premises, vehicles and other objects of operational bodies;
Carrying out reconnaissance and search activities;
Ensuring the security of events carried out by the management of the border service;
Release of hostages from among the military personnel of the troops, bodies and organizations of the border service;
Studying the operational situation in the areas (locations) of the group’s proposed actions, conducting reconnaissance of the specified areas (locations);
Participation in special events related to the implementation of specific operational information, information from interacting law enforcement agencies;
Participation in the search and detention of armed groups and persons who have crossed or are attempting to cross the border;
Ensuring the safety of border service management while traveling around the country and abroad;
Ensuring the safety of the operational staff of the border service during activities at the state border;
Ensuring the personal safety of PS military personnel and members of their families in cases provided for by law;
Ensuring the group's own safety.
WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
The weapons are predominantly of Soviet and Russian origin. The unit is equipped with modern radio stations. For off-road vehicles, the bumpers are additionally reinforced with rails, a steel bottom is welded on, and a rubber mixture is poured into the tires.
SPECIAL FORCES OF THE INTERNAL TROOPS OF THE MIA
3rd Separate Red Banner Special Purpose Brigade
The third separate Red Banner special forces brigade (military unit 3214, Uruchye) was formed on the basis of the 334th regiment of the 120th division. It is prepared both to disperse street actions and to participate in special operations. This percussion part internal troops. The number of personnel is 1500–2000 people. The brigade includes special purpose battalions, a special rapid reaction unit (SOBR) and support units.
The main tasks of the brigade are the fight against terrorism, actions in emergency situations, and preparation in the event of a military threat.
IN Peaceful time The brigade's fighters participate in maintaining public order in the capital of the republic and often go on missions outside of Minsk. During opposition street actions, the brigade is usually kept in reserve and used only in the most extreme cases.
The fighters receive comprehensive and varied training. The program includes acrobatics, hand-to-hand combat, strength training, athletic gymnastics, and cross-country. Much attention is paid to shooting from different types of weapons, as well as tactical and special training for actions in various situations.
In fact, the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs began with Almaz. True, at that time this unit was called “Berkut”, and its main purpose was to organize prison anti-terrorism. Similar detachments were created in other Soviet republics.
Today it is a rapid response unit. In 1994, the then head of Berkut and future Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Naumov took the initiative to rename the special unit “Almaz”. On the basis of the Department of Correctional Affairs of the former republics of the USSR, they urgently began to form a prison anti-terrorism unit. The order was signed on January 2, 1992. Vladimir Naumov, then still the commander of a patrol company, was appointed the first commander of the unit.
The main tasks being solved at that time were:
Release of hostages;
Detention of armed criminals;
Elimination of unrest in prisons.
The forces of the then small special forces carried out a number of operations to search for and detain dangerous criminals who escaped from pre-trial detention centers in Minsk and Brest. Hostages taken by repeat offenders in correctional colonies in Orsha and Minsk were freed, and a mass escape from the colony in Shklov was prevented.
As the nature of crime changed, so did the unit. At this time, many different criminal groups emerged. They started talking about the mafia, thieves' authorities, and the division of territories and spheres of influence. Belarusian terrorism was not limited to the walls of the colonies either. Greater use of special forces was required. The question of reorganization arose. A review of all special forces units was carried out, and the best was chosen - “Almaz”.
Since the fall of 1994, the unit has been transformed into a special unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, reporting personally to the minister. The fighters bear the responsibility for carrying out the most difficult tasks: eliminating terrorist attacks, freeing hostages, detaining various criminal armed groups.
The history of the name of the special forces is unique - in many countries such formations are still called “Berkut” or “Falcon”, but Belarusians took a different path. The new name was not chosen by chance - the diamond symbolizes hardness, purity, and nobility. In a memo for soldiers, their commander once wrote: “Always remember that a special forces officer must be pure and hard, like a diamond.”
Over the years of existence, SPBT "Almaz" has accumulated a huge practical experience, terrorist attacks were stopped and about 100 hostages were freed, together with the operational units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than five and a half thousand special operations were carried out to search for and suppress the activities of organized criminal groups and organizations. One of the most resonant events of Almaz was the detention in Minsk of suspects in the murder of Russian journalist Paul Klebnikov.
