What is included in the airborne Russian airborne troops

Vests in the city - a million blue berets are celebrating their professional holiday today. A highly mobile formidable force of the country that has no equal! The airborne troops are 88 years old. Throughout this time, the paratroopers fulfilled their military duty with honor and wrote many glorious pages in the history of the country.

Today throughout Russia there are festive concerts, memorial events, and folk festivals. An extensive program is also planned in Moscow. It began with a prayer service in the temple of the prophet Elijah, whom the paratroopers consider their heavenly patron.

In the very center of the capital, final preparations are underway for the start of the celebration. Exactly at noon, demonstration performances of airborne parade units will begin on Red Square. Traditionally, hundreds of people come and come here to the city center to see them. The final touch before the performance. Now a company of cadets of the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne School are perfecting their movements. In addition to them, there are the youngest students of military-patriotic clubs and the combined orchestra of the Airborne Forces.

Very soon, military personnel, veterans, residents of Moscow and guests of the capital will march along Red Square to the Execution Place, where there will be a solemn prayer service. This is how it happened historically: Airborne Forces Day coincides with the great Christian holiday - Elijah's Day. Early in the morning, a divine liturgy was held in the Church of Elijah the Prophet, who is considered the heavenly patron of the Airborne Forces.

The history of the “winged infantry” troops began on August 2, 1930, when 12 people parachuted for the first time in an airborne unit during exercises in the Moscow Military District near Voronezh. Airborne Forces Day will be celebrated brightly, colorfully and cheerfully throughout the country today. Moscow is just beginning to take on the color of vest blue.

The paratroopers say that the way they celebrate August 2, they do not celebrate any holiday in the family, and even those who are retired claim: there are no “former paratroopers.” In the capital, on Vasilievsky Spusk, after the demonstration performance there will be a festive concert. But it will be possible to meet your colleagues and celebrate Airborne Forces Day not only here. Festive events in almost all parks. In Gorky Park you can go to an exhibition of military equipment, and there will also be demonstration performances in hand-to-hand combat.

Blue Berets have been lucky with the weather for several years in a row - the same blue sky, which means swimming in the fountains cannot be avoided.

In Ryazan, which has the unofficial status of the capital of the Airborne Forces, this year they are also celebrating the centenary of the legendary airborne school named after Vasily Margelov - the famous Uncle Vasya, who is considered the founder of the “winged guard”.

In honor of the centenary anniversary, balloonists raised a 100-meter St. George's ribbon into the sky. It was attached to two balloons. The festivities are just beginning. The whole city will be out for a walk today.

The holiday was widely celebrated in Vladivostok. The “Nobody But Us” motor rally took place there. A column with Airborne Forces flags drove from Russky Island to Victory Park, where paratroopers laid flowers at the monument to Primorye residents who died during the war. Well, then - festivities and songs with a guitar.

The Ministry of Defense published unique historical documents for Airborne Forces Day about the first pages of the glorious military path of the “winged guard” and more. Previously, the materials were classified, but are now available to the general public.

Thus, already at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in the fall of 1941, the airborne brigade, finding itself in the rear of the advancing Nazis, fought its way to its own, destroying a large enemy formation with artillery and tanks. The soldiers acted boldly and decisively, instilling such fear in the Nazis that subsequently the Wehrmacht command even issued a special order - soldiers in blue caps and aviation uniforms should not be taken prisoner.

Among the declassified papers there is also a description of the legendary Airborne Forces commander Vasily Margelov: Disciplined, demanding of himself and his subordinates, pays a lot of attention to uniting personnel, knows how to lead a formation in a difficult combat situation - these are just some of the most striking features.

Serve in the Airborne Forces prestigious and honorable, and the desire of the guys to get into these elite troops is becoming more and more evident. How to get into service in the Airborne Forces, what is needed for this, we will analyze in detail.

Airborne Troops

Airborne Forces motto: “Nobody but us”

March of the paratroopers. Watch the video... Parade on Victory Day 2014. Paratroopers are walking along Red Square, airborne special forces are marching. Landing of 1,500 people with D-10 parachutes from Il-76 aircraft. Landing of equipment. The parade pace is 120 steps per minute. Look! This is the Airborne Forces!

