In the 45th separate regiment (now deployed into a brigade) of the special purpose of the Airborne Forces in Kubinka, the 85th anniversary of the Airborne Forces was celebrated. As always, the paratroopers put on an interesting show. A solemn meeting with the laying of flowers to and rewarding those who distinguished themselves, a solemn march, music and songs of the Airborne Forces, demonstration performances of paratroopers with the obligatory breaking of bricks with their hands. The highlight of the holiday was an imitation of a battle to seize a militant base in enemy territory with the release of a hostage. The battle was attended by scout-climbers, airborne troops, armored personnel carriers, anti-tank systems and even a tank! Congratulations on the 85th anniversary of the Airborne Forces!
Photos are clickable, with geographic coordinates and referenced to a Yandex map, 08/02/2015.

1. Solemn formation of the unit

2. According to tradition, the celebration of the Airborne Forces Day begins with a solemn meeting and laying flowers to

3. Command

4. Passage by a solemn march, the banner group leads the passage

5.

6. Banner group

7. After the solemn march, while preparations are underway to simulate a battle to free the hostage from the militants' camp, war songs and the unofficial anthem of the Airborne Forces are played

8. Camp of militants, bandits have fun: someone trains in throwing knives and axes, while others dance lezginka to "Black Eyes"

9. Meanwhile, the scouts descend from the cliff in the rear of the militants (the wall of the barracks acts as the mountains)

10.

11. The militants are not asleep and their service is set - sentries are on guard. But our scouts are secretly approaching the sentries ...

12. ... and take them off

13. At this time, the sniper destroy the leader of the militants (wrestling with a pistol in his hand) and eliminate the danger for the hostage, whom the bandits hastily taken to the house

14. The capture group is parachuted from the Mi-8 helicopter (in the role of the Mi-8 - the Ural car)

15. Demonstration of combat techniques (a slight deviation from the imitation of the capture of the militants' base)

16. Each paratrooper is tested with an armored personnel carrier (a small deviation from the imitation of the capture of the militants' base)

17.And now the landing using an armored personnel carrier is fighting to seize the militants' base

18. Demonstration of the "Carousel" reception

19.

20.

21. Unfortunately, a paratrooper was wounded during the battle, he is being evacuated for medical assistance

22. The surviving militants hid in the building and the storming and cleansing begins.

23. Under the cover of an armored personnel carrier, medical assistance is provided to a wounded soldier

24. Hostage released and evacuation is in progress

25. The militants called for help and a tank arrived to support them! - there he is on the right. But the paratroopers using a requisitioned off-road vehicle (and they are now in the rear of enemy territory) and anti-tank systems destroy the militants' tank

26. BOOM !!! and the militants no longer have a tank

45th separate airborne special forces regiment

Special-purpose units are such separate units of troops that are designed to perform special tasks and operations. They can be both part of the fleet, ground and air forces, and part of the police and internal organs. Use special tactics and means to carry out operations.

One of the types of spetsnaz is the airborne spetsnaz. This is a special purpose unit that is part of the airborne troops. Special Forces of the Airborne Forces was formed in Russia in 1994. On the basis of two special-purpose battalions - the 901st Special Forces and 218th Special Forces, a single 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces was formed. By July 1994, it was fully staffed. Already in December, the 45th airborne special forces regiment was sent to the war in Chechnya to destroy the armed bandit formations.

Separate units of the 45th airborne special forces regiment took part in hostilities until February 1995, and from March to June of the same year, a free detachment of the regiment continued to operate in Chechnya. The 45th special forces regiment of the Airborne Forces is considered one of the most legendary in the military history of Russia - many of its soldiers and officers were awarded medals and orders, including the titles of Heroes of the Russian Federation.

Armament of special forces of the Airborne Forces

The special forces of the Airborne Forces are equipped with better equipment, equipment, weapons than the rest of the troops, and this requires a lot of funding. The Airborne Special Forces uses weapons that are rarely available to conventional troops. For example, the SVD rifle is often used, which is very powerful and reliable. There is a known case when a good shooter shot down a jet attack aircraft from an SVD rifle, hitting the pilot.

The so-called "Vintorez" is very often used - a silent sniper rifle. With its help, a well-trained sniper can hit a target at great distances. The Vintorez rifle is so powerful that it can penetrate a steel helmet at a distance of up to 400 meters. The first use of "Vintorez" falls on the First Chechen War. "Vintorez" is available only to special forces, ordinary troops do not have access to this weapon.

Many countries use the Steyr AUG universal rifle to arm special forces. This weapon is intended for combat in urban environments and for carrying out lightning-fast combat missions. The rifle magazine is made of a translucent material, which allows you to even visually control the amount of remaining cartridges in the magazine.

The Steyr rifle is automatic - it is also possible to install a grenade launcher, which makes it truly versatile and indispensable for performing tasks by special units. It was not for nothing that at the end of the 19th century, Austria-Hungary adopted the very first sniper rifle of this company, the Steyr Mannlicher, into service with the troops. This already at that time indicated that the weapon was reliable and effective. Since then, Steir's weapon rating has not diminished. Steyr rifles entered service with the special forces of the Airborne Forces quite recently, but they have already managed to earn the respect of the soldiers for their fighting qualities.

One of the types of weapons supplied to the soldiers of the special forces of the Airborne Forces is the AS "Val". This machine is a silent weapon, which is why it is used by a special forces unit in sabotage operations. AS "Val" has the ability to attach night and sniper sights to it, which makes it possible to identify targets at a distance of up to 300 meters. AS "Val" is usually transported in a special case, its assembly takes from 30 to 60 seconds, depending on how prepared the shooter is.

Many countries buy Russian export, so-called "hundredth" versions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. This list also includes the AK-103 assault rifle. This weapon is much more effective than the usual "Kalash", and therefore is used by the armies of many countries. Moreover, the AK-103 is also used by some special forces.

Another interesting version of the modernization of the Kalashnikov assault rifle is the AK-74M assault rifle. AK-74M has the ability to mount an optical and night sight, a butt that can be folded to the side. It is possible to use an attached grenade launcher, which is very important and convenient for special units. That is why the AK-74M is used by many special types of troops.

Also, from the modifications, the AKS-74 model stands out - a shortened Kalashnikov assault rifle. Moreover, the mobility and compactness of the machine does not make it worse in performance compared to versions with a long barrel. AKS-74 is complete in every sense, and is capable of hitting a target at a distance of more than 400 meters.

But of all the versions of the Kalashnikov weapon, the most powerful, of course, remains the machine gun. Moreover, there are so many variations of the Kalashnikov Machine Gun that it is used from transport weapons to infantrymen. The Kalashnikov machine gun was developed back in the 60s of the last century, but its popularity and the popularity of modified versions does not fade away to this day. Many countries use the Kalashnikov machine gun, including for arming special forces.

If the conventional troops are armed with the well-known Kalashnikov assault rifle, then the special forces use the PKM - a modernized Kalashnikov machine gun. The power of the PKM is much higher than a conventional assault rifle, and therefore the machine gun is used in special forces for assault operations.