TASKS
The main objectives are:
Prevention of terrorist acts;
Detection and disposal of explosive devices;
Carrying out special measures to detect and detain dangerous armed criminals, to seize counterfeit banknotes, narcotic, chemical and radioactive substances and ammunition;
Ensuring the physical security of the operational staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
Conducting search and reconnaissance activities;
Security for judges and supervisors of the republic, senior officials of the state and foreign delegations.
The combat readiness of the unit is evidenced by the following fact: in the event of an alarm, the Almazovets must arrive at the base within 5–7 minutes. And within 20 minutes, reconnaissance and battle group. After another 20 minutes, the second group leaves behind.
Mostly officers come to Almaz from similar units of the Ministry of Defense, police special forces, security service for the head of state, and border troops. As a rule, these are people who have served at least five years and have already participated in special operations. Women also serve in Almaz - negotiators and snipers.
The armament corresponds to the armament of other special forces of Belarus.
Minsk Special Purpose Police Regiment
The regiment was formed in the fall of 2005 on the basis of a police detachment special purpose. Both then and now, the main task of the regiment is to protect public order during various mass actions.
Other tasks were:
Ensuring personal and property security of citizens on the streets and in other public places;
Prevention and suppression of offenses, group violations of public order and mass riots;
Participation, together with other services and divisions of internal affairs bodies, in detaining armed criminals, suppressing the activities of organized groups and criminal organizations;
Participation in special events and operations conducted by internal affairs bodies.
In addition, the unit’s fighters must be prepared for disasters, catastrophes, and natural and man-made accidents.
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Almost everyone knows that there are special forces in Uruchye, Maryina Gorka, Minsk, there are groups “Alpha” and “Almaz”. However, few people know how these structures differ from each other, who controls them, and what their functions are.
"Nasha Niva" presented short review main Belarusian special forces.
Uruchen special forces brigade
The third separate Red Banner special forces brigade (military unit 3214, Uruchye) was formed in the 1990s on the basis of the 334th regiment of the 120th division. It is prepared both to disperse street actions and to participate in special operations. This is the shock unit of the Internal Troops. Its number is about 1500-2000 people. The unit includes several units - special purpose battalions, Special Squad rapid response (SOBR) and support units.
The main tasks of the brigade are the fight against terrorism, actions in emergency situations, and combat training in the event of a military threat.
In peacetime, brigade soldiers perform functions of maintaining public order. Often representatives of the brigade go on missions outside of Minsk. For example, they guard the Slavic Bazaar.
During opposition street actions, the Uruchen brigade is usually kept as backup. They are used only in extreme cases, when the PMSN cannot cope with the demonstrators. Pavlichenko’s fighters were spotted several times during the presidential elections.
Pavlichenko himself, as a brigade commander, repeatedly stated that he was trying to educate fighters in the “spirit of Orthodoxy.” There is a temple on the territory of the unit.
Combat training is given great importance; it is several times stricter than in other military units. The program includes acrobatics, hand-to-hand combat, strength training, athletic gymnastics, and cross-country. Very great importance is attached to shooting from different types of weapons, as well as tactical and special training for actions in various situations.
It is worth noting that most ordinary soldiers are in the brigade for a year or a year and a half. This is the normal length of military service.
It was Pavlichenko who figured in the cases of Zakharenko and Gonchar - while those cases were being investigated by the KGB. In 2000, Lukashenko dismissed KGB Chairman Matskevich and Prosecutor General Bazhelko, and everything fell into place.
Minsk Special Purpose Police Regiment
The regiment was formed in the fall of 2005, shortly before the presidential elections. PMSN was created on the basis of riot police, and was headed by Yuri Podobed. As the then head of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Anatoly Kuleshov (today’s Minister of Internal Affairs), explained, the main objective The creation of the regiment was to protect public order during various mass actions.
According to him, the fighters of this unit must be prepared for disasters, catastrophes, natural and man-made accidents. Kuleshov said the third reason was that the creation of the regiment would give other police officers the opportunity to perform their immediate duties. Members of the regiment wear a black uniform. It was they who mainly participated in the dispersal of street protests, including on Oktyabrskaya Square.
