The story of one tragic landing
(to the question of the exercises of the 106th Airborne Division in Mongolia at the beginning of 1979)

In the history of the Soviet Airborne Forces, there were and still are many
studied questions. And, of course, there are reasons for that. One-
one of the poorly covered problems of the historiography of the Winged Guards
are the facts of the tragic death of Soviet paratroopers during training
ny in peacetime.
Such an almost unexplored page in the annals of the Soviet landing
that is the history of the teachings of the 106th (Tula) airborne division
zia on the Mongolian-Chinese border in February 1979, when
more than 40 airborne troops were crippled. This tragedy, hidden leadership
the property of the USSR from the Soviet people, could, obviously, not happen,
if the top leadership of these major exercises had refrained
from an ill-conceived order to land the guards on the Mongolian
land in completely unacceptable conditions for this.
This is our version of the story. The beginning of 1979 was marked
a new aggravation of Soviet-Chinese relations. This process,
caught by geopolitical and other factors, has become a progressive
after the death of the famous Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung in
1976, when the new Chinese political leadership led by Deng Xiao
Pinom began to revise some of the former principles of foreign
Chinese politics. The 11th Congress of the Communist Party of China proclaimed an openly anti-Soviet
well. Moreover, the Constitution of the People's Republic of China at the same time was introduced (according to
decisions of the XI Congress of the CPC) the most important amendment, in accordance with which
swarm of the USSR was proclaimed the first enemy of China. At the same time, the
the long-suffering Vietnam was proclaimed the home of China, recently
poor in the war with the American invaders. Vietnam, converted
which by that time had grown into a single social republic, strove
conduct independent foreign policy aimed at friendship
with countries socialist camp. The Vietnamese leadership also
begins to pursue a course of rapprochement with neighboring Laos, a small
country (3.4 million people), which chose socialism.
To the envious and malicious leaders of China, such a position
things were haunted, which eventually led to the war. February 17, 1979
China carried out aggression against Vietnam.