Another popular weapon among all the weapons of the special forces of the Airborne Forces is the "Pecheneg" machine gun. The Pecheneg machine gun is developed on the basis of the PKM and is suitable both for destroying enemy manpower and for destroying firing and transport positions, air targets. It is widely used in many countries, Russia is actively exporting "Pecheneg" machine gun.

In addition to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, a very outwardly similar weapon, the AN-94 Abakan, is widely used. This machine is created according to the classical scheme, with a clip in front, like the Kalash. AN-94 Abakan is distinguished by special accuracy and accuracy of shots. For example, from a distance of one hundred meters, a good shooter can hit the same point on the target with two shots. This makes the AN-94 Abakan suitable for military special operations, where the lives of many people depend on the accuracy of the shot.

In addition to all rifles, machine guns and machine guns used by special forces and airborne forces, RPG-26 grenades are widely used. These grenades were developed back in the 80s of the last century and since that time have been in constant service with the army. This once again confirms the effectiveness of RPG-26 grenades both against manpower and against equipment and various fortifications and positions. RPG-26 grenades generally play an important role in the conduct of any military action, and therefore are used so widely in any wars.

Features of special forces

The special forces of the Airborne Forces have a special status due to their specific activities. Each special forces task requires special weapons, equipment, and equipment. Consequently, funding for special forces is significantly greater than funding for the rest of the troops. The preparatory level of the soldier has a reinforced training base and special training centers. The most powerful centers train special forces for the Airborne Forces.

Usually, in the special forces of the Airborne Forces they serve under a contract. The contract is due to the high cost of training and preparatory tests. The contract in the Airborne Forces is usually concluded for at least three years. The special forces of the Airborne Forces have a very high level of moral, physical, ideological and psychological training, which is due to the need of future special forces soldiers to work in special conditions.

Airborne special forces troops require special weapons and equipment, as mentioned earlier. This is due to the specific working conditions of the units. Therefore, the equipment and weapons of the troops are of a very narrow profile. Reconnaissance companies, battalions and other special-purpose formations perform tasks autonomously and in extreme conditions. This type of unit is also engaged in reconnaissance. Usually, special forces are thrown into the rear of the enemy, where the most important strategic points and centers are located.

Special Forces of the Airborne Forces (Russian airborne assault forces) cover very long distances on foot and wears all equipment and equipment, which requires special training under the contract in the Airborne Forces. In our military store, a wide range of paratroopers' symbols are presented, which can be purchased at the most optimal prices. Photo of a soldier of the 45th OPSpN:

A brief history of the special forces of the Airborne Forces

There was no official special forces of the USSR Airborne Forces. Similar units in Russia originate from the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment in 1994. After the withdrawal of these troops from Chechnya in 1995, a monument was unveiled in Sokolniki in honor of those killed during military operations. In May of the same year, the 45th special forces regiment of the Airborne Forces was awarded a diploma of the President of the Russian Federation, and the composition of the regiment took part in the parade on Poklonnaya Gora in honor of the victory over the Nazis 50 years ago.

From winter to spring of 1997, a detachment of the 45th airborne special forces regiment took part in peacekeeping operations in Gudauta, the zone of separation of forces of Abkhazia and Georgia. In the summer of the same year, the 45th Guards. The OPSpN was presented with the Battle Banner and a Certificate of the Order of Kutuzov, 3rd degree. From the fall of 1999 to the spring of 2006, a detachment of the regiment took part in operations against terrorists in the North Caucasus. In the summer of 2001, a memorial was opened in Kubinka in honor of the fallen soldiers of the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces. Every year, days of memory of the fallen soldiers take place inside the regiment. The glory of the Airborne Forces comes precisely from such heroes in whose honor the monument was erected.

In February 2008, it was renamed the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces of the Order of Alexander Nevsky. In the summer of the same year, individual units took part in operations to persuade Georgia to peace. Officer Anatoly Lebed was awarded the Order of St. George, IV degree. In the spring of 2010, a group of soldiers of the regiment performed tasks for the safety of Russian citizens on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. In 2012, the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment participated in joint exercises with the Green Berets in America at Fort Carson.

Creativity associated with the special forces of the Airborne Forces

Many films have been filmed and many songs have been written about the heroic deeds and operations of the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces. Many materials are also presented in the Voenpro news feed. Read about it in our many articles. Watch movies and listen to music - Voenpro has it all. The special forces of the Airborne Forces in Chechnya went through a lot, and greatly influenced the course of the war. Therefore, war veterans deserve eternal memory and respect. Many documentaries tell about how the soldiers were in Chechnya. They talk about what horrors they have seen and what they went through.

A huge number of songs are still being composed about the veterans of the Chechen war and about those who died in it. Fighting comrades sing songs in honor and memory of their deceased friends, in honor of those with whom they were in conditions of life and death. Also on the Internet there are many amateur filming, both military action and other special operations. The special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces are very popular among young people and many want to serve in it too.

The media made a certain cult of the special forces of the Airborne Forces, which is why that one is so popular today. Young people are simply “blown away” by the thought that they can freely use weapons and kill people. Computer games and television are filled with murder and violence, and people turn into beasts ready to tear to pieces the enemy.

So, many films related to the actions of the special forces of the Airborne Forces in Chechnya can be found here. A video of the special forces of the Airborne Forces can be found, for example, such a landing video:

An interesting video was shot about the special forces of the Airborne Forces "Leshy" - Vyacheslav Korneev. This clip can be viewed at the following link:

45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment - Soldiers of the Future

Oddly enough, in Chechnya, the special forces are well remembered and know about him. Only the information that the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces would soon approach, forced the militants to leave their positions and leave their place of stay. When the first Chechen war took place, the leadership of the Chechen militants promised a huge bonus to anyone who could bring at least one soldier of the 45th regiment into captivity. But no one received such a prize, because during those hostilities not a single special forces soldier of the Russian Airborne Forces got to the Chechens, either dead or alive.

The 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces is, one might say, the youngest part of the Russian army. The regiment was created from two battalions in order to be ready to wage the "cold war". The units were supposed to conduct active reconnaissance, sabotage operations, mainly in the rear of the enemy. They also had to prepare a place for the landing of the landing troops. Considering that the Airborne Special Forces was created after the Cold War, it is still capable of solving similar tasks and preventing such situations.

Ever since the time when Soviet troops entered Afghanistan, the Russian Armed Forces have been constantly involved in resolving various conflicts. Therefore, when the 45th airborne special forces regiment was formed, the experience was already enough to make the soldiers universal and truly prepared for war. In addition, many foreign developments and technologies were introduced, which influenced the quality of the created special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces only in a positive way. Therefore, the main goal and purpose of the special forces soldiers of the Russian Airborne Forces is to resolve any military conflicts and problems of a local nature.

Consequently, the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces is a unique combat unit of Russia, which has all the necessary weapons, equipment, and devices to solve its tasks. In addition, directly, battalions in the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment, it also has a detachment of aircraft that do not need pilots, a special detachment for solving super important tasks, and a detachment for performing psychological operations.