PMSN was created at the personal request of Yuri Podobed, who complained that the number of events that needed security was constantly growing in the country. The staff was also greatly increased.
Now PMSN is managed by Alexander Lukomsky. He graduated from the Leningrad Higher Political School of Internal Troops (1992), the Police Academy (1998), and the Command and Staff Faculty of the Military Academy (2002). Before that, he headed the capital’s police brigade of internal troops (military unit 5448).
Maryina Gorka
Near Minsk, in Maryina Gorka (Pukhovichi district), there is a 5th separate special-purpose brigade. But it is not Internal troops. This special forces belongs to the Ministry of Defense.
The formation of the brigade began to take place in 1962.
Behind Soviet times The fighters reached a level of training that corresponded to the Vympel detachment of the KGB of the USSR. Soldiers from Maryina Gorka took an active part in the Afghan conflict. Two years after their withdrawal from there, the paratroopers from Maryina Gorka again found themselves at war. Almost the entire brigade (805 people) under the command of Colonel Bearded was in Armenia.
On December 31, 1992, former Soviet special forces soldiers swore allegiance to Belarus. The main areas of training for today's fighters in the unit are sabotage and reconnaissance. Scouts are taught to overcome swamps, water obstacles, and forests. For this purpose, exercises are often held in forests. They spend ten days in an unknown area.
In Maryina Gorka they believe that their unit is the most elite in the country. You can feel the unofficial competition and confrontation between the special forces from Uruchye and Maryina Gorka. Both there and there believe that their part is the best.
In 1996 former manager units in Maryina Gorka, Colonel Beard came out on the side of the Constitution, against Lukashenko.
"Diamond"
In fact, it began with Almaz Belarusian special forces in the late 1980s. True, at that time this unit was called “Berkut”, and its main purpose was to organize prison anti-terrorism units. They were also created in other Soviet republics.
Now it is a kind of rapid reaction squad. In 1994, the then head of Berkut and future Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Naumov took the initiative to rename the special unit “Almaz”. In a memo for soldiers, Naumov once wrote: “Always remember that a special forces officer must be pure and hard, like a diamond.”
In 2002, the Almaz base was opened personally by Alexander Lukashenko.
In the event of an alarm, the Almazovets must arrive at the base within 5-7 minutes. And within 20 minutes, reconnaissance and a combat group are sent to the scene of the incident anywhere in the country. After another 20 minutes, the second group leaves behind.
The functions of the "Almazovets" include the fight against terrorist activities, the release of hostages, the neutralization of explosives. “Almazovites” once detained suspects in the murder of Russian journalist Paul Klebnikov in Minsk.
“Almazovets” must train at least three times a week. These are not only sports exercises, fighters also go to barriers, manholes, and stairs in full equipment.
Mostly, Almaz recruits officers from similar units of the Ministry of Defense, police special forces, the security service of the head of state, and border troops. As a rule, these are people who have served for at least five years and have already participated in special operations. Women also serve in Almaz - negotiators and snipers.
It was Almaz employees who beat presidential candidate Alexander Kazulin on March 2, 2006. This year, fighters from the same detachment detained Mikalai Autukhovich and his associates. It was the former Almazovites who were convicted in the case of the disappearance of TV cameraman Dmitry Zavadsky.
"Almaz" is headed by Colonel Nikolai Karpenkov. He was still in Berkut when from 1992 to 1994. was the commander of the unit's combat group. In 2003, Karpenkov returned to Almaz as a commander.
"Alpha"
The Alpha group under the USSR State Security Committee was created back in 1974. In March 1990, the then chief security officer of the Union, Kryuchkov, signed a decree on the additional introduction of the Alpha group with a deployment in Minsk. Among the goals of creating the group were the localization and prevention of terrorist and extremist acts, especially dangerous criminal manifestations that threaten the security of the country. Initially, the group also operated in the Baltic countries.