On the same day 12 China-
Russian divisions on a front of 1200 km invaded Vietnamese territory.
The Soviet Union, bound by allied obligations with friendly
military Vietnam, could not react indifferently to this event.
Already on February 19, the government newspaper Pravda published
vano statement of the leadership of the USSR. This statement stated,
“that China’s attack on Vietnam once again shows that
how irresponsibly Beijing treats the destinies of the world, with what
with criminal ease, the Chinese leadership uses weapons. The statement also spoke about the assurance of the USSR to fulfill
obligations assumed by the Soviet side under the treaty of friendship and cooperation
cooperation between the USSR and Vietnam.
What was practically backed up by the Soviet demarche?
According to the official version of Soviet historiography, the USSR
additional assistance to friendly Vietnam in the form of supplies,
providing military advisers, etc. In the second volume of "History
foreign policy of the USSR "(M., 1986) on this occasion it is said:"
at the same time Soviet Union measures have been taken to provide additional
additional assistance to Vietnam, supplying him with everything that was required
to repel the aggressor."
Already on February 19, 1979, a group of advisers (20 people), headed by
Army General G. Obaturov arrived in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
After assessing the situation on the ground and listening to the reports of the Vietnamese leadership,
of the General Staff, Soviet specialists convinced the Vietnamese leader
Le Duan to transfer an army corps from Kampuchea to Langshon
direction, as well as redeploy in the same direction
active division BM-21.
A group of different councils participated in repelling Chinese aggression.
sky specialists (pilots, signalmen, rocket men, etc.). Unfortunately not
there were no casualties among Soviet officers. In March 1979, under
Da Nang (a port in South Vietnam) crashed while landing
Vietnamese airliner AN-24, on board of which were Air Force General Malykh
and five instructor officers. They all died.
However, the USSR took another action to put pressure on China.
tai. To scare off an aggressive neighbor, it was decided to hold a
Mongolian-Chinese border demonstration military power, figuratively
rattling, rattling weapons and flexing muscles. Today there are few
knows that in Mongolia, a vassal state from the USSR at that time (since
1967) there was a group of thousands of Soviet troops in
becoming the 39th combined arms army stationed on the Mongolian land
le. It included several motorized rifle and tank divisions, on the-
subordinated to the Trans-Baikal Military District. At the beginning
1979, three divisions were transferred to Mongolia from Siberia and Zabai-
calla. In this situation, it was decided to use advanced
units of the 39th Army as a political club against the aggressor -
China. In February-March 1979, major combined-arms
high exercises in the military districts bordering China in Mongolia and
Far East. These unprecedented maneuvers involved
about 200 thousand people. Transferred from Ukraine and Belarus
military aviation. In the demonstration of forces, it was also decided to involve
and a whole formation of the Soviet Airborne Forces.
Logically, it was reasonable to involve in this demonstration
vat those units of the Airborne Forces that were stationed in the Far East. One-
However, the main forces of the Airborne Forces were located on the western borders of the USSR, and
also in Transcaucasia and in Central Asia. On the Far Eastern borders with
China, only the 11th separate airborne assault rifle stationed in Mogocha, near
Cheats. This one of the first ODSHBR was created in 1968 and was located
in operational subordination of the Trans-Baikal Military District. But this
brigade decided not to touch.
The choice of the top military leadership fell on the 106th Guards
Airborne Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd degree
division. Why was it decided to use this airborne unit?
The 106th (Tula) Airborne Division was rightfully considered one of the best formations
Winged Guard. It is no coincidence that this particular division participated
repeatedly in responsible and experimental exercises, as well as
performed high governmental tasks. Here are a few examples
ditch.
In 1957, the Tula paratroopers ensured the landing of the first
space projectiles with four-legged astronauts - dogs Bel-
ka, Strelka, Chernushka. And a few years later, the guards of the 106th Airborne Division
were honored to meet the landing site of cosmonaut Yuri
Gagarin.
At the end of the 50s. (already under V.F. Margelov) soldiers of the Tula division
The Airborne Forces participated in extreme climatic landing in
expanses of the Arctic. In the midst of the Margelov reforms of the Airborne Forces in the early 70s
x years. Tula paratroopers were among the first to master the new
sant armored vehicles BMD-1 and BTRD. The award was the pennant of the USSR Ministry of Defense
"For courage and military prowess." Tula division repeatedly
was also involved in extinguishing forest fires in the Moscow region and in the Central
tral Non-Chernozem.
The question arises: why exactly the 106th Airborne Division was decided to land
on the Mongolian-Chinese border? After all, this division was
stationed near Moscow and, obviously, was aimed at the European
sky theater of operations. Why didn’t they choose the airborne divisions, stationed
cited in Transcaucasia (104th Kirovobad Airborne Division) and Central Asia
(105th Ferghana Airborne Division)? These formations of the Winged Guards were trained
Cheny to fight in the conditions of mountainous desert terrain. Obviously,
the reasons are to be found in the political realm. At the beginning of 1979 in
Iran was restless. Iranian dissatisfaction with the Shah's despotism
regime threatened to turn into a revolutionary explosion, which happened
November 10-11, 1979 The monarchical regime in Iran was overthrown, and by
Muslim clergy led by Ayatollah R. Ha-
me. It was also restless in neighboring Afghanistan, where in April
In 1978, after overthrowing the Daoud regime, the PDPA communists came to power. IN
a civil war broke out in this then friendly country,
there was a threat of drawing the Soviet troops into the civil strife of the DRA.
Therefore, the 105th and 104th airborne divisions were on the alert.
The 106th Airborne Division, although it was considered a "forest" division, nevertheless
had experience in landing in a mountainous desert area. Back in 1966
The 137th Guards Airborne Regiment took part in a major
exercises in the territory of Transcaucasia and successfully landed on
mountainous ground. In 1978, the same 137th regiment, as part of an experiment,
santed to the mountain-desert territory.
So, the choice was made. The 106th Airborne Division was transferred to Mongolia.
From fragmentary sources, it is difficult to determine exactly what
whether the full strength of the Tula division went to the exercises in the distant
Mongolia.
The book "Airborne Troops of Russia" states: "In
1979, the division was alerted and a few days later received
la participation in exercises on the territory of Mongolia.
Armada of military transport aircraft with Tula paratroopers
and armored vehicles on board headed east. It was almost
an exemplary airborne campaign with a length of several
thousand kilometers. Landing liners flew to high altitude. For
refueling aviation fuel, several landings were made.
The exact location of the exercise cannot be determined by the researcher.
succeeded. It is only known that the landing took place in the desert
The Gobi is a few kilometers from the Mongolian-Chinese border. In our
disposal is a valuable memoir source that allows you to partially
reproduce the dramatic picture of what happened. This is a memory
Air Force officer (helicopter pilot) V.G. Domracheva, included in the collection -
nickname “Scorched by Afghan. Participants of the Afghan war tell.
In early 1979, this officer served in a squadron of transport helicopters.
years, providing transportation of goods throughout Mongolia, on the territory
in which many Soviet military units were stationed.
As it appears from the memoirs of V.G. Domrachev and some others
sources, the exercises were led by a group of high-ranking officials
ditch headed by the First Deputy Minister of Defense of the USSR
scrap by Sergei Leonidovich Sokolov, on whom she now depended
the fate of the landing, for it was this person who had to give the command
for landing in frosty and very windy weather.
V.G. Domrachev recalls: “A piercing wind was blowing. blades
helicopters waved like the wings of a bird. "If the wind does not calm down, then you-
there will be no landing," I thought.
Forty minutes later a messenger came to us from the head of the field.
Comrade and told us to get ready for the meeting of the main group of helicopters
comrade with the leadership of the exercises. We had to show those who were sitting down
helicopter landing sites.
Ten minutes later, the real pandemonium began -
one after another, helicopters flew up and landed with high-ranking officers
rank.
There were 10 helicopters in the village, but there was no Chief, and a place near the podium
remained free. The officers went to the podium, and immediately appeared
helicopter with Chief. When Marshal Sokolov appeared, the situation
revived, the officers ran, fussed. After short presentations
places on the podium were occupied, and one after another with an interval of one
a minute from the north began to appear landing aircraft IL-
76.
An on-board technician approached me and asked: “Commander, is it really in
such a wind will throw paratroopers?
“You shouldn’t,” I replied, “it’s murder!”
The movement of the generals began in the stands, Sokolov approached
commander of the Airborne Forces and reported that a strong wind and a drop should be carried out
it is impossible (highlighted by us - D.S.). He lowered his head, shook her and said
hall: "Let's make a trial landing - from one plane of people,
of the two - technology. No one objected, everyone silently watched
impending tragedy.
From the side of the leader of the ejection came the words: “The ejection
I allow!”
So the order came in. Military transport liners one by one
gim soared into the sky. In the wombs of the aircraft was the personnel of 137-
1st regiment of the 106th Airborne Forces with standard armored vehicles. At the forefront
divisional landing were soldiers of the regiment's reconnaissance company. In addition to the
vedchiks in one plane were BMD-1 drivers, and
also officers of the regiment. In the second IL-76 aircraft, there were three
bathroom "beemdashki".
The advance detachment of the Tula paratroopers, as already noted,
had to land with equipment in truly extreme conditions
conditions of the Mongolian winter. Who served in the Airborne Forces, perhaps, pre-
put what the guardsmen felt in those moments, some of whom
was, alas, destined to live the last minutes. The angel of sorrow was already waiting
the souls of warriors who were destined for a terrible death in the Mongolian
earth.
The landing has begun. At that moment, the wind force reached 40
meters per second - a crazy indicator for landing. Che-
a few minutes after the start of the drop, several paratroopers (according to
according to some reports, more than 10 people) crashed to death on the stone-
nechuyu desert firmament. Several dozen guards from the scary
contact with the ground were injured and maimed. crashed and
all three BMDs. The release of the main forces of the airborne regiment was immediately canceled
whether.
Here is how the death of the landing is described by the mentioned eyewitness: “Under one
two points appeared from the flying planes, under the following
two more, which in a few seconds grew into parachute domes
Comrade with technology.
The equipment thrown out with parachutes was rapidly approaching
to the ground, growing before our eyes. The people around were carried away by what was happening
shchim and did not notice how the next plane "fell down" landing
nicknames.
About two kilometers from the stands, an airborne technical equipment began to land.
ka. Brake systems where they worked, but somewhere they didn’t work. I
for the first time I saw how towers fly off the BMD when they hit the ground. "Good-
sho that there are no people there, ”someone said from behind. These words became
signal: everyone remembered that the paratroopers had also been thrown out. Again, don't
conspiring, they raised their heads and saw how the whole sky was dotted with
parachute floors.
The paratroopers courageously fought the wind, trying to land
as close as possible to the landing equipment, but, touching the ground, somehow
hung helplessly on the straps and, without rising to their feet, dragged
filled with the canopies of their parachutes through the desert.
At first, there was silence in the stands. Everyone understood that
going on, but no one could say a word.
Suddenly someone shouted in a loud voice: “Pilots, urgently launch
helicopters and collect the wounded." We rushed to the helicopters, launched
them and flew to the victims. I had to fly through the desert
further paratroopers, release from the cabin of the onboard technician and the right
pilot to extinguish parachutes and bring paratroopers into the cockpit
helicopter. Each helicopter had five or six casualties. Pe-
dust, blood, snow were mixed. Moans, screams. There were also the dead.
We transported them to the field hospital and flew off to carry out our
tasks. Later we learned that out of 108 paratroopers exactly half were injured.
guilt, but the exercises continued, the losses too.
Of course, the release of the main landing forces was canceled, thereby
the life and health of paratroopers from other units was saved
shelf. Landing aircraft already in the air, deployed
shish, began to return.
The exercises were completed, units and subunits of the 106th Airborne Division on
transport aviation returned to the "winter quarters". Warriors of the 137th
the regiment returned to Tula by railroad communications.

Is it possible to raise the question of personal responsibility then-
him the commander of the Airborne Forces, General D. Sukhorukov, for the tragic events
tiya in Mongolia at the beginning of 1979? The answer to this is, of course,
hard. Probably, the formulation of this question is fair and historically
appropriate. After all we are talking about the man who then commanded our
Winged Guard and could influence in one way or another on the described
my events. But D. Sukhorukov is not V.F. Margelov. Willpower and courage
The nature of these historical subjects is unequal. Of course, Sukhorukov and
as a commander, and as a veteran of the Airborne Forces, and as a person, mentally experienced
shaft for the tragedy that happened on the Mongolian-Chinese border. This and
clear. But it seems that he felt inside his being
guilt for the death of the paratroopers, although it was difficult for him to openly admit it
but. Therefore, it is no coincidence that in his memoirs (“Records of the Commander-
paratrooper") about the tragic landing D. Sukhorukov writes in passing:
“It was necessary to land on a bare stone, gray as cement,
desert. On the day of the landing, a strong wind arose. The first
the reconnaissance company went on the jump. It was a jump into hell.
The release of the main forces was cancelled. Aircraft located
already in the air, turned around and began to return to their airfields.
Soon the division was transported by aircraft of the military transport
aviation and partially by rail to places of permanent
dislocations.
The exercise showed the real possibility of military transport
aviation to carry out in a short time the transfer over long distances
airborne division in in full force with military equipment.
The paratroopers gained experience in preparing for landing on unfamiliar
airfields, but at the same time, some issues of rear
security and a number of others, on which decisions were later made"
.
And that's all. About the tragedy that occurred in this territory, about the death and
injuries of almost 50 paratroopers from the Tula division ex-commander
The Airborne Forces chose not to write.
Why? Perhaps because he felt a share of his guilt in
what's happened? Who knows…
What did he feel? Iron Man”, V.F. Margelov, when
became aware of what happened in Mongolia? It is clear that. Newly-
the retired inspector, of course, felt pain with all his heart and
Renne mourned the dead guardsmen. Undoubtedly, the "landing
Dad” then repeatedly asked the question: who gave, in fact, the criminal
ny order to start the landing?
Really, who? Available source materials, allowing
Unfortunately, there are no people at our disposal to answer the question. Logically
things, the decisive word, obviously, was with the person who commanded
gave then the teachings. And he was Marshal S.L. Sokolov, a long-time
parent V.F. Margelov. According to the mentioned memoirs
eyewitness, helicopter officer V.G. Domracheva, the order came from
Marshal S.L. Sokolov. Answer exactly the questions asked
the then commander of the 106th Airborne Division E.N. Podkolzin, but
his soul has long ago ascended to the pro patria.
Thus, 1979 turned out to be a landmark year for the fate of the Soviet
Airborne. Resigned from the post of commander of the Winged Guard V.F. Margelov,
the Margelov era also went into oblivion. And perhaps it is symbolic that this
the event was marked by the fact of the tragic landing of the Tula de-
santnikov in Mongolia. According to an ancient philosophical maxim, nothing
there are no accidents in our lives. Several months pass and
the same year in 1979 airborne history the era of the nine-year war will begin in
Afghanistan, in which our paratroopers will have to fight in
real with a daring enemy, to fight in Margelov's way, keeping reno-
me elite of the Soviet Army. 106th Airborne Division until the end of the 20th century. and to this day
maintained a reputation as an excellent airborne unit.
In this division, not only glorious traditions are preserved,
wives to the great V.F. Margelov, but modern
combat experience gained in local wars and conflicts.
It is believed, for example, that in the 80s, 70% of the officers and ensigns of Tul-
Russian division fought in Afghanistan.
A third of a century has passed since the tragedy occurred in February
1979 in Mongolia. The ashes of the dead soldiers have long decayed in zinc
coffins.
Marshal S.L. Sokolov, who became after Marshal D.S. Ustinova Mi-
nistrom of defense of the USSR, lived a long decent life. He died-
recently, in 2012, at the age of 102. Did he remember before leaving
to another world about the paratroopers who died and maimed on those unfortunate
teachings? God be his judge. Undoubtedly, future historians of the Airborne Forces more than once
will return to the coverage of the events in Mongolia. Let it go
they will be able to restore and publish the names and ranks of those soldiers
Winged Guards, who heroically carried out the order, in peacetime
time doomed some of them to death.
Tragic landing
(in blessed memory of the guardsmen of the 137th Airborne Regiment,
killed in exercises in Mongolia in February 1979)

In the jaws of death thrown landing
And the fate of the warriors came true;
Follows the karmic guarantor
To open the gates to Paradise for warriors.
* * *
The wind blew over the desert
Domes crack and tear,
And the marshal is intoxicated with pride,
He is silent, and God is his judge.
* * *
The frozen earth is hard as a stone,
Our landing force is beating against this firmament.
Death came for 10 fighters;
Oh, how many tears of relatives will shed.
* * *
Blood sprinkled the landing field,
Wounded fighters are dragged by domes.
And many in that nightmare are waiting for salvation;
Fate saved them from a cruel death.
* * *
Who is to blame for the landing tragedy?
That proud marshal who gave the order
Doom people to death? He is not worthy
To be understood, justified among us?

Russian paratroopers are revered not only in their own country. They are respected by the whole world. One famous saying American general that if he had a company of Russian paratroopers, he would have conquered the entire planet. Among the legendary formations of the Russian army is the 45th Airborne Regiment. He has interesting story, the central part of which is occupied by heroic deeds.

We are proud of our paratroopers, honor their courage, valor and readiness to defend the interests of the Motherland at any cost. Glorious Pages military history The USSR, and then Russia, appeared, largely due to the heroic deeds of paratroopers. Soldiers serving in the Airborne Forces fearlessly carried out the most difficult tasks and special operations. The airborne troops are among the most prestigious formations of the Russian army. Soldiers strive to get there, wanting to feel involved in creating the glorious military history of their country.

45th Airborne Regiment: key facts

The 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces was formed in early 1994. Its base was separate battalions number 218 and 901. By the middle of the year, the regiment was equipped with weapons and fighters. The 45th regiment began its first combat operation in December 1994 in Chechnya. The paratroopers participated in the battles until February 1995, and then returned to the Moscow region, to the base of their deployment on a permanent basis. In 2005, the regiment received battle banner guards regiment number 119

From the moment of its foundation, the military formation became known as the 45th reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces. But in early 2008, it was renamed the Special Forces Regiment. In August of the same year, it participated in a special operation to force Georgia to peace. In 2010, Regiment 45 tactical group ensured the safety of Russian citizens during the riots in Kyrgyzstan.

background

The basis for the formation of the 45th separate guards regiment was the 218th and 901st special forces battalions. The fighters of the first battalion had taken part in three combat operations by that time. In the summer of 1992, the battalion served in Transnistria, in September - in the territories where there was a conflict between Ossetian and Ingush combat groups, in December - in Abkhazia.

Since 1979, battalion number 901 has been part of the Soviet troops on the territory of Czechoslovakia, in 1989 it was redeployed to Latvia and transferred to the structure of the Baltic Military District. In 1991, the 901st Special Forces Battalion was relocated to the Abkhaz ASSR. In 1992, it was renamed the paratrooper battalion. In 1993, the formation performed tasks related to the protection of state and military facilities. In the fall of 1993, the battalion was redeployed to the Moscow region. Then the 45th regiment of the Russian Airborne Forces appeared.

Awards

In 1995, the 45th Airborne Regiment received the Diploma of the President of Russia for services to the country. In July 1997, the formation was awarded the banner of the airborne regiment number 5, which participated in the hostilities during the Great Patriotic War. In 2001, the regiment received Vympel from the Minister of Defense of Russia - for courage, high combat skills and real valor when participating in hostilities on the territory of Chechnya. The 45th Guards Regiment of the Airborne Forces owns the Order of Kutuzov - the corresponding decree was signed by the President of Russia. The military formation was awarded this award for the success in the heroic performance of military operations, the heroism and courage shown by the soldiers and the command. The regiment became the first carrier in the modern history of our country. In July 2009, the formation received the St. George banner.

The title of Hero of Russia was given to ten fighters, whose duty station was the 45th Airborne Regiment. The Order of Courage was awarded to 79 paratroopers. Ten military personnel of the regiment were awarded the medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" of the second degree. Seventeen and three paratroopers received the Orders "For Military Merit" and "For Merit to the Fatherland", respectively. Medals "For Courage" were received by 174 servicemen, the medal of Suvorov - 166. Seven people were awarded the Zhukov medal.

Anniversary

Kubinka near Moscow - the 45th Airborne Regiment is based there - in July 2014 was the place where the anniversary celebrations dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the formation took place. The event was held in the format open doors- the paratroopers showed their combat skills to the guests, the parachute units lowered the flag of the Airborne Forces from the sky, and the famous pilots from the Russian Knights team showed miracles of aerobatics on fighters.

The legendary regiment as part of the Airborne Forces

Which includes the 45th regiment - Airborne Forces (airborne troops) of Russia. Their history dates back to August 2, 1930. Then the first paratroopers of the Air Force of the Moscow District made a parachute landing in our country. It was a kind of experiment that showed military theorists how promising the landing of parachute units could be from the point of view of combat operations. The first official division of the air- landing troops The USSR appeared only the following year in the Leningrad Military District. The formation included 164 people, all of them were servicemen of the airborne assault detachment. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, there were five airborne corps in the USSR, each of which served 10,000 fighters.

Airborne Forces during the Great Patriotic War

With the outbreak of war, all Soviet airborne corps entered into battles taking place on the territory of the Ukrainian, Belarusian, Lithuanian Republics. The largest operation involving paratroopers during the war years is considered to be the battle with a group of Germans near Moscow in early 1942. Then 10 thousand paratroopers won the most important victory for the front. Parts of the Airborne Forces were connected to the battles near Stalingrad.

The paratroopers of the Soviet army honorably fulfilled their duty to defend the city. The Airborne Forces of the USSR army also took part in the battles after the defeat of Nazi Germany - in August 1945 they fought in the Far East against the imperial armed forces of Japan. Over 4,000 paratroopers helped the Soviet troops win important victories in this sector of the front.

After the war

Particular attention, according to the observation of military analysts, in the post-war strategy for the development of the USSR Airborne Forces was given to organizing military operations behind enemy lines, increasing the combat capability of soldiers, and interacting with army units, subject to the possible use of atomic weapons. The troops began to be equipped with new aircraft of the AN-12 and AN-22 type, which, thanks to their large carrying capacity, could deliver vehicles, armored vehicles, artillery and other means of warfare behind enemy lines.

Every year, an increasing number of military exercises were conducted with the participation of airborne soldiers. Among the largest - held in the spring of 1970 in the Byelorussian ASSR. As part of the Dvina exercises, more than 7 thousand soldiers and more than 150 guns were parachuted. In 1971, exercises "South" of a comparable scale took place. In the late 1970s, the use of new Il-76 aircraft in landing operations was first tested. Until the collapse of the USSR, the soldiers of the Airborne Forces at each of the exercises repeatedly showed the highest combat skills.

Airborne troops of the Russian Federation today

Now the Airborne Forces are considered a structure that is called upon to independently (or as part of it) perform combat missions in conflicts of various scales - from local to global. About 95% of the Airborne Forces are in a state of constant combat readiness. Landing forces are considered one of the most mobile branches of the Russian military. are also called upon to perform the functions of conducting combat operations behind enemy lines.

As part of the Russian Airborne Forces - four divisions, own The educational center, institute, and a large number of structures that perform work on provision, supply and maintenance.

The motto of the Russian Airborne Forces is "No one but us!" The service of a paratrooper is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious and at the same time difficult. As of 2010, 4,000 officers, 7,000 contract soldiers, and 24,000 conscripts served in the Airborne Forces. Another 28,000 are civilian personnel of the formation.

Paratroopers and operation in Afghanistan

The largest participation of the Airborne Forces in hostilities after the Great Patriotic War took place in Afghanistan. The 103rd division, the 345th airborne regiment, two battalions participated in the battles, motorized rifle brigades. A number of military analysts believe that the specifics of the conduct of hostilities in Afghanistan did not imply the expediency of using parachute landing as a method of transferring army combat personnel. This, according to analysts, is due to the country's mountainous terrain, as well as the high level of costs for such operations. The personnel of the Airborne Forces, as a rule, were transferred using helicopters.

The largest operation of the USSR Airborne Forces in Afghanistan was the Battle of Panjer in 1982. More than 4 thousand paratroopers took part in it (with total number soldiers involved in the operation, 12 thousand people). as a result of the fighting, she was able to take the main part of the Panjer Gorge under her control.

Combat operations of the Airborne Forces after the collapse of the USSR

The paratroopers, despite the difficult times that came after the collapse of the superpower, continued to defend the interests of their country. They were often peacekeepers in the territories of the former Soviet republics. Russian paratroopers made themselves known to the whole world during the conflict in Yugoslavia in 1999. Soldiers of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation made the famous throw at Pristina, having managed to get ahead of the military from NATO.

Throw on Pristina

On the night of June 11-12, 1999, Russian paratroopers appeared on the territory of Yugoslