Based on the Presidential Decree Russian Federation dated May 31, 2006 “On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation” as a memorable day designed to promote the revival and development of domestic military traditions and increase prestige military service and established in recognition of the merits of military specialists in solving the problems of ensuring the defense and security of the state.
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; in August 2008, military units of the Airborne Forces took part in the operation to force Georgia to peace, operating in the Ossetian and Abkhazian directions.
On the basis of the Airborne Forces, the first Russian battalion of UN peacekeeping forces was formed in Yugoslavia (1992), peacekeeping contingents in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995), in Kosovo and Metohija (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 1999).
Since 2005, according to their specialization, airborne units have been divided into airborne, air assault and mountain. The former includes the 98th Guards Airborne Division and the 106th Guards Airborne Division of two regiments, the latter - the 76th Guards Air Assault Division of two regiments and the 31st Guards Separate Airborne Brigade of three battalions, and The third is the 7th Guards Air Assault Division (Mountain).
Two airborne formations (98th Guards Airborne Division and 31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade) are part of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
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.
According to information for 2012, the total number of the Russian Airborne Forces is about 30 thousand people. The Airborne Forces include four divisions, the 31st separate airborne brigade, 45th separate regiment special purpose, 242nd The educational center and other divisions.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Structure of the Russian Airborne Forces
In this article we will start talking about the organizational structure of the Airborne Forces. For the holiday airborne troops it makes sense to talk about some components of the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces, where people who have the most to do with the landing serve and work direct relation. Let’s try to clearly define where everything is located and who is doing what exactly.
Like any army structure, the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation has a clear, well-coordinated organized structure, consisting of the administrative apparatus of the airborne troops, two airborne assault (mountain) and two airborne divisions, separate airborne and airborne brigades.
Also, the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces includes a separate communications regiment, a separate guards regiment special purpose, as well as some educational institutions - Ryazan Higher Airborne command school, Ulyanovsk Guards Suvorov military school, as well as Nizhny Novgorod cadet school. In short, this is approximately what the organizational structure of the Russian Airborne Forces looks like. Now let's explore this topic in more detail.
It is, of course, possible to say something in detail about the administrative apparatus of the structure of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation, but there is not much sense in this. Let us just note that in the ranks of the Airborne Forces there are approximately 4 thousand officers of various ranks, including sergeants. This figure can be considered quite optimal.
Personnel composition of the Russian Airborne Forces
In addition to the officers, in the ranks of the Russian Airborne Forces there are also contract servicemen, conscripts, as well as special civilian personnel. In total, the structure of the Airborne Forces in our country numbers approximately 35 thousand soldiers and officers, as well as about 30 thousand civilian personnel, workers and employees. Not so little, if you think about it, especially for elite troops and the training corresponding to the elite in all spheres of military life.
Now let's take a little more detail about the divisions that are part of organizational structure Airborne Forces As stated above, it consists of two airborne and two air assault divisions. More recently, until 2006, all divisions of the Russian Airborne Forces were airborne. However, subsequently the leadership decided that such a number of paratroopers was not required in the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces, so half of the existing divisions were reformatted into air assault divisions.
This is not a whim of the Russian command exclusively, but the spirit of the times, when it is often easier not to drop parachute troops, but to land an elite unit on special transport helicopters. All sorts of situations happen in war.
The famous 7th division, based in Novorossiysk since the 90s, and the 76th, the oldest among all airborne divisions, located in Pskov, were reformatted into air assault divisions. The 98th Ivanovskaya and 106th Tula remained airborne. It's about the same with separate teams. The airborne brigades in Ulan-Ude and Ussuriysk remained airborne, but the Ulyanovsk and Kamyshinskaya became air assault. So the balance of both in the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces is approximately the same.
Well, among other things, individual tank and motorized rifle companies and reconnaissance battalions also undergo programmatic airborne training, although they are not listed in the organizational structure of the Russian Airborne Forces. But who knows, what if they suddenly have to act together and perform similar tasks?
Separate regiments in the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces
Now let's move on to separate shelves, which are part of the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces. There are two of them: the 38th separate communications regiment and the 45th special purpose guards regiment. The 38th Signal Regiment was formed after the Great Patriotic War in Belarus. Specific tasks are to ensure communication between headquarters and subordinates on the front line.
In the most difficult conditions, signalmen certainly marched in combat landing formations, organizing and maintaining telephone and radio communications. Previously, the regiment was located in the Vitebsk region, but over time it was relocated to the Moscow region. The regiment's home base is the village of Medvezhye Ozera, which is explained by the fact that it is there that the huge Communications Satellite Control Center is located.
The 45th Guards Special Purpose Regiment, based in Kubinka near Moscow, is the youngest military unit of the Russian Airborne Forces structure. It was formed in 1994 on the basis of two other separate battalions special purpose. At the same time, despite its youth, over the 20 years of its existence the regiment has already managed to be awarded the Orders of Alexander Nevsky and Kutuzov.
Educational institutions in the structure of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation
And finally, a few words should be said about educational institutions. As mentioned above, there are several of them in the organizational structure of the Russian Airborne Forces. The most famous, of course, is RVVDKU - Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, which since 1996 has been named after Vasily Filippovich Margelov. I think it’s not worth explaining to the paratroopers what kind of person he is.
In the organizational structure of the Airborne Forces, the Ryazan School is the oldest - it has been operating since 1918, even when the concept of “airborne assault” did not yet exist in the ranks of the Red Army. But this did not stop the school from producing trained, qualified fighters, masters of their craft. Ryazan became a forge of airborne personnel around the 1950s.
Junior commanders and specialists in the Airborne Forces are trained at the 242nd training center. This center began to take shape back in the 1960s with the participation of Margelov himself, and modern place in the organizational structure of the Airborne Forces received in 1987. In 1992, the 242nd training center was transferred from Lithuania to the city of Omsk. This training center prepares junior commanders of all technical means adopted by the airborne troops, radiotelephone operators, commanders and artillerymen of howitzers, gunners of airborne combat vehicles.
In the organizational structure of the Russian Airborne Forces there are other educational institutions that deserve attention, such as the 332nd warrant officer school or the Ulyanovsk Guards Suvorov Military School, and you can write and write a lot more about them, but there simply isn’t enough space on the entire site to mention all the most interesting moments and achievements of all components of the Airborne Forces structure.
Conclusion
Therefore, we will leave space for the future and, perhaps, a little later we will tell in more detail about each division, brigade, educational institution in a separate article. We have no doubt - they serve and work there extremely worthy people, the real elite of the Russian army, and sooner or later we will speak about them in as much detail as possible.
If we sum up all of the above, then studying the organizational structure of the Russian Airborne Forces does not represent any special work - it is extremely transparent and understandable to everyone. Perhaps some difficulties arise in connection with the study of movements and reorganizations immediately after the collapse of the USSR, but this already seems inevitable. Nevertheless, even now some changes are constantly taking place in the structure of the Russian Airborne Forces, albeit not too large-scale. But this has more to do with optimizing the work of the airborne troops as much as possible.
Air landing troops Russians are designed to perform various combat missions behind enemy lines, destroy combat points, cover various units and many other tasks. In peacetime, airborne divisions often play the role of rapid reaction forces in the event of emergency situations requiring military intervention. The Russian Airborne Forces carry out their tasks immediately after landing, for which helicopters or airplanes are used.
The history of the emergence of Russian airborne troops
The history of the Airborne Forces began at the end of 1930. It was then, at base 11 rifle division, a detachment of a fundamentally new type was created - an airborne assault force. This detachment was the prototype of the first Soviet airborne unit. In 1932, this detachment became known as the Special Purpose Aviation Brigade. Airborne units existed with this name until 1938, when they were renamed the 201st Airborne Brigade.
The first use of landing forces in a combat operation in the USSR took place in 1929 (after which the decision was made to create such units). Then the Soviet Red Army soldiers were parachuted in the area of the Tajik city of Garm, which was captured by a gang of Basmachi bandits who came to the territory of Tajikistan from abroad. Despite the superior numbers of the enemy, acting decisively and boldly, the Red Army soldiers completely defeated the gang.
Many argue whether this operation should be considered a full-fledged landing, since the Red Army detachment was disembarked after the plane landed, and did not parachute. One way or another, Airborne Forces Day is not dedicated to this date, but is celebrated in honor of the group’s first full-fledged landing near the Klochkovo farmstead near Voronezh, which was carried out as part of military exercises.
In 1931, by special order number 18, an experienced airborne detachment was created, whose task was to clarify the scope and purpose of the airborne troops. This freelance detachment consisted of 164 personnel and included:
- One rifle company;
- Several separate platoons (communications, engineer and light vehicle platoon);
- Heavy Bomber Squadrons;
- One corps aviation detachment.
Already in 1932, all such detachments were deployed into special battalions, and by the end of 1933 there were 29 such battalions and brigades. The task of training aviation instructors and developing special standards was entrusted to the Leningrad Military District.
In pre-war times, airborne troops were used by the high command to strike at enemy rear lines, to help soldiers who were surrounded, and so on. In the 1930s, the Red Army took the practical training of paratroopers very seriously. In 1935, a total of 2,500 troops were landed during the maneuvers, along with military equipment. The very next year, the number of landing troops was increased more than threefold, which made a huge impression on the military delegations of foreign countries that were invited to the maneuvers.
The first real battle involving Soviet paratroopers took place in 1939. Although this incident is described by Soviet historians as an ordinary military conflict, Japanese historians consider it a real local war. The 212th Airborne Brigade took part in the battles for Khalkhin Gol. Since the use of fundamentally new paratrooper tactics came as a complete surprise to the Japanese, the Airborne Forces brilliantly proved what they were capable of.
Participation of the Airborne Forces in the Great Patriotic War
Before the start of World War II, all airborne brigades were deployed into corps. Each corps had more than 10,000 people, whose weapons were the most advanced at that time. On September 4, 1941, all units of the Airborne Forces were transferred to the direct subordination of the commander of the airborne forces (the first commander of the Airborne Forces was Lieutenant General Glazunov, who served in this position until 1943). After this the following were formed:
- 10 Airborne Corps;
- 5 maneuverable airborne brigades of the Airborne Forces;
- Spare airborne regiments;
- Airborne School.
Before the start of the Second World War, airborne troops were an independent branch of the military that were capable of solving a wide range of tasks.
Airborne regiments were widely involved in the counteroffensive, as well as various combat operations, including assistance and support for other types of troops. Throughout all the years of the Great Patriotic War Airborne troops have proven their effectiveness.
In 1944, the Airborne Forces were reorganized into the Guards Airborne Army. It became part of the long-range aviation. On December 18 of the same year, this army was renamed the 9th Guards Army, which included all brigades, divisions and regiments of the Airborne Forces. At the same time, a separate Airborne Forces directorate was created, which was subordinate to the commander of the air force.
Airborne troops in the post-war period
In 1946, all brigades and divisions of the Airborne Forces were transferred to the ground forces. They were subordinate to the Ministry of Defense, being the reserve type of troops of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
In 1956, the Airborne Forces again had to take part in an armed skirmish. Together with other types of troops, the paratroopers were sent to suppress the Hungarian uprising against the pro-Soviet regime.
In 1968, two airborne divisions took part in the events in Czechoslovakia, where they provided full support to all formations and units of this operation.
After the war, all units and brigades of the airborne troops received the latest types of firearms and many pieces of military equipment made specifically for the Airborne Forces. Over the years, samples of airborne equipment have been created:
- Tracked armored vehicles BTR-D and BMD;
- TPK and GAZ-66 cars;
- Self-propelled guns ASU-57, ASU-85.
In addition, complex systems were created for parachute landing of all of the listed equipment. Because new technology needed large transport aircraft for landing, new models of large-fuselage aircraft were created that could carry out parachute landing of armored vehicles and cars.
The USSR Airborne Forces were the first in the world to receive their own armored vehicles, which were developed specifically for them. At all major exercises, troops were dropped along with armored vehicles, which constantly amazed the representatives of foreign countries present at the exercises. The number of specialized transport aircraft capable of landing was so great that in just one sortie it was possible to land all the equipment and 75 percent of the personnel of an entire division.
In the fall of 1979 105 airborne division was disbanded. This division was trained to fight in the mountains and deserts, and was stationed in the Uzbek and Kyrgyz SSR. In the same year, Soviet troops were introduced into Afghanistan. Since the 105th division was disbanded, the 103rd division was sent in its place, whose personnel did not have the slightest idea or training for conducting combat operations in mountainous and desert areas. Numerous losses among the paratroopers showed what a huge mistake the command made by recklessly deciding to disband the 105th Airborne Division.
Airborne troops during the Afghan War
The following divisions and brigades of the Airborne Forces and airborne assault formations fought in the Afghan war:
- Airborne Division 103 (which was sent to Afghanistan to replace the disbanded 103rd Division);
- 56 OGRDSHBR (separate air assault brigade);
- Parachute Regiment;
- 2 DSB battalions, which were part of motorized rifle brigades.