The main task of the psychological detachment of the 45th special forces regiment of the Airborne Forces is to demoralize and disorient the enemy's troops - that is, to destroy his faith in victory, in the meaning of resistance. Moreover, the detachment can set up "for" the peaceful population of a neutral character, which has not yet decided which side to defend. And this is especially important in our information age. Therefore, the psychological detachment of the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces, among other things, also has a compact television station, which makes it possible to broadcast programs within a radius of ten kilometers. That is, the influence on the civilian population is thus increasing.

The capabilities of the Russian Airborne Special Forces are enormous. The core of the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment are special units. Naturally, these subdivisions did not arise without reason - the accumulated experience was already under the feet of the battalions brought together into one regiment. Battalion fighters fought during the Transnistrian conflict, and already regimental fighters took part in operations during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. Basically, during the Georgian-Abkhaz war, the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces ensured the safety of civilians and refugees.

But not only in the war fighters showed themselves. For several years, during the international competitions of special units that take place in Bulgaria, the 45th Airborne Special Forces regiment took first place, bypassing the "green berets" and the British special forces.

But the goal for achieving the status of a universal soldier of the special forces of the Airborne Forces is not so close. If earlier ordinary conscripts entered the school, now there are few of them. Therefore, there is no one to choose a soldier from. Previously, almost all applicants had sports categories in several categories, but now there are only a few such recruits.

Basically, they enter the service under a contract in the Airborne Forces, and from these recruits, practically no one sensible can be chosen. Units only have a higher or specialized education, while the majority have an ordinary completed secondary education. And that is joy - if finished. But even such applicants are made into a real Russian special forces. First of all, the applicant passes many tests in psychology and physical fitness to determine his readiness and ability to serve in these troops.

After determining the personality traits, they say which military specialty you are heading for. For example, people of a very calm and balanced character, like no other, are suitable for work as a sniper or a sapper of the special forces of the Airborne Forces. The rest of the recruits, who were not assigned anywhere, are transferred to support units, or to other military units.

After this type of selection, there is a quarantine, an oath, then, of course, they move on to the teachings. To say that serving in the special forces of the Airborne Forces, for example, in military unit 33842, is very difficult - it's like keeping silent. Constant training is replaced by marches and night shooting, facade mountaineering is replaced by tactical exercises or training of sappers. And so constantly in a circle.

Naturally, not all potential fighters of the Russian Airborne Forces special forces can withstand such loads and rates. Therefore, after about six months, of those newcomers who entered, only forty percent of the strength remains. Moreover, the number is decreasing for various reasons. Someone gains health problems from such loads, someone cannot stand it physically, someone is kicked out by commanders due to poor progress. Those places that remained from the departed special forces of the Airborne Forces are filled with the best paratroopers. As a result, after already the first year of exercises, no one turns out to be real fighters of the airborne elite, who are fluent in weapons and various devices.

But it should be noted that, despite the complexity of the exercises and the workload, there are no fewer people wishing to serve in the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces. All this because the service is very interesting and useful for the guys. There is no hazing here, and service in the 45th OPSpN is an excellent start for work and service in other structures of the internal organs of the state. After the end of the service, you will be gladly taken to any type of security, security and protection, secret units. The 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces is excellent military and career prospects for a young man who can endure difficult service and workloads.

The result of your studies can be, at your request, participation in hostilities. Although the experience accumulated by previous generations is little used according to custom in our country, the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment solves many issues on its own. The soldiers have training manuals, which are printed by some officers of the regiment, which leads to the correspondence of the written with reality. In our time, when the main actions in Chechnya have ended, the role of the airborne special forces, which can be very useful to carry out reconnaissance, search and all sorts of raid missions, is significantly increasing. Therefore, the complete withdrawal of the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces from Chechnya is not yet planned in the near future.

At this time, the special forces of the Airborne Forces in Chechnya are acting as a free detachment near the village of Khatuni. The importance of this place is very great for the state, and therefore the special purpose units have enormous tasks and responsibilities on their shoulders. The consolidated detachment also includes units of the FSB, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and others. All have their own tasks within the framework of a common goal. The fire training of fighters in this operation is especially important, so the exercises train fighters as needed. The loads are huge, because of this, the fighters lose five, or even eight kilograms in a couple of months, even taking into account the fact that the food here is enhanced.

Moreover, the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB sometimes have to carry out tasks that are not within their competence. Therefore, they work together with the special forces of the Airborne Forces in Chechnya, which specializes in precisely this type of combat. All these parts of the squad are friends with each other and actively help and support each other in difficult situations in order to achieve a common goal. Nobody pays attention to subordination by departments in this situation.

Some part of the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment is stationed in Sokolniki. There they are in the barracks of the Preobrazhensky regiment. And this unit is very actively fighting to be a part of the Preobrazhensky regiment for all official papers. There are several reasons for this.

Historically, the Preobrazhensky regiment is the first regular armament regiment in Russia. And the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces is, one might say, the first regiment of the new Russian army, the regiment of the future. And the attitude towards the fighters is completely new, compared to the old views. Now every soldier of the special forces of the Airborne Forces is a value in which a lot of finance and other resources have been invested. Previously, soldiers were cannon fodder without special specific training, which no one appreciated or considered in a war.

Now the fighters are highly professional and qualified. Now the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces is a place where experienced and skilled personnel of special forces are trained. Many of those who have completed this school serve in the internal organs, "Alpha", "Omega" and many other promising places. But it is worth noting that after many years of service in the regiment, most officers do not want to be transferred to other places for service, which is more promising. This is because over the years the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces has become for them a truly family and home, which they cannot and do not want to leave.

In the regiment itself, special psychological and moral principles have developed that make its officers friendly and fraternal. This can be traced to the fact that those officers who have gone into the reserve and have settled well, regularly sponsor those who are fighting in Chechnya. It is interesting to note that veterans of the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces help not only with material means.

It was such that when it was necessary in 1999 to replace the fighters in the Caucasus, there was no suitable replacement. Then the reserve officers decided to come to the aid of the regiment. They abandoned their lucrative official and career positions, and formed their own detachment of veterans, which went to the Caucasus. Their very first business was to capture an important height and ensure there a four-hour repelling enemy attacks. At this time, the regiment was able to prepare new fighters of the Russian Airborne Forces special forces to send them to the Caucasus.

For all the years of the existence of the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment, its officers do not stop fighting. All conflicts that happened in Chechnya, Bosnia, Dagestan, Kosovo were resolved with the help of the Russian Airborne Special Forces. During this period, there were awards by the minister, and awards to five soldiers of the regiment with Heroes of Russia. And, oddly enough, various accusations were also present in the history of the regiment. But, be that as it may, the special forces of the Airborne Forces are still the real elite of the Russian army.

His warriors have shown themselves excellently during the times of all conflicts and wars. A bunch of enemy weapons depots, drug depots were found, many civilian lives were saved, many troubles were averted. As a result, the officers deserved their proud existence with a strong and hardy organism, and the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment is, indeed, the regiment of the future.

News related to the special forces of the Airborne Forces

There is news that the special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces have recently adopted a foreign rifle Steyr Mannlicher. Their total number, which the soldiers received, was more than thirty units. This news was expressed by the representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense for the airborne forces, Alexander Kucherenko. He says that these are the first foreign-born Mannlicher rifles to enter the regiment. In general, the purchase of Austrian weapons began in 2010.

Moreover, they say that the supply of Austrian sniper rifles will not end there, and the regiment will be provided with them regularly. The soldiers have already completed all the necessary training courses on the use of this weapon in the centers of the Ministry of Defense and are ready to use it. What model of the Mannlicher rifle was adopted for service is not specified. Prior to this, the special forces of the Airborne Forces used an SVD sniper rifle.

They also say that the replenishment also affected technology. The number of aircraft that do not require a pilot has been significantly replenished. Again, it is not said which devices were received. The special forces of the Airborne Forces also received about two dozen reconnaissance location stations, more than three dozen other reconnaissance devices and several ground observation stations.

More about the new

Recently it was reported that a special forces detachment of the Airborne Forces destroyed a monument to the fallen soldiers of the SS detachment in Lithuania. The state is trying by all possible methods to prove that no such order was officially submitted from the headquarters. What is the matter, they are still trying to figure it out.

According to the first information, it turns out that the commander of the airborne special forces detachment took all the blame. It seems that he, having got drunk, gave the order to his detachment, which at that moment was on exercises in the Pskov region, to cross the border with Lithuania and destroy the SS monument there. The state confirms this version, motivating it by the fact that there was no communication with the headquarters during the exercises, and therefore he could not give such an order for objective reasons. The commander of the special forces of the Airborne Forces himself is under protection, and cannot comment on this.

The fact is that no one would have known, probably, that the monument was destroyed by the special forces of the Airborne Forces, but the surveillance cameras filmed the crime. But the detachment worked so quietly that not a single civilian and not a single policeman saw the action itself. In addition, microphones were installed on the cameras.

And the Lithuanian government heard everything that the Russian special forces of the Airborne Forces said about those who allowed to erect a monument to the SS. In general, at first the Lithuanian government was at a loss, because not every day a special forces detachment of the Russian Airborne Forces destroys a monument in the center of the Lithuanian city. It couldn't even believe it if it wasn't for the video filming. At first, the Russian government did not give any comments, but was forced to do so under the influence of the photo evidence provided to it. Now all the details of the circumstances are being clarified.

One day from the teachings

A detachment of special forces of the Airborne Forces very secretly and quietly moved through the dense forest. On all sides of the detachment, the muzzle of a weapon stuck out, ready to fire at any moment. The soldiers walked, covering each other, constantly observing and analyzing the situation around. It was necessary to constantly listen and sniff everything around.

It was already the third day of training, and the scouts of the 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment were actively preparing for the previous competition. The main composition of the detachment is soldiers who are under contract in the Airborne Forces and young conscripts. The instructor said that in order to fully prepare a full-fledged special forces soldier of the Airborne Forces, it takes at least three years. It turns out that there was no sense from the conscripts, and they do not support the group with anything. Although, the commander of the detachment said that the conscripts showed themselves very well in recent days and they are not a burden.

In addition to the squad commanders, the group also had snipers, demolition men and signalmen. Of course, everyone has their own kind of activity, task and specialization, but in the case of a missing link, each of the fighters is able to replace the other in a full-fledged way. The special forces of the Russian Airborne Forces are, indeed, universal soldiers capable of performing a variety of tasks.

The detachment's armament was very diverse. Some of the fighters had SVD sniper rifles in their hands, others got Vintorezs with their own weapons. Some of the fighters were also armed with Kalashnikov machine guns. Of course, all fighters are trained in an excellent way to wield melee weapons, so everyone must have a blade. In addition, all have pistols, and in some cases, with a silencer.

On this day of the exercise, the tasks were very diverse and diverse. At first, the airborne special forces soldiers had to carefully move through the forest, camouflaging themselves well and preparing for a possible attack. After that, it was supposed to simulate the wound of one of the soldiers and provide him with first aid. After that, it was necessary to seize the car, taking the enemy prisoner from it, and at the end it was required to overcome the water barrier.

The members of the detachment had the most varied clothing and equipment, but mostly of high quality. In general, the soldiers of the special forces of the Airborne Forces wore what was not a pity and what was cheaper and better. This was primarily due to the fact that the soldiers dressed entirely at their own expense. But, since the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces are universal soldiers, they are accustomed to working in the most diverse and specific conditions.

Special attention was paid to shoes. It was, oddly enough, non-standard, but, apparently, comfortable, high quality and expensive. It also aroused interest in what the soldiers of the special forces of the Airborne Forces use - socks or footcloths. It turned out that there is no special law, you can wear both the first and the other. The only difference is that it is more convenient for someone to use. Shoes are very important for the special forces of the Airborne Forces, because they have to carry the weight on themselves, sometimes reaching forty to fifty kilograms, but in this case they told me that the weight was about twenty or thirty kilograms.

After the detachment left the forest, the fighters crossed the road and successfully played a clash with an unexpected enemy, as a result of which one of the Russian airborne special forces was seriously wounded. The wound was in the lower limb, and another bullet hit the eye. Everything was complicated by the fact that there was active bleeding that needed to be stopped.

The injured soldier of the special forces of the Airborne Forces was pulled over his leg with a tourniquet, and his head was tied up with a bandage. After that, it was required to inject the drug into a vein. The injection was done for real, only ordinary harmless glucose was injected instead of heart stimulants.

Before capturing the enemy, the Airborne Special Forces detachment split along different sides of the road. At the time when the truck drove up to the required distance, packets of paint flew into the windshield.

In the present conditions, bullets would fly, but since there was an exercise, packets of paint flew. After that, the detachment carried out a successful capture of the prisoner. It took about thirty seconds. The 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces, as always, worked quickly and professionally. What aroused interest was what is done with the prisoner, because the same person can be silent, as we often see in films. But I was told that there are practically no such situations in history when a prisoner is silent.

If the prisoner refuses to speak, such psychological and physical methods are applied to him by the special forces of the Airborne Forces that his will breaks down and he gives out everything that is needed. After interrogation, the fate of the captured person can be decided in two ways. First, he will be left alive if he is still needed by the command of the Russian Airborne Forces special forces. Then his will is limited, but he remains alive. If the captive is no longer needed, he can be destroyed.

When the time came for the execution of the last assignment, that is, for the crossing of the river, the soldiers were noticeably delighted. The special forces of the Airborne Forces took off everything except their hats and T-shirts. In combat conditions, black fins are used for swimming, but in exercises they are yellow, so that in case of loss they can be found. After the complete collection of things and their packing in special waterproof bags, the special forces of the Airborne Forces tied weapons to them. Next, a rope from plastic bottles is tied.

Two swimmers swim across to the other side, and the rest are preparing to sail and defend themselves. When two Russian Airborne Special Forces fighters have got over, the next two are sailing, using a cable made from bottles to facilitate movement. And so the swimming continues. After all the soldiers of the detachment moved to the other side, everyone was very tired and hungry. The commander said that the detachment has four to five hours to rest, and after that it can go further. If, of course, it is required.

Among the units of the domestic special forces of the Airborne Forces, the 45th separate guards order of Kutuzov, the order of Alexander Nevsky, the special-purpose regiment, or military unit No. 28337, occupies a special place. Firstly, some of them belong to the elite spetsnaz troops, almost completely transferred to a contract basis. Secondly, there is enormous competition among the recruits wishing to join the ranks of military unit 28337. And, thirdly, the 45th Special Purpose Regiment is the youngest of the Russian Airborne Forces.

History of military unit 28337

The military unit, formed on the basis of two separate battalions in February 1994, is currently deployed in the city of Kubinka, Moscow Region (formerly akademgorodok). In 2007, the unit was reorganized into the Linear 218th Special Forces Battalion, but in 2008 it was again given back the name of the 45th Separate Guards Regiment.
Despite the fact that military unit 28337 was formed 10 years ago, its soldiers and officers took part in the hostilities in Chechnya and South Ossetia (August 2008).

Youth competitions are regularly held on the basis of the military unit. The special forces group, formed on the basis of the regiment, has also been participating in international competitions between special forces since 1995. The military unit regularly conducts demonstration performances in parachute jumping and hand-to-hand combat at events in Moscow and the region.

Awards
1996 - 3rd place in the overall competition of the Partnership for Peace program (Bulgaria);

1997 - Champion of the Partnership for Peace competition (Bulgaria);
2005 - Challenging Battle Banner, the title of "Guards", the Order of Alexander Nevsky (from the disbanded 119th Guards Airborne Regiment);
February 2011 - Order of Kutuzov "For the successful completion of combat missions of the command and the courage and heroism shown by the regiment personnel."

Reviews of military unit 28337

Currently, there are practically no conscripts in military unit 28337, it is being transferred to a contract basis. The contract is concluded for a period of three years, the criteria for the selection of fighters are moral, physical and psychological preparation, as well as the ability to react in difficult situations and the desire to serve in special conditions.

In order to conclude a contract for military service in the 45th Guards Regiment, the candidate is required:

Be 18 to 40 years old and have Russian citizenship;
Have a certificate of A-1 form for health reasons;
Submit a report or statement of desire to serve in the special forces of the Airborne Forces with an indication of the unit;
Come to the unit itself and pass an interview with the regiment commander and the head of the personnel department;
Pass tests on physical fitness (standards for pull-ups, cross-country, etc.);
Pass psychological tests for the compatibility of service in special units of the Airborne Forces.

Such requirements do not stop almost anyone - military unit 28337, judging by the reviews, attracts even girls. True, few people want to go to "hot spots" and pass physical training standards, but there are plenty of those who want to work in a medical center, a psychologist or a radio operator in the unit.
Those rare representatives of the fair sex who serve in the ranks of the 45th Separate Guards Regiment undergo the same training as men and live in similar conditions. However, many contract soldiers with families are provided with housing in the garrison.

The paratroopers do not have a part of the barracks, its function is performed by a soldier's hostel. It consists of several blocks (two adjacent rooms for 4-6 people each). There are showers, toilets, a gym, a recreation room and classes for military training in the soldier's hostel.
Eyewitnesses say that military unit 28337 currently has two battalions. One of them is engaged in the provision of the regiment, and the second is in the training of soldiers.
Those who served in the military unit also note that telephone conversations with relatives in the evening are allowed here.
During the training period, the company commander has mobile phones.
Shoes are given out along with the uniform, but you can purchase it yourself. Jump boots of the model of the armies of foreign countries are allowed.

As for the occupations, the commandos of the military unit 28337 master not only practical skills, but also the theoretical course of military affairs. However, more attention is paid to the physical training of soldiers, for example, long-distance marches, when soldiers wear equipment and equipment.
The specific working conditions of the unit require knowledge of certain military equipment and weapons. Therefore, both domestic models of assault rifles and the collection of captured weapons from the Armored Museum in Kubinka are carefully studied by soldiers. The military unit also trains scouts, so exercises are regularly conducted in the field.

On the third day, I managed to get “with a watering can” and a notebook ”into the 45th separate guards order of Alexander Nevsky, a special-purpose reconnaissance regiment. The group of civilian Arkharov volunteers was accompanied by the head of the press service of the Airborne Forces, Colonel Alexander Anatolyevich Cherednik. Exceptionally intelligent head of the press service. I suppose, thanks to his efforts, the check-in to the paratroopers turned out to be so intense.

To begin with, all the arrivals were instructed, then flowers were given to us in order to put them on the stones of the monument to the fallen soldiers of the regiment. The regiment, as they say, is a "fighting" regiment, but in a war there is no loss of life.

The youngest part of the Russian Airborne Forces is the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment, the formation of which began in February 1994. The regiment was formed on the basis of two separate battalions, each of which, before being included in the regiment, had its own history of formation and development. By order of the Commander of the Airborne Forces, in the order of historical continuity, the day of the formation of the 45th regiment is considered to be the day of July 25, 1992.

On December 2, 1994, the regiment's personnel left for the North Caucasus to participate in the elimination of illegal armed formations on the territory of the Chechen Republic. From December 12, 1994 to January 25, 1995, reconnaissance groups and special purpose detachments (assault detachments) from the regiment, in cooperation with airborne units, took part in hostilities to capture the most important enemy targets, including in Grozny.

On February 12, 1995, the regiment's units and subunits returned to their permanent deployment points. On March 15, 1995, the combined detachment of the regiment again arrived in Chechnya, continuing to carry out combat missions until June 13, 1995. During this period, as a result of competent military operations, there were no losses in the regiment.

By the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 21, 1995, the commander of a special-purpose reconnaissance group, Senior Lieutenant V.K. Ermakov, was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously) for courage and heroism displayed during the performance of a special command task to disarm illegal armed formations. On July 30, 1995, on the territory of the unit, in a solemn atmosphere, a monument was opened in honor of the dead scouts.

On May 9, 1995, the regiment was awarded a diploma of the President of the Russian Federation for services to the Russian Federation. The regiment took part in the parade dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany.

From February to May 1997, the combined detachment of the regiment took part in a peacekeeping mission in the zone of separation of the Georgian and Abkhaz armed forces in the city of Gudauta.

On July 26, 1997, following the glorious traditions of the Armed Forces, the regiment was awarded the Battle Banner and Certificate of the 5th Guards Airborne Rifle Mukachevo Order of Kutuzov 3rd Class Regiment, disbanded on June 27, 1945, and kept in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation ...

Since September 12, 1999, the combined reconnaissance detachment of the regiment took part in the anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.



From the monument we went to the obstacle course. The streak, not to say that it is very huge, but large enough to be guaranteed to get tired. It imitates a section of a mountainous and wooded area and is overcome at a fast pace. So that the fighters on the strip did not get bored, other fighters ensured timely detonation of imitating charges and fired at those storming the strip with blank cartridges from a machine gun. The paratroopers moved in twos, after overcoming each element of the obstacle course they stopped, looked around and covered a comrade, firing blanks. We moved deftly.

Not far from the obstacle course, other fighters practiced packing their parachutes. The crew of the First Channel worked next to them. Wet with heat and diligence, the correspondent listened attentively to the commands and explanations of his personal mentor and immediately followed the instructions. If the reports are now being prepared in this way, and they also end with a jump with a self-laid dome, I take off my hat. Professional work. Such a thing will certainly not tell about the "overlap of rafters".

From the obstacle course we went to the shooting range and looked at all sorts of small arms that are available in the regiment throughout the state. I can't tell you much about the weapon - I fell into unconsciousness, became agitated and lost touch with reality. He repeatedly offered to change at least something of the available samples for his photographic equipment, he even agreed to “his cartridges”. But it didn’t grow together. But he grabbed everything and considered.

Kalashnikov assault rifle with PBS-1 and an underbarrel grenade launcher, modifications of the SVD sniper rifle, pistol SR-1 (SPS), VSS "Vintorez", AS "Val", PSS "Vul", knife NRS-2, pistol SMP, submachine gun SR-2M "Veresk", PYa pistol, the legendary APB with a silencer and more. All this is necessary not only to be able to use, but to use successfully. Separately, it was told about the presence of a collection of captured weapons, for example, Georgian. It is also closely studied so that the fighters, if necessary, could beat the enemy with his own weapon.

We arrived at the territory of the airborne complex (VDK). This is a decent size playground with all the necessary simulators for a complete parachute jump training. In our presence, two groups of fighters demonstrated several exercises to separate from the aircraft and to land safely. All exercises were performed as expected: with two parachutes (main and reserve), with weapons and with all the standard ammunition.

The soldier is trained in all the necessary actions on the models of real aircraft, from which the paratroopers make jumps. There is a full-fledged parachute tower, a simulator for performing a training jump from a helicopter has been built. You equip yourself properly, climb the ladder to the tower, enter the helicopter's troop compartment, fix yourself on the rail and jump down and forward, pushing your feet vigorously.

With a decent speed, with a roar and a metallic clang, you rush forward along the guide rail. To heighten the naturalism, the rail is skillfully curved in several places, so that every trainee is pulled and thrown up as in a real jump. At the end of the training path, a group of colleagues with a safety rope is waiting for the paratrooper. Having grouped up, the paratrooper flies in with his feet into a specially prepared area with sawdust, and the other two belay the "landed" with a special rope, preventing the excess from flying forward.

Looks like an attraction in the Park of Culture. But during a training jump, the paratrooper does not forget to perform a number of actions, brought to complete automatism. As a matter of fact, the very fact of a successful landing, for example, for me is the end of a risky experiment, joy and a desire to drink immediately. And for a fighter - just the beginning. It was me, after my first jump, went light to the bar, and for him, after landing, a march and / or fight usually follow.

The paratroopers do not live in the barracks, but in the soldiers' hostel. Each compartment, consisting of two adjacent rooms, accommodates 4-6 people. Bathroom and toilet. In the corridor, in addition to the soldiers' quarters, there is also a gym, a recreation room, and classrooms. Everything inside is clean, cool. At the entrance there are tanks with drinking water and cups for those who want to quench their thirst. The day-carer is attentively staring at all the incoming and outgoing. In general, good, comfortable and clean housing. I especially remember the wall newspaper, it is documented there below. Laughed.

Not without a dining room, of course. No miracles were noticed in the dining room - just a solid man's grub. No frills, arugula and vyzigi, God forgive me, were not served, but you can see right away: the food is hearty and fresh. Without unnecessary frills, I ate everything that was offered. I didn't want any additives, because it was very hot. The thermometer was torn to the +40 mark.

Soldiers are marching towards the building of the canteen and singing a song. The song was the same for everyone, with the intolerant words "we are Russians, Russians are coming!" Some commanders informed their fighters that they could not hear the units. In response, the unit turned up the volume and brutally typed a step. The fighters of the fresh draft were very well noticeable in the general mass. On the shaven heads of the young guardsmen berets are hoisted, but some are not like that. Well-worn, hardened warriors, with honor wear berets of the "drop" cut, which certainly look much more brave than the "default" headdresses.

But the soldier's ingenuity, of course, figured out how best to remake the statutory "airfields" into what he needed: a soldier stocks up with a small beret, strips the lining out of it. If you take a seam (i.e. with a seam), the fabric is unstitched along the seam, all excess is cut off and sewn again. The sewn beret is moistened with water and dried on a suitable diameter jar or directly on the head.

The procedure must be repeated until complete readiness. As soon as the beret is ready, it is necessary to clarify the haircut. The "droplet" on the statutory shaven head looks just right! A soldier passing by in such a "drop" additionally explained that if you don't want to bother with making a beret yourself, you can just buy a ready-made one. And he left smiling.

I drew attention to some discrepancy in the shoes. One of the paratroopers explained that you can use the shoes that give out as shoes, or you can buy whatever you like for your money. This, of course, is not about lacquered boots or cowboy "Cossacks", but about jumping boots for everyday wear. I saw several people in solid American and German bots. And at the shooting range I noticed the heels. The fighters with the weapons lay down in position, so that the soles were clearly visible. There are many boots with a fairly worn out protector, so they run and jump constantly.

A group of fighters with an officer demonstrated to the assembled the main set of weapons and equipment of a reconnaissance fighter. Small arms, ammunition, a knife, hand grenades and grenades for a grenade launcher, mines, a disposable anti-tank grenade launcher, ropes, wires, scotch tape, dressing bags, foam, a hat with a sweater, an infantry shovel, explosives in checkers, a minimum of medicines, various detonators and other necessary for the autonomous implementation of reconnaissance in war conditions.

For ease of understanding: once it happened to carry 2,000 rounds. Only cartridges, no weapons or other equipment. I managed to walk about four kilometers. It was very hard. And the soldier has 450+ rounds for the machine gun, the machine gun itself and all of the above. And you must constantly look around, at your feet, be ready to open fire and cover your comrades. And on you - 40+ kilograms of equipment and weapons.

It was especially interesting to learn about the mines that scouts can use to organize ambushes or, for example, if necessary, to evade pursuit. Simply by destroying this very persecution. They showed a directional mine MON-50 and a jumping fragmentation mine of circular destruction OZM-72. I met with German counterparts OZM-72 more than once, but MON-50 turned it over in my hands for the first time. They said - a very effective weapon in skillful hands, an analogue of the American M18A1 Claymore.

In short: inside the plastic housing of the mine, filled with synthetic resin, metal balls and rollers. 500 pieces approx. And plastic explosives. When a mine is triggered, a specially curved body of the product makes metal striking elements fly in a sector 54 degrees wide and about 5 meters high. At a distance of 50 meters, the lethal effect of the striking elements is reliable. A terrible thing, it mows everything in the working sector. And if you combine it with others of the same kind, mask and supplement the effect with small arms - there is no salvation at all. Excellent remedy for organizing an ambush, including for an ambush without direct contact with the enemy.

Jumping Mine is a round steel can. At the moment of triggering, it throws up, above itself, an internal "glass" with the same balls-rollers, only there are already about 2,500 of them. The glass is tied to the tension cable. The mine went off, the glass flew out to a height of about a meter, the cable twitched, the detonator went off, metal balls flew in all directions and wounded and killed everyone, even the lying soldiers.

This mine is perhaps the most powerful of the circular fragmentation mines. Even the OZM-160 mines, which are much larger in size and weight, do not provide such an even distribution of fragments over the affected area, as the OZM-72 mine distributes its ready-made lethal elements.

The experience of using mines clearly indicates that in the zone of continuous damage (radius of the zone is 30 meters) there will not be a single object the size of a person who does not receive at least one video. even if he is lying flat on the ground. The explosion of this mine due to its squealing sound of flying rollers cannot be confused with any other. The soldiers nicknamed her "The Wicked" or "The Witch."



Out of the funny: during his stay at the VDK, Colonel Cherednik told how exactly they use old car tires when training paratroopers. It is necessary to accurately jump over them this way and that - and immediately demonstrated personally exactly how to jump. A whole colonel jumped, remember. In uniform, with shoulder straps. The faces of the young soldiers, resting on the sidelines, expressed some degree of surprise :).

Some airborne portraits:

Oh yes. I completely forgot. Of course, all of the above is pure window dressing. The Minister of Defense personally made sure that we liked everything from the bushes, and then, in the dining room, secretly put the meat in the saucepan. I noticed him and understood: this is such a secret plan to put the dust in the eyes of soldiers' mothers. Let me go!

In Chechnya, the special forces of the Airborne Forces are well known. The mere rumor about his appearance forced the militants to abandon their positions and hastily leave. During the first Chechen war, Dudayev promised to pay a huge sum to anyone who can capture at least one soldier of the 45th regiment. But the prize was never claimed - not a single spetsnaz soldier, neither alive nor dead, fell into the hands of the enemy.

The 45th regiment is one of the youngest units of the Russian army, it was formed on the basis of the 218th and 901st special-purpose battalions, which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year. During the Cold War, when the troops were preparing for a "fight to the fullest," using weapons of mass destruction, the army special forces had to solve the corresponding tasks. These units were intended for deep reconnaissance and sabotage (primarily against nuclear targets) behind enemy lines. And if necessary, they could ensure the landing of troops on enemy territory. Despite the fact that the Special Forces of the Airborne Forces was created after the end of the Cold War, it is fully prepared for solving such tasks in the interests of the Airborne Forces. But this is only one side of the coin.

Non-lethal weapon
Since the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan, our Armed Forces have been continuously participating in various wars and conflicts. So, by the time the 45th regiment began to form, the Airborne Forces scouts had accumulated a wealth of combat experience. And this experience, together with rethought foreign developments (a lot was borrowed from the British SAS, including the motto "The strongest wins"), was fully implemented when creating a new part. So the main task of the Special Forces of the Airborne Forces is to solve any problems in conditions of local conflicts. In this sense, the 45th regiment is a unique unit in the Russian Armed Forces that has everything necessary for this. In addition to two special-purpose battalions, it includes a detachment of unmanned aerial vehicles, a detachment of psychological operations, and a special detachment, staffed only by officers, warrant officers and contract soldiers, designed to solve highly complex and especially important tasks. Including anti-terrorist ones. A kind of "mini-Alpha" for the destruction of terrorists at the facilities of the Ministry of Defense.
The goal of psychological operations is to disorient, demoralize the enemy, undermine faith in victory, and force him to end resistance. In addition, the target of psychological operations can be the population of the combat area, neutral or hostile. The importance of the psychological impact on the enemy was great throughout the entire course of military history, but it especially increased in our information age. Moreover, in conflicts of "low intensity", where there is no front line, and the definition of people according to the principle "friend or foe" can be rather arbitrary. For example, the Americans are well aware of this, who annually spend several times more on "non-lethal weapons" than on nuclear weapons. And this approach justifies itself. Take, for example, the actions of US troops in Panama and Haiti, where the forces of psychological operations played a decisive role.
The Russian Armed Forces have seriously lagged behind the West in these matters. All the more valuable is the unique experience of the psychological warfare unit created within the 45th regiment.
In addition to the marching printing house and equipment with sound-amplifying equipment, the psychological operations unit has a television station capable of broadcasting and relaying programs within a radius of 10 km. There is a small studio where you can edit and dub a TV program. All equipment is located in the GAZ-66 shelters, which ensures high mobility and efficiency of work. Thus, the detachment has serious capabilities to influence public opinion in the combat zone.

What special forces are capable of
But the core of the 45th regiment is, of course, spetsnaz units. In this sense, the part did not arise from scratch. The 218th and 901st Special Forces Battalions, brought together into it, already had significant experience and brilliant victories behind them. Thus, the soldiers of the 218th battalion carried out the operation of "peace enforcement", which, in fact, put an end to the bloody Transnistrian conflict. The 901st battalion was stationed in Sukhumi just before the start of the Georgian-Abkhaz war, and immediately found itself in the very epicenter of the unfolding events. The paratroopers ensured the evacuation of refugees - mainly vacationers caught in the war.
But, fortunately, the special forces have the opportunity to prove themselves not only in such a dramatic situation. For several years in a row, at the international special forces competitions that take place in Bulgaria, the fighters of the 45th regiment take first place, leaving far behind both the "green berets" and the SAS team.

Forge of universal soldiers
The main contingent of special forces battalions are conscripts. If a few years ago the officers of the regiment had the opportunity to choose the best from the recruits, today the situation has changed. For the special forces of the Airborne Forces, a quota has been established - up to 10% of the conscripts sent to the regiment may have a criminal record. The regiment's officers state that in comparison with previous years, the conscripts are less and less consistent with the level required for service in the special forces. Until recently, almost all recruits had sports categories, but today there are only a few. Previously, almost every third person had a higher or secondary technical education. And now a recruit with a completed secondary is already a gift.
But even from such a problematic material in the regiment they make a super-soldier in the full sense of the word. First of all, the new recruit undergoes a series of psychological and physical tests here to determine his readiness to serve in the special forces. Depending on his personal characteristics, his future military specialty is determined. For example, people are calm, balanced and psychologically stable, phlegmatic, are the best suited for work as a sniper or sapper. Some of the recruits are screened out immediately - they go to the support units, or are transferred to other units.
Then training begins. To say that service in the special forces is "not honey" is, in general, almost nothing to say. March throws are replaced by night shooting, flowing into tactical exercises, which culminate in facade mountaineering, or, say, sapper training. Not everyone can keep up with this rhythm either. As a result, six months later, no more than 40% of the "young" remain in the spetsnaz companies: someone himself begins to ask for a transfer to another unit, someone is expelled by the commander. The vacancies that have arisen are filled at the expense of the best fighters of the airborne divisions. And by the end of the first year of service, the green "rookies" turn out to be competent fighters, capable of performing any task, perfectly wielding weapons, communications and subversive equipment.
I must say that, despite the enormous workload, there are no fewer people wishing to get into the 45th. Firstly, young guys are simply interested here. Secondly, the prestige of service in the special forces of the Airborne Forces is very high. And, thirdly, there is no "bullying" in its classical form. The regiment's officers are convinced that human dignity and self-respect are the necessary qualities of a special forces soldier, due to the specifics of his service, he is obliged to take responsibility and take initiative. And a man is broken, psychologically depressed, for reconnaissance - ballast. And, finally, the very fact of serving in the 45th separate is an excellent recommendation for entering the service in other law enforcement agencies to work in the security service or security structure.

From Chechnya to Sokolniki
The precious combat experience accumulated by the regiment, as is usually the case with us, is almost not in demand. But the command of the regiment decides this issue on its own. Fortunately, the psychological operations unit has its own printing house - the commandos print their own instructions and manuals. In addition, on the basis of the regiment, a certain training center has emerged, where not only paratroopers are trained.
Today, when full-scale hostilities in Chechnya have ceased, the role of special forces capable of effectively conducting raiding, search and other reconnaissance activities is increasing many times over. Consequently, the withdrawal of the 45th regiment from Chechnya is not expected in the foreseeable future.
Now the special forces are working as part of a consolidated detachment stationed in the mountainous part of the republic near the village of Khatuni. This place, where the Vedenskoye and Sharoargunskoye gorges meet, is of great importance. Therefore, the responsibility is great, and the range of tasks solved by the consolidated detachment is wide. In addition to the Special Forces of the Airborne Forces, it includes units of the FSB, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Internal Troops and the Ministry of Justice. All have their own functions within the framework of a common task. Combat coordination begins in preparation for the planned replacement, on the basis of the 45th regiment. The main emphasis is placed on tactical, special and fire training, as well as on issues of life support. The loads are very significant - in three months of training, the fighters lose from 5 to 8 kg of weight, despite the fact that they receive enhanced nutrition.
It is known that SOBR and OMON in the Caucasus very often have to perform tasks that are not typical for them. As the experience of the "Khatuninsky" detachment shows, officers of the militia special forces, after joint training with their fellow paratroopers, successfully operate in emergency, "non-militia" situations. In addition, having met and made friends before arriving in Chechnya, having worked out in detail all aspects of the upcoming operations, people act as a single team. Regardless of departmental subordination.
Part of the regiment's units are stationed in Sokolniki in the barracks of the Preobrazhensky regiment. But this is not the only circumstance that makes the special forces fight for the high honor of being officially called the "Preobrazhensky regiment".
As you know, the Preobrazhensky regiment was the first regiment of the regular army of Russia. And the 45th is also, in a sense, the first regiment of the Armed Forces of the future, which has yet to be created. This is both a completely new, comprehensive approach to solving problems, and a completely different attitude to personnel, not as consumables, but as professionals who are of great value. It is known that Peter I considered his "amusing" ones as the backbone of the future Russian army. A separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, like the old Preobrazhensky regiment, became the forge of experienced special forces officers. Many of those who passed his school serve today in "Alpha", "Vympel", "Omega", in other special forces of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB, the Federal Border Guard Service. But along with this, officers who have served in the regiment for several years do not want to be transferred to other units, even despite the fact that career opportunities in the regiment are severely limited. Indeed, for many, he is a real family, and they cannot and do not want to sever ties with it.
In the unit, a special psychological climate has developed, the leading values ​​of which are absolute professionalism, corporatism, one might even say nepotism in the best sense of the word. This is best seen in the example of those who left for the reserve. Those of them, who managed to get a good job in life, have taken upon themselves the material support of those who are fighting in Chechnya. Thanks to their "sponsorship", the commandos are probably the best equipped in the group: jackets and trousers made of membrane fabrics, light warm sleeping bags, comfortable waterproof boots, modern optics and night vision devices, communications equipment.
But the veterans of the regiment help not only with money. There was also such a case: by the winter of 1999 it was time to replace the fighters who had been fighting in the Caucasus since the insurgent invasion of Dagestan. But there was actually no one to change. In the "interwar period" the regiment was reduced by one battalion, and most of the personnel were in Chechnya. The situation is critical: won't you send newly drafted and untrained soldiers to war?
Then, the veterans of the regiment who had gone into the reserve, decided to "shake off the old days" and help their native regiment. Leaving prestigious, high-paying jobs, concluding six-month contracts, and forming their own special group, they went to the Caucasus. The first thing for them was the battle at Zandag, where the "veteran" group occupied an important height and for four hours repelled the fierce attacks of the enemy. Thanks to the veterans, the regiment got the opportunity to replenish itself and prepare a replacement with high quality.
For all ten years of its existence, the special forces of the Airborne Forces have not come out of wars. Transnistria, Abkhazia, Dagestan, both Chechen campaigns, Bosnia, Kosovo - more than one armed conflict can not do without the participation of the soldiers of the 45th separate. During this time there was everything: the pennant of the Minister of Defense "for courage and military valor" and five heroes of Russia from among the soldiers of the regiment. There were, oddly enough, moments when various accusations were made against the unit.
But, in spite of everything, the regiment was, is and remains the true elite of the Russian Army. And in the second campaign, the special forces of the Airborne Forces showed themselves in the best possible way. Dozens of destroyed gangs and discovered militant bases, hundreds of barrels of weapons, kilograms of explosives and drugs seized from secret warehouses - all this was included in the track record of the Separate Intelligence Agency. This combat unit now lives and develops exclusively thanks to the enthusiasm, and even the "quixotism" of its officers. The result of their labors is a perfectly functioning combat organism, a universal tool for solving the most difficult tasks. A real regiment of the future.

Sergey SMIRNOV

The story continues ...
In order to preserve military traditions in September 2005, the regiment received the Battle Banner, the honorary title and state award of the disbanded 119th Guards Airborne Order of the Alexander Nevsky Regiment. Since that time, the regiment has become known as the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Order of Alexander Nevsky.
On February 1, 2008, the 45th Separate Reconnaissance Regiment was reorganized into the 45th Separate Guards Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment.
In August 2008, units of the regiment took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace. An officer of the regiment Hero of Russia Anatoly Lebed was awarded the Order of St. George, IV degree, for the skill and courage shown in this operation.
On July 20, 2009, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of December 18, 2006 No. 1422, the regiment was awarded the St. George Banner as an official symbol and a military relic, the embodiment of honor, glory and military traditions.
In April 2010, the battalion tactical group of the 45th regiment carried out a combat mission to ensure the safety of citizens of the Russian Federation, including family members of military personnel and civilian personnel, on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.
More than two thousand servicemen were awarded state awards for their courage and heroism in performing the assignments of the command. 10 servicemen of the regiment were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. These are Lieutenant Colonel Gridnev Vadim Alekseevich, Senior Lieutenant Ermakov Vitaly Yurievich (posthumously), Captain Zhidkov Dmitry Vasilyevich (posthumously), Private Lays Alexander Viktorovich (posthumously), Captain Lebed Anatoly Vyacheslavovich, Lieutenant Colonel Romanov Nepryakhin Podpryakhin Andrey Anatovich , Captain Alexey Viktorovich Rumyantsev (posthumously), Major Pyotr Karlovich Yatsenko (posthumously).
The scouts of the 45th Separate Guards Order of the Alexander Nevsky Special Forces Regiment are true to the glorious combat traditions of the Airborne Forces and their motto: "The strongest wins!"

In April 2011, by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the 45th Separate Guards Order of Alexander Nevsky, the Airborne Forces' Special Purpose Regiment, was the first in the modern history of Russia to be awarded the Order of Kutuzov. The regiment was awarded this high award for the successful fulfillment of the combat missions of the command and the courage and heroism shown by the personnel.