Many people are breathtaking when the paratroopers walk across Red Square. The faces of the guys, in whose eyes every step they take reflects pride in the troops, whose representatives they are walking along the Main Square of the Motherland. They visited the Sky under the canopies of parachutes, underwent exercises, many of them participated in combat operations, protecting the interests and security of the Motherland. Serving Russia, serving one’s Motherland is worthy of everyone’s honor, because behind this stands security and a peaceful Sky above the heads of family and friends.

Airborne troops consist of formations, units and units of paratroopers, tanks, artillery... engineering troops, communications... squadron... Everything is in the Airborne Forces. The Airborne Forces are the reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces and the basis of mobile rapid reaction forces. And there are no impossible tasks where there are Airborne Troops.

I want to serve in the Airborne Forces

More and more often we hear from guys: “I want to serve in the Airborne Forces. What is needed for this? How to get into service in the Airborne Forces." Good desire and good questions.

You need to prepare for service in the Airborne Forces.

Preference is given not only to the strong, but also to the smart.

1. Study, get an education. If you, having received a higher education, are conscripted, then the military registration and enlistment office will offer you either to serve a year under conscription, or two years under a contract. What do you think the guys choose? Yes! Mostly they go to serve under a contract.

2. Sports development. The main thing is running 3-5 km in the morning. The crossbar is a pull-up with a normal grip, not a reverse grip. The snatch pull-up is all about speed, while the power pull-up is all about the need and work on the inversion bar. Hang on the bar with a normal grip and work your feet up to the bar. Push-ups from the floor on your hands, on your fists and on your fingers. Push-ups on parallel bars.

Swim, play volleyball, basketball, football. This is all physical development.

3. At all commissions at the military registration and enlistment office, declare your desire. And if you didn’t have time to declare at the medical commissions, go to the military registration and enlistment office in the conscription department and say that you want to serve in the Airborne Forces. Talk and convince until they put a mark on your record card.

If there is an airborne unit in the city, go to the commander, be able to prove to him your desire to serve in the Airborne Forces. Be brave from the very beginning, and if you get an attitude (this is the basis for the military registration and enlistment office for conscription into a certain unit), it will be just great.

4. If you serve in the Airborne Forces, you need to be ready for landing. Go skydiving. Three independent parachute jumps is the third sports category, it is assigned to everyone after the third jump.

During the period of service in the Airborne Forces, according to the mandatory program, all paratroopers make 12 parachute jumps. Now there are parachute systems in all airborne formations and units.

5. Health. Train your heart by running and swimming. Height 175 - 190 cm, weight 75 - 90 kg... These are the standards for admission to skydiving. Those with low weight are not accepted into the Airborne Forces.

Service in the Airborne Forces is interesting, and if you have physical training, it will be easier to get involved... And after serving military service, many guys continue to serve under a contract. 70% contract workers, 30% conscripts. According to the contract, after training, sergeants are placed in positions that officers previously held. So, guys, study, get an education, try military service, and if you want to stay in the Airborne Forces, then there are two ways - contract service or the Airborne School in Ryazan.

They say that you become real paratroopers after

People are not born paratroopers, they become paratroopers.

How to get into service in the Airborne Forces

There is a desire to serve in the Airborne Forces. How to get into service in the Airborne Forces...?

The very first thing you need to do is express your desire to the Military Registration Office. Now many guys themselves come to the Military Commissariat, to the conscription department, and ask to be drafted into the Airborne Forces. They put a mark in their personal file: desire to serve in the Airborne Forces.

Throughout Russia there are Regional branches of the Union of Russian Paratroopers. You need to find your department and show up there, indicating your desires and intentions. The Union of Paratroopers works jointly with military registration and enlistment offices with pre-conscription youth, and there is an opportunity to attend military sports training camps. From here, too, a direct entry into service in the Airborne Forces, maybe even in a certain military unit.

I give information on the regional branches of the Union of Paratroopers of Russia. I took it from the website of the Union of Russian Paratroopers.

Do you want to serve in the Airborne Forces? Look for ways, show character. You are men!

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Where do they serve in the Airborne Forces?

To the question where they serve in the Airborne Forces, I’ll answer briefly.

The Airborne Forces include:

4 divisions - 7th in Novorossiysk, 76th in Pskov, 98th in Ivanovo, 106th in Tula;

31st Air Assault Brigade in Ulyanovsk

The 45th separate special-purpose regiment was formed in February 1994 on the basis of 218 and 901 separate special-purpose battalions. Location: Kubinka, Moscow region.

By the end of 2015, the 345th Separate Airborne Brigade will be formed in Voronezh. This

The Airborne Forces Training Center is located in Omsk.

7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division- airborne connection Soviet Army and Russian Armed Forces. Formed October 15, 1948.

Divisions:

108th Guards Air Assault Kuban Cossack Order of the Red Star Regiment (Novorossiysk)
247th Guards Air Assault Caucasian Cossack Regiment. (Stavropol)
1141st Guards Artillery Regiment (Anapa)
3rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment
743rd Separate Guards Signal Battalion
629th separate engineer battalion (Starotitarovskaya station, Krasnodar Territory)
1681st separate logistics battalion (Novorossiysk)
32nd separate medical detachment

76th Guards Chernigov Red Banner Airborne Assault Division (76 guards dshd, before March 1, 1943 157th Rifle Division)- the oldest existing airborne formation of the Russian Armed Forces.

Formed on September 1, 1939. Stationed in the city of Pskov, hence the nickname “Pskovskaya”, one of the air assault regiments is located in the suburban village of Cherekha.

management (headquarters)
104th Guards Air Assault Red Banner Regiment of the Order of Peter the Great
234th Guards Air Assault Black Sea Order of Kutuzov 3rd degree Regiment named after Alexander Nevsky
237th Guards Parachute Landing Torun Red Banner Regiment (disbanded in 2001). The regiment can be deployed after receiving an order, replenished with assigned personnel.
1140th Guards Artillery Twice Red Banner Regiment
4th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (formerly 165th Separate Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Division)
656th Guards Separate Engineer-Sapper Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class Battalion
728th Guards Separate Signal Battalion
7th Guards Separate Repair and Reconstruction Battalion
3996th military hospital (airmobile). All personnel have parachute training, from 3 jumps.
242nd separate military transport aviation squadron (An-2, An-3). Serves for direct airborne training of unit personnel without the involvement of the Russian Air Force VTA
1682nd Guards Separate Material Support Battalion
175th Guards Separate Reconnaissance Company
968th Guards Separate Airborne Support Company
separate RCBZ company
commandant company

98th Guards Svir Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Airborne Division- airborne formation consisting of Armed forces of the USSR and Russia.

Composition in 2012

98th Guards Airborne Division (Ivanovo) 217th Guards Parachute Regiment (Ivanovo)
331st Guards Parachute Regiment (Kostroma)
1065th Guards Red Banner Artillery Regiment (Kostroma)
5th Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (formerly 318th Separate Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Division; Ivanovo)
243rd separate military transport aviation squadron (Ivanovo)
36th separate medical detachment (airmobile) (Ivanovo)
674th Separate Guards Signal Battalion (Ivanovo)
661st separate engineer battalion (Ivanovo)
15th separate repair and restoration battalion (Ivanovo)
1683rd separate logistics battalion (Ivanovo)
969th separate airborne support company (Ivanovo)
215th separate guards reconnaissance company (Ivanovo)
728th courier-postal communication station (Ivanovo)
educational and training complex (Pesochnoe, Yaroslavl region).

106th Guards Airborne Order of Kutuzov Red Banner Division- formation of the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and then of the Russian Federation. Units of the division are stationed in Tula, Ryazan and Naro-Fominsk, the division headquarters is in Tula.