Total in Afghan war About 20 percent of the paratroopers participated. Due to the unique terrain of Afghanistan, the use of parachute landing in mountainous areas was unjustified, so the delivery of paratroopers was carried out using the landing method. Remote mountainous areas were often inaccessible to armored vehicles, so the entire blow of the Afghan militants had to be taken by the personnel of the Airborne Forces units.
Despite the division of the Airborne Forces into air assault and airborne units, all units had to operate according to the same scheme, and it was necessary to fight in unfamiliar terrain, with an enemy for whom these mountains were their home.
About half of the airborne troops were dispersed among various outposts and control points of the country, which should have been handled by other parts of the army. Although this hampered the enemy's movements, it was unwise to misuse elite troops trained in a completely different style of combat. The paratroopers had to perform the functions of ordinary motorized rifle units.
The most major operation with the participation of Soviet landing units(after the operation of the Second World War) is considered the 5th Panjshir Operation, which was carried out from May to June 1982. During this operation, about 4,000 paratroopers of the 103rd Guards Airborne Division were landed from helicopters. In three days, Soviet troops (of which there were about 12,000, including paratroopers) almost completely established control over the Panjshir Gorge, although the losses were enormous.
Realizing that the special armored vehicles of the Airborne Forces were ineffective in Afghanistan, since most operations had to be carried out together with motorized rifle battalions, the BMD-1 and BTR-D began to be systematically replaced with standard equipment of motorized rifle units. Light armor and the low service life of lightweight equipment did not bring any advantages in the Afghan War. This replacement took place from 1982 to 1986. At the same time, the airborne units were reinforced with artillery and tank units.
Air assault formations, their differences from parachute units
Along with the parachute units, the air force also had air assault units, which were directly subordinate to the commanders of the military districts. Their differences consisted in the performance of various tasks, subordination and organizational structure. The uniform, weapons, and training of personnel were no different from parachute units.
The main reason for the creation of air assault formations in the second half of the 60s of the 20th century was the development of a new strategy and tactics for waging a full-scale war with the intended enemy.
This strategy was based on the use of massive landings behind enemy lines, with the aim of disorganizing the defense and causing panic in the enemy ranks. Since the army air fleet was equipped by this time with a sufficient number of transport helicopters, it became possible to conduct large-scale operations using large groups of paratroopers.
In the 1980s, 14 brigades, 2 regiments and 20 air assault battalions were stationed throughout the USSR. One DSB brigade was assigned to one military district. The main difference between the parachute and air assault units was the following:
- The parachute formations were 100 percent provided with specialized airborne equipment, while the air assault formations had only 25 percent of such armored vehicles. This can be explained by the various combat missions that these formations were supposed to carry out;
- Units of the parachute troops were subordinate only directly to the command of the Airborne Forces, in contrast to the air assault units, which were subordinate to the command of the military districts. This was done for greater mobility and efficiency in case of need for a sudden landing;
- The assigned tasks of these formations also differed significantly from each other. Airborne assault units were to be used for operations in the immediate rear of the enemy or in territory occupied by the enemy's front-line units, in order to cause panic and disrupt the enemy's plans with their actions, while the main parts of the army were to strike at him. The parachute units were intended to land deep behind enemy lines, and their landing had to be carried out non-stop. At the same time, the military training of both formations was practically no different, although the intended tasks of the parachute units were much more complex;
- The parachute units of the Airborne Forces have always been deployed at full strength and are 100 percent equipped with vehicles and armored vehicles. Many air assault brigades were understaffed and did not bear the title “Guards”. The only exceptions were three brigades, which were formed on the basis of parachute regiments and bore the name “Guards”.
The difference between regiments and brigades was the presence of only two battalions in a regiment. In addition, the composition of the regimental kit in the regiments was often reduced.
There are still ongoing debates about whether there were special forces units in the Soviet army, or this function performed by airborne troops. The fact is that in the USSR (as well as in modern Russia) there have never been separate special forces. Instead, there were special forces units of the GRU General Staff.
Although these units have existed since 1950, their existence remained secret until the late 80s. Since the uniform of special forces units was no different from the uniform of other units of the Airborne Forces, often not only ordinary people did not know about their existence, but even conscript soldiers learned about it only at the time of their recruitment.
Since the main tasks of special forces units were reconnaissance and sabotage activities, they were united with the Airborne Forces only by uniforms, airborne training of personnel and the ability to use special forces units for operations behind enemy lines.
Vasily Filippovich Margelov - “father” of the Airborne Forces
A huge role in the development of airborne troops, the development of the theory of their use and the development of weapons belongs to the commander of the Airborne Forces from 1954 to 1979, Vasily Filippovich Margelov. It is in his honor that the Airborne Forces are jokingly called “Uncle Vasya’s troops.” Margelov laid the foundation for positioning the airborne troops as highly mobile units with high firepower and covered with reliable armor. It was precisely this kind of troops that were supposed to deliver quick and unexpected attacks on the enemy in conditions nuclear war. At the same time, the task of the Airborne Forces in no case should have included long-term retention of captured objects or positions, since in this case the landing force would certainly be destroyed by regular units of the enemy army.
Under the influence of Margelov, special models of small arms were developed for airborne units, allowing them to fire effectively even during landing, special models of cars and armored vehicles, and the creation of new transport aircraft intended for landing and armored vehicles.
It was on Margelov’s initiative that the special symbols of the Airborne Forces were created, familiar to all modern Russians - the vest and blue beret, which are the pride of every paratrooper.
In the history of the airborne troops there are several interesting facts that few people know:
- Specialized airborne units, which were the predecessors of the Airborne Forces, appeared during the Second World War. At that time, no army in the world had such units. The airborne army was supposed to carry out operations behind German lines. Seeing that the Soviet command had created a fundamentally new type of military, the Anglo-American command also created its own airborne army in 1944. However, this army never saw action during World War II;
- During the Second World War, several tens of thousands of people who served in the airborne units received many orders and medals of various degrees, and 12 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union;
- After the end of the Second World War, the airborne troops of the USSR were the most numerous among similar units in the whole world. Moreover, according to official version, the airborne troops of the Russian Federation are the most numerous in the whole world, to this day;
- Soviet paratroopers were the only ones who managed to land in full combat gear at the North Pole, and this operation was carried out back in the late 40s;
- Only in the practice of Soviet paratroopers was landing from a height of many kilometers in combat vehicles.
Airborne Forces Day is the main holiday of the Russian airborne troops
August 2 is celebrated as the Day of the Russian Airborne Forces, or as it is also called – Airborne Forces Day. This holiday is celebrated on the basis of a decree of the President of the Russian Federation and is very popular among all paratroopers who served or are serving in the airborne troops. On Airborne Forces Day there are demonstrations, processions, concerts, sporting events and holiday celebrations.
Unfortunately, Airborne Forces Day is considered the most unpredictable and scandalous holiday in Russia. Often paratroopers organize riots, pogroms and fights. As a rule, these are people who have served in the army for a long time, but they want to diversify their civilian life, therefore, on the day of the airborne troops, the patrol units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are traditionally reinforced, which keep order in in public places cities of Russia. IN last years There has been a steady downward trend in the number of fights and pogroms on the day of the Airborne Forces. The paratroopers learn to celebrate their holiday in a civilized manner, because riots and pogroms disgrace the name of the defender of the Motherland.
Flag and emblem of the Airborne Forces
The flag of the airborne troops, along with the emblem, is a symbol of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation. The Airborne Forces emblem comes in three types:
- The small emblem of the Airborne Forces is a golden flaming grenade with wings;
- The middle emblem of the Airborne Forces is a double-headed eagle with open wings. In one paw he has a sword, and in the other - a grenade with wings. The eagle's chest is covered by a shield with the image of St. George the Victorious slaying a dragon;
- The large emblem of the Airborne Forces is a copy of the grenada on the small emblem, only it is located in a heraldic shield, which is bordered by a round wreath of oak leaves, while the upper part of the wreath is decorated with the emblem Armed Forces RF.
The flag of the Russian Airborne Forces was established on June 14, 2004 by order of the Ministry of Defense. The flag of the airborne troops is a rectangular blue panel. At its bottom there is a green stripe. The center of the airborne troops flag is decorated with an image of a golden parachute with a parachutist. There are airplanes on both sides of the parachute.
Despite all the difficulties I experienced Russian army in the 90s, it managed to preserve the glorious traditions of the Airborne Forces, the structure of which is currently an example for many armies of the world.
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.
August 2, 1930 during training Air Force(Air Force) of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, for the first time, a small unit of 12 people parachuted 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 a wide 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, a training airborne regiment(VDP), 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 hostilities as part of a limited contingent 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 on resolving interethnic conflicts on the territory of the USSR.
In 1992, the Airborne Forces ensured the evacuation of the Russian embassy from Kabul ( Democratic Republic 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 Forces units receive modern armored weapons and equipment (BMD-4, armored personnel carrier BTR-MD, KamAZ vehicles).
Since 2005, divisions of connections and military units The Airborne Forces take an active part 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 Airborne Forces adopted fighting machine BMD-4M "Sadovnitsa" landing force and BTR-MDM "Rakushka" armored personnel carrier. 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).
Airborne Forces Day, in addition to the well-known swimming in fountains, is, of course, not for this reason. This holiday, like the Russian airborne troops in general, has its own traditions.
“Blue Berets” are usually celebrated noisily, on a grand scale, and therefore the whole country knows about this day.
When is Airborne Forces Day?
If any of our fellow citizens are still wondering what date Airborne Forces Day is, then we are happy to announce: paratroopers celebrate their professional holiday every year at the same time at the beginning of the last month of summer - August 2. It is recorded in the state holiday calendar as Airborne Forces Day or Paratroopers Day. However, there is no official day off for workers. The goals of this event are very important and worthy - to increase the authority of both the Airborne Forces and the Russian Armed Forces as a whole.
How old are the Airborne Forces?
In 2018, Russia celebrates the 88th anniversary of the creation of this branch of the Russian Armed Forces. The memorable date itself comes from Soviet Union. In 1930, during the exercises of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, it was parachuted for the first time. airborne unit of 12 people to perform one of the tactical tasks. After this, the military leadership came to understand the need to introduce and use this type of troops. The first airborne units were formed within a year, and for 15 years they were part of the Air Force. From 1946, over the next 45 years, the “blue berets” belonged to the ground forces.
In modern Russia, it became a professional holiday after President Vladimir Putin signed a corresponding decree in 2006.
Photo source: Federal agency news/Evgenia Nechaeva
Uncle Vasya's troops
Of course, the abbreviation VDV means airborne troops. But few people know that it has another unofficial and very interesting interpretation - “Uncle Vasya’s Troops.” This is a reference to the Hero of the USSR Vasily Margelov, who led the airborne troops for 20 years. It was he who taught his charges to parachute in combat vehicles, and also introduced the famous vests and berets.
Airborne Forces Day 2018: program and traditions
According to tradition, the “winged landing” puts on blue tickets and vests on August 2 and meets with its comrades. In each city, paratroopers have their own special traditional meeting place. For example, in Moscow - this is Gorky Park, in St. Petersburg - Palace Square and Krestovsky Island, in Yekaterinburg - the square Soviet army at the monument to soldiers who died in the Afghan war, “Black Tulip”, etc.
The unofficial part of the holiday is singing songs with friends, drinking drinks and swimming in fountains. It’s difficult to say for sure now where this latest rather strange tradition came from. According to one of the “romantic” versions, paratroopers see a reflection of the sky in the water, to which they want to be closer. However, there are “blue berets” who are trying to destroy the existing stereotype and show that Airborne Forces Day is a completely different event, important and worthy.
The paratroopers holiday program in cities usually includes festive processions, concerts, ceremonial meetings and thematic exhibitions.
Photo source: Federal News Agency/Viktor Sukhorukov
Thus, in Moscow you will be able to see parades of paratroopers, demonstration performances, take part in hand-to-hand combat master classes, and visit thematic fairs and exhibitions. The concert program in Gorky Park will include performances by musical groups performing songs about the “blue berets” and military topics in general.
In St. Petersburg, at 10:00, flowers and wreaths will be laid on the graves of paratroopers at the Serafimovskoye and Smolenskoye cemeteries. At the same time, the processions will begin on Dvorovaya Square. At 12:00, a midday shot from the Peter and Paul Fortress will be dedicated to the Airborne Forces holiday, after which veteran paratroopers will visit the Eternal Flame monument on the Field of Mars. A theatrical military sports and concert program will await those celebrating the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg in the Park.
Contrary to prevailing stereotypes, Airborne Forces Day is a holiday that allows us to honor the service to the Motherland of representatives of this extremely important and necessary branch of the Russian Armed Forces.