It is interesting that until January 1992, Alpha was directly subordinate to the main directorate under the President of the USSR. Only then did it join the structure of the Belarusian KGB. Alpha fighters provide physical defense and security for the Belarusian leadership and distinguished foreign guests. The new responsibilities also included the fight against the illegal export of valuable metals, material and historical assets outside the country.
When creating Alpha, preference was given to Afghan officers, military personnel, and professional athletes. Now higher education and military service are mandatory for candidates. Attention is also given to the ability to withstand great psychological and physical stress. The age of the fighters is 30-35 years.
It is noted that staff turnover at Alpha is very low. It takes four to five years to become real professionals. All this time the fighter is in second or third roles. One complete equipment of an “alpha” member (body armor, helmet, weapons, ammunition) weighs more than 20 kilograms.
Deputy Supreme Council XII convocation from the Belarusian Popular Front Sergei Naumchik in his memoirs claims that it was Alpha employees who beat opposition deputies who went on a hunger strike in the oval hall.
For some time there were rumors that Alpha fighters received military experience in Chechnya, but the group's leadership stubbornly denies this. The head of the Alpha group is Colonel Nikolai Ivinsky.
Border Special Forces
Border guards also have their own special forces. This is the Separate Active Measures Service, perhaps the most closed and little-known special unit.
OSAM appeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1993. The first boss was Gennady Nevyglas.
First of all, the creation of the special unit was explained by the fight against illegal migration. Mostly citizens from Asian countries to Europe. This was precisely the first task.
Later, new ones appeared - the fight against economic crime and drug trafficking, countering transit terrorism and human trafficking.
Testing a future Osama citizen lasts from a year to two. During this time, the service record of the fighter and all close and distant relatives is checked with special attention. The average age of officers is 33 years. On the uniform chevron of an OSAM fighter there are two crossed balls and a wind rose against the background of the country’s outline.
At one time, OSAM was headed by the current chairman of the Border Committee, Igor Rachkovsky. And Lukashenko’s eldest sons, Viktor and Dmitry, served in the special forces.
What are they, the Forces? special operations The Republic of Belarus? Defending Russia looks to its nearest neighbor to find out.
In addition to them, MTRs use the latest Russian assault rifles- For example, . The butt of this machine gun is made of impact-resistant glass-filled polyamide, which clearly lightens the weight of the weapon. Its mass is 3.6 kg, rate of fire is 650 rounds per minute, sighting range is 50 m.
Now the MTR has the latest sets of special clothing and weapons for different environments of fighters. An “underwater paratrooper” in a set of “SCUBA” underwater equipment sits coquettishly with an Airborne Forces flag. It is equipped with a breathing apparatus with a buoyancy compensator, a neoprene wetsuit with gloves and boots, fins and a diving mask. There is a “paratrooper” with a set of diving equipment SLVI-71, which allows you to work at a depth of up to 40 m.
The “beekeeper” is wearing a “summer special” set.
And the sniper is dressed in a camouflage "Leshy". To the right of it is the windproof kit "Gorka-E".
The lyricism of the army names continues with the “Melted Snow” set of winter clothing for paratroopers.
August 2 marked the 85th anniversary of the creation of the Airborne Forces, the successors of which in our country were the special operations forces. Our freelance correspondent met with the commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus, Major General Vadim DENISENKO (pictured)
— Comrade Major General, in Belarus the airborne troops have been transformed into a new branch of the military - special operations forces. What is the fundamental difference?
— With the development of weapons and military equipment, views on the conduct of armed struggle, as well as on the use of airborne forces, have also transformed. Therefore, it was decided to create in our country, on the basis of units of the Airborne Forces, a separate branch of the Armed Forces - special operations forces.
Home distinctive feature MTR is that they are in constant readiness for use in both peaceful and war time and are intended to solve special problems in the interests of achieving political, military, economic and psychological goals aimed at preventing escalation or ending the military conflict in relation to the Republic of Belarus. Military units and units of the Special Operations Forces are entrusted with the following tasks: conducting counter-sabotage, reconnaissance and combat operations and carrying out special measures. Also, units of special operations forces are involved in the fight against terrorism, carrying out measures to strengthen the security regime state border and maintaining law and order together with the personnel of the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
— When creating special operations forces, was it studied? Foreign experience?
— Of course, but we should not forget that the Belarusian special operations forces were not created out of nowhere. We had a shock component - well-trained airborne brigades. We strengthened these mobile formations with a reconnaissance component - a special forces brigade. Both components were united under a single command - in general, they made the optimal decision for a country with a small territory and a compact mobile Armed Forces.
I must say that today our experience is being carefully studied by other countries.
— And when did you realize that you were on the right path?
— In 2004, while working out the tactics of action, we understood that mobile brigades were mobile, capable of making long marches in any conditions, could be airlifted and deliver serious blows. We took all this into account. A special forces group, capable of operating in any conditions, found the object, and soon a mobile unit arrived at the designated point. The commander of the special forces group, together with the commander of the mobile unit, clarified the decision and carried out the destruction of the object. Next year we were already confident that we were moving in the right direction. Our tactics were also tested during various large-scale exercises of the Belarusian Armed Forces.
- Are we not revealing all the secrets of special operations forces in this way?
“This is the tactics of any professional unit in the world. As for the secrets of mastery, believe me, professionals are very reluctant to share them. And we are no exception here. So we’ll leave the secrets of mastery outside of this interview.
— BTR-80 armored personnel carriers replaced the airborne combat vehicles in the mobile brigades. Also to match the modern look?
“We proceeded from the fact that our units must be very mobile: move at any time and on any roads. And the BTR-80 allows you to do this. They contribute to the successful completion of the tasks facing us. “Wheels” look preferable in our conditions. Special operations forces artillery is also on wheels. Today we are already considering the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, which has greater firepower, for rearmament. In particular, the 30-mm automatic cannon will replace the large-caliber 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun.
— Since we touched on the issues of equipping the MTR modern weapons and military equipment, tell us how seriously it has changed in Lately?
— Tests of the Fox armored vehicle have recently been completed. We decided what changes should be made to its design in order for the car to meet our requirements for it: what combat module to install, how to arrange the seats, loopholes... All this was taken into account in the technical specifications submitted to the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. First of all, the Foxes will be delivered to mobile battalions in vehicles. This year, the latest ORSIS-T5000M sniper rifles, capable of hitting targets at ranges of up to 1,500 meters, were adopted. They became a good addition to the modern ones that have proven themselves well among the troops. sniper rifles VSK-94, OSV-96, MTs-116M.
The troops received high-precision powerful ammunition with an expansive bullet (338 caliber LAPUA MAGNUM), which penetrates all existing means of armor protection (body armor, helmets of the highest protection classes).
Our military personnel are provided with the most modern surveillance and aiming equipment of domestic production: day-night sights DNS-1, night sights NV/S-18, night monocular NV/M-19, laser pointer LAD-21T, collimator sight PC-01BC.
Special operations forces are also supplied with very decent personal armor protection equipment. In particular, the “Skat” protective helmet, which provides protection against a bullet from a Makarov pistol at a distance of one meter, and the “Voron” body armor, which can protect against a bullet from an SVD at a distance of ten meters.
Work is underway to ensure and adopt other new technologies optical sights, ammunition, small arms, tactical and shooting glasses, RPG-32 Hashim grenade launchers.
Our units are provided with reliable communications. Based on the Bogatyr vehicle, a modern command and staff vehicle has been developed (a means of communication for the SOF commander and brigade commanders).
Modern models of weapons and military equipment enter the troops and are mastered during combat training. Significantly increased the mobility of payments anti-aircraft installations ZU-23-2 is a modernization of this weapon, which is located today along with ammunition on the basis of the Ural-43202 vehicle. In the next two months we plan to supply them to the 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade.
Uniforms and equipment of special operations forces personnel are being improved.
We recently received new ATVs that have been tested by the Armed Forces. In the future they will be adopted. I must say this is quite efficient technique when performing tasks in forest areas, in wetlands, on rough terrain... This was confirmed by the exercises that took place in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan as part of testing the collective rapid reaction forces of the CSTO.
— Military personnel of the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade are constant participants in such exercises. How important are they to us?
— First of all, it is gaining invaluable experience. We have a lot to learn from Russians, Kazakhs, and Tajiks. We always learn something new in these exercises. And, of course, we learn to interact.
Many other teachings are also carried out with great benefit. For example, the joint Belarusian-Chinese anti-terrorism exercise (training) “Swift Eagle”. Not long ago, another such exercise (the third in a row) ended on the basis of the 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade.
But the closest interaction has been established with Russian colleagues. The latest joint exercise was a battalion-tactical exercise held in the 38th brigade, in which a company of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division took part. Our military personnel also showed themselves worthy during the humanitarian search and rescue operation at the North Pole, where they had to carry out tasks in difficult climatic conditions. Those who distinguished themselves are presented with state awards. Both modern uniforms and equipment of special operations forces personnel withstood the test of the North Pole. Many of our new products were received with interest by Russians. For example, cargo containers with which our military personnel jumped with a parachute.
— Comrade Major General, what other successes do you remember in the anniversary year?
— In the first half of the year, the command of special operations forces, as well as units of the 38th and 103rd Guards separate mobile brigades, successfully passed the inspection of the Ministry of Defense. The MTR team distinguished itself at international competitions in best group special forces, held in Kazakhstan, where she took a prize. Our military personnel won the competition for the best special-purpose sniper pair of the Armed Forces, in which representatives from all law enforcement agencies of our country and teams from Russia and Kazakhstan participated.
The MTR team won the Armed Forces championship in army hand-to-hand combat. The next tests for the right to award the “Valor and Mastery” badge also showed the increased level of training of our military personnel.
The bilateral battalion battles were interesting. tactical exercises. A very useful event was the joint diving training camp held in Ryazan. During the meeting, much attention was paid to the study of new diving equipment that is being supplied to the Russian Armed Forces today.
This year, 11 of our military personnel mastered the most modern parachute systems"Crossbow". They were trained at the center of special Airborne Forces training Russia.
Of course, on May 9, a significant event was the participation of military personnel of the 5th separate special forces brigade in the parade held on Red Square in Moscow. They adequately represented the Belarusian Armed Forces there.
One more important event was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 334th separate special forces detachment, held on the basis of the 5th separate special forces brigade.
It's nice that the successes of special operations forces do not go unnoticed, including in high level. Only in this year Head of State for exemplary performance official duties Colonel Vladimir Bely and Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Smekhovich were awarded the Orders “For Service to the Motherland”, III degree. Last year, these high awards were awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Sukhovilo and Major Alexey Khuzyakhmetov.
- At all times, service in the “windswept troops” was prestigious. How popular is Special Operations Forces today? Is it in demand among young people?
“We have no shortage of people willing to serve in special operations forces.”
As for the training of officers for our branch of the military, it is carried out at the faculty military intelligence Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus, as well as at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Training is conducted in two specialties: “Use of mobile units” and “Use of special-purpose units.”
The demand for the profession of a special operations forces officer is evidenced by the annual competition for admission to special forces specialties. This year it amounted to more than two people per place, and for the specialty “Use of Special Purpose Units” - more than three people per place.
Serving in the special operations forces is truly prestigious. We are glad to see in our ranks those who have a craving for romance, a desire to see something new, learn a lot and strengthen their character.
CHRONICLEOn August 2, 1930, during an exercise near Voronezh, the drop of a group of armed paratroopers was demonstrated. The landing party consisted of twelve people, who were divided into two groups of six paratroopers. The paratroopers were supposed to drop weapons and ammunition from aircraft using special cargo parachutes.
After a successful landing, groups of paratroopers, armed with rifles, light machine guns and grenades, were ready to carry out combat missions.
PROSPECTS
The main directions of construction and development of special operations forces of the Armed Forces:
— development and testing of new ways of performing tasks;
— optimization of the organizational structure of formations and military units in accordance with the tasks being solved, as well as taking into account changes in the forms and methods of military confrontation;
— modernization of existing models of weapons, military and special equipment and equipping with new models of both domestic and foreign production;
— improving the quality of training of specialists for special operations forces;
— improvement of military camps and creation of living conditions for military personnel that meet modern requirements.
Interviewed by Alexander MAKAROV