Composition of the division in 2009:

51st Guards Parachute Landing Red Banner Order of Suvorov Regiment named after Dmitry Donskoy
137th Guards Parachute Landing Order of the Red Star Regiment
1182nd Guards Artillery Novgorod Red Banner Order of Suvorov 3rd degree, Kutuzov 3rd degree, Bogdan Khmelnitsky 2nd degree and Alexander Nevsky Regiment (Naro-Fominsk, Moscow region)
173rd Guards Separate Reconnaissance Company
388th separate guards engineer battalion
731st Separate Guards Signal Battalion
970th separate airborne support company
43rd Guards Separate Repair and Reconstruction Battalion
1060th separate logistics battalion
39th separate medical detachment (airmobile)
1883rd courier-postal communication station
1st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (formerly 107th Separate Guards Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Division (military unit 71298, Naro-Fominsk, Moscow Region)

Information on airborne divisions - source Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Russian airborne troops are armed with both conventional types of military equipment and models developed specifically for this type of troops, taking into account the specifics of its tasks.

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

History of the creation of the Airborne Forces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the mid-80s, the USSR Ground Forces included 14 air assault brigades, 20 battalions and 22 separate air assault regiments.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Structure and composition of the airborne troops of the Russian Federation

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

Structurally, the Airborne Forces have three main components:

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

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

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

Airborne regiments and brigades:

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

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

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

Armament and equipment of the Russian Airborne Forces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In recent years, the Airborne Forces have begun to receive new models of automotive equipment, of which the Tiger armored car, the A-1 Snowmobile all-terrain vehicle and the KAMAZ-43501 truck should be noted.

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

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

The Airborne Forces are armed with the Pecheneg (Russia) and NSV (USSR) machine guns, as well as the Kord heavy machine gun (Russia).

Among the sniper systems, it is worth noting the SV-98 (Russia) and Vintorez (USSR), as well as the Austrian sniper rifle Steyr SSG 04, which was purchased for the needs of the special forces of the Airborne Forces. The paratroopers are armed with the AGS-17 “Flame” and AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers, as well as the SPG-9 “Spear” mounted grenade launcher. In addition, a number of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers of both Soviet and Russian production are used.

To conduct aerial reconnaissance and adjust artillery fire, the Airborne Forces use Russian-made Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles. The exact number of Orlans in service with the Airborne Forces is unknown.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

The airborne troops can rightfully be considered a model of valor and strength of the Russian army. It is difficult to imagine a soldier who dreams of serving in the army who would not want to try himself as a paratrooper.

Service in this branch of the military has several characteristic features, among which intense physical activity is key. Because of this, the current legislation provides for a number of mandatory requirements that a conscript who wishes to serve in the ranks of the elite troops must meet.

How to get into the Airborne Forces by conscription is a question many conscripts ask themselves before visiting a medical commission. The answer is simple: it is important to meet all selection criteria and express your desire to the distribution committee to get into this particular branch of the military.

What is important to do

According to current legal norms, namely in accordance with paragraph “D” of the regulation “On Military Duty”, recommendations on the distribution of conscript soldiers are provided by the head of the territorial military registration and enlistment office. As a rule, persons of military age are asked about their intentions regarding military service even during their initial registration. After passing the medical commission, the conscript goes to a meeting of the draft commission, where a preliminary decision will be made on which troops the young man will serve in (in the absence of contraindications for health reasons). Here it is important not to be shy and clearly indicate your desire to serve in the Airborne Forces.

It is very important to understand that airborne troops are not just romance, it is a very difficult and dangerous service. This branch of the military is not only considered the elite of the entire Russian army, it is practically the main reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, therefore the requirements for enrollment in this branch of the military are much more serious than anywhere else. Good health and impressive endurance are especially important if you want to serve in a special forces unit.

Key criteria for selecting recruits

For ease of understanding, these requirements for conscript soldiers should be divided into several categories.

Physical health status

The intense stress to which an ordinary airborne force is exposed requires impeccable health. There should be no congenital or acquired pathologies. Based on the results of the examination, the medical commission at the military registration and enlistment office must make a decision, which must be recorded in the relevant documentation.

In addition, a conscript applying for service in the Airborne Forces should not have any predisposition to chronic inflammatory processes. The medical record from the clinic at the place of permanent registration should not contain evidence of surgical interventions as a result of injuries or the development of internal pathology. Every day, paratroopers are exposed to heavy loads, which include:

grueling training to develop endurance;
constant parachute jumps;
regular exhaustion of the body as a result of long flights;
unbalanced nutrition during survival courses, etc.

All this can leave an indelible mark on a weakened body, so you should sensibly assess your health. If you have a deliberate desire to enter conscript service in the Airborne Forces, it is recommended to begin training as early as possible. Indeed, in addition to physically good health and the absence of pathological processes in the body, these are not all the requirements.

Mental health and emotional stability are also essential requirements for a soldier entering military service as a paratrooper. The conscript will have to undergo a series of specialized tests, which cannot be deliberately cheated. They are developed by military psychologists and are quite successfully used in practice, weeding out unreliable applicants.

Physical data

There are certain anthropometric parameters that must be met in order to enlist in the Airborne Forces. The indicators are reasonable. Even a slight deviation from the specified height and weight requirements can be the main reason for refusal.

The height of a potential paratrooper should not be less than 175 cm and no more than 195 cm. Body weight can vary from 75 to 85 kg.

These indicators are natural in a physiological sense. Deviation from these parameters is indirect evidence of hidden health problems. In addition, non-compliance with these requirements may hinder the fulfillment of the combat mission assigned to the elite troops of the Russian Federation.

The growth indicators were also not assigned by chance. Short people definitely won’t be able to cope with strength training and other delights of blue beret life for long, but people who are too tall have a different problem. A long stay in the air, which is the norm for a paratrooper, is associated with intense atmospheric stress, which affects blood pressure. Tall people are more susceptible to hypotension (low blood pressure syndrome), which can also leave an imprint on a soldier’s health even after military service.

If height discrepancy is almost impossible to correct, then with weight things are different. You can gain muscle mass, or vice versa, get rid of excess weight in a relatively short time; it is important to take care of yourself in time.

Physical form

A conscript who wishes to serve in the Airborne Forces must meet physical fitness requirements. In the absence of medical and physiological contraindications, the soldier will be asked to pass the following physical standards:

20 push-ups;
20 pull-ups;
cross 3 km with equipment weighing 15 kg.

This will have to be demonstrated to the draft commission, otherwise the conscript’s request to enlist in the ranks of the Airborne Forces will be denied. It is important to understand that these requirements may not seem so complicated, but in reality this is far from the case. It will not be possible to meet these standards without targeted and lengthy preparation. In addition, to achieve such indicators, it is recommended to refrain from consuming alcohol and tobacco products.

Education

A potential paratrooper must not only meet all the previously mentioned requirements. An equally important factor is the availability of education. The general average will be quite enough. A good advantage would be the absence of C grades in the certificate.

Additional factors

There are several factors that can significantly increase a young man's chances of successfully enlisting in the Airborne Forces. These include:

skydiving experience;
presence of a documented sports category (athletics and martial arts are especially valued).

It is important to understand that the officers and the draft commission are interested in the high-quality selection of military personnel into the elite troops. Therefore, no one intends to deliberately put a spoke in the wheels. It is important to prepare properly for the decisive call and do everything possible to achieve your goal.

After completing military service, paratroopers have good prospects and benefits when entering specialized universities. In addition, after 3 months of compulsory service, the soldier may be offered to sign a contract.

The history of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) began in the late 1920s. last century. In April 1929, near the village of Garm (the territory of the present Republic of Tajikistan), a group of Red Army soldiers was landed on several planes, which, with the support of local residents, defeated a Basmachi detachment.

On August 2, 1930, at a training exercise of the Air Force (VVS) of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, a small unit of 12 people parachuted for the first time to perform a tactical mission. This date is officially considered the “birthday” of the Airborne Forces.

In 1931, in the Leningrad Military District (LenVO), as part of the 1st air brigade, an experienced airborne detachment of 164 people was created, intended for landing by landing method. Then, in the same air brigade, a non-standard parachute detachment was formed. In August and September 1931, during the exercises of the Leningrad and Ukrainian military districts, the detachment parachuted and carried out tactical tasks behind enemy lines. In 1932, the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR adopted a resolution on the deployment of detachments into special-purpose aviation battalions. By the end of 1933, there were already 29 airborne battalions and brigades that became part of the Air Force. The Leningrad Military District was entrusted with the task of training instructors in airborne operations and developing operational-tactical standards.

In 1934, 600 paratroopers were involved in Red Army exercises; in 1935, 1,188 paratroopers were parachuted during maneuvers in the Kyiv Military District. In 1936, 3 thousand paratroopers were landed in the Belarusian Military District, and 8,200 people with artillery and other military equipment were landed.

By improving their training during exercises, the paratroopers gained experience in real battles. In 1939, the 212th Airborne Brigade (Airborne Brigade) took part in the defeat of the Japanese at Khalkhin Gol. For their courage and heroism, 352 paratroopers were awarded orders and medals. In 1939-1940, during the Soviet-Finnish War, the 201st, 202nd and 214th Airborne Brigades fought together with rifle units.

Based on the experience gained, in 1940 new brigade staffs were approved, consisting of three combat groups: parachute, glider and landing. Since March 1941, airborne corps (airborne corps) of brigade composition (3 brigades per corps) began to be formed in the Airborne Forces. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the recruitment of five corps was completed, but only with personnel due to the insufficient amount of military equipment.

The main armament of airborne formations and units consisted mainly of light and heavy machine guns, 50- and 82-mm mortars, 45-mm anti-tank and 76-mm mountain guns, light tanks (T-40 and T-38), and flamethrowers. The personnel jumped using parachutes of the PD-6 and then PD-41 types.

Small-sized cargo was dropped in soft parachute bags. Heavy equipment was delivered to the landing force on special suspensions under the fuselages of aircraft. For landing, mainly TB-3, DB-3 bombers and the PS-84 passenger aircraft were used.

The beginning of the Great Patriotic War found the airborne corps stationed in the Baltic states, Belarus and Ukraine at the stage of formation. The difficult situation that developed in the first days of the war forced the Soviet command to use these corps in combat operations as rifle formations.

On September 4, 1941, the Airborne Forces Directorate was transformed into the Directorate of the Commander of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army, and the airborne corps were withdrawn from active fronts and transferred directly to the command of the Airborne Forces Commander.

In the counteroffensive near Moscow, conditions were created for the widespread use of airborne forces. In the winter of 1942, the Vyazma airborne operation was carried out with the participation of the 4th Airborne Division. In September 1943, an airborne assault consisting of two brigades was used to assist the troops of the Voronezh Front in crossing the Dnieper River. In the Manchurian strategic operation in August 1945, more than 4 thousand personnel of rifle units were landed for landing operations, who successfully completed the assigned tasks.

In October 1944, the Airborne Forces were transformed into a separate Guards Airborne Army, which became part of long-range aviation. In December 1944, this army was disbanded, and the Airborne Forces Directorate was created, reporting to the commander of the Air Force. The Airborne Forces retained three airborne brigades, an airborne training regiment, advanced training courses for officers and an aeronautical division.

For the massive heroism of paratroopers during the Great Patriotic War, all airborne formations were given the honorary title of “Guards.” Thousands of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Airborne Forces were awarded orders and medals, 296 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

In 1964, the Airborne Forces were transferred to the Ground Forces with direct subordination to the USSR Minister of Defense. After the war, along with organizational changes, the troops were rearmed: the number of automatic small arms, artillery, mortars, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons in the formations increased. The Airborne Forces now have tracked combat landing vehicles (BMD-1), airborne self-propelled artillery systems (ASU-57 and SU-85), 85- and 122-mm guns, rocket launchers and other weapons. Military transport aircraft An-12, An-22 and Il-76 were created for landing. At the same time, special airborne equipment was being developed.

In 1956, two airborne divisions (airborne divisions) took part in the Hungarian events. In 1968, after the capture of two airfields near Prague and Bratislava, the 7th and 103rd Guards Airborne Divisions were landed, which ensured the successful completion of the task by formations and units of the United Armed Forces of the countries participating in the Warsaw Pact during the Czechoslovak events.

In 1979-1989 The Airborne Forces took part in combat operations as part of the Limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. For courage and heroism, more than 30 thousand paratroopers were awarded orders and medals, and 16 people became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

Beginning in 1979, in addition to the three air assault brigades, several air assault brigades and separate battalions were formed in the military districts, which entered the combat formation of the Airborne Forces by 1989.

Since 1988, formations and military units of the Airborne Forces have constantly carried out various special tasks to resolve interethnic conflicts on the territory of the USSR.

In 1992, the Airborne Forces ensured the evacuation of the Russian embassy from Kabul (Democratic Republic of Afghanistan). The first Russian battalion of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Yugoslavia was formed on the basis of the Airborne Forces. From 1992 to 1998, the PDP carried out peacekeeping tasks in the Republic of Abkhazia.

In 1994-1996 and 1999-2004. all formations and military units of the Airborne Forces took part in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic. For courage and heroism, 89 paratroopers were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1995, on the basis of airborne forces, peacekeeping contingents were formed in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in 1999 - in Kosovo and Metohija (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia). The 10th anniversary of the unprecedented forced march of the parachute battalion was celebrated in 2009.

By the end of the 1990s. The Airborne Forces retained four airborne divisions, an airborne brigade, a training center and support units.

Since 2005, three components have been formed in the Airborne Forces:

airborne (main) - 98th Guards. Airborne Division and 106th Guards Airborne Division of 2 regiments;
air assault - 76th Guards. air assault division (airborne assault division) of 2 regiments and the 31st Guards separate airborne assault brigade (airborne assault brigade) of 3 battalions;
mountain - 7th Guards. dshd (mountain).

Airborne units receive modern armored weapons and equipment (BMD-4, BTR-MD armored personnel carrier, KamAZ vehicles).

Since 2005, units of formations and military units of the Airborne Forces have been actively participating in joint exercises with units of the armed forces of Armenia, Belarus, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, China, and Uzbekistan.

In August 2008, military units of the Airborne Forces took part in an operation to force Georgia to peace, operating in the Ossetian and Abkhazian directions.

Two airborne formations (98th Guards Airborne Division and 31st Guards Airborne Brigade) are part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO CRRF).

At the end of 2009, in each airborne division, separate anti-aircraft missile regiments were formed on the basis of separate anti-aircraft missile artillery divisions. At the initial stage, air defense systems of the Ground Forces entered service, which will later be replaced by airborne systems.

In accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated October 11, 2013 No. 776, the Airborne Forces included three air assault brigades stationed in Ussuriysk, Ulan-Ude and Kamyshin, which were previously part of the Eastern and Southern Military Districts.

In 2015, the Verba man-portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) was adopted by the Airborne Forces. Deliveries of the latest air defense systems are carried out in kits that include Verba MANPADS and the Barnaul-T automated control system.

In April 2016, the BMD-4M Sadovnitsa airborne combat vehicle and the BTR-MDM Rakushka armored personnel carrier were adopted by the Airborne Forces. The vehicles successfully passed tests and performed well during military operation. The 106th Airborne Division became the first unit in the Airborne Forces to receive new serial military equipment.

The commanders of the Airborne Forces over the years were:

Lieutenant General V. A. Glazunov (1941-1943);
Major General A. G. Kapitokhin (1943-1944);
Lieutenant General I. I. Zatevakhin (1944-1946);
Colonel General V.V. Glagolev (1946-1947);
Lieutenant General A.F. Kazankin (1947-1948);
Colonel General of Aviation S. I. Rudenko (1948-1950);
Colonel General A.V. Gorbatov (1950-1954);
Army General V.F. Margelov (1954-1959, 1961-1979);
Colonel General I.V. Tutarinov (1959-1961);
Army General D.S. Sukhorukov (1979-1987);
Colonel General N.V. Kalinin (1987-1989);
Colonel General V. A. Achalov (1989);
Lieutenant General P. S. Grachev (1989-1991);
Colonel General E. N. Podkolzin (1991-1996);
Colonel General G.I. Shpak (1996-2003);
Colonel General A.P. Kolmakov (2003-2007);
Lieutenant General V. E. Evtukhovich (2007-2009);
Colonel General V. A. Shamanov (2009-2016);
Colonel General A. N. Serdyukov (since October 2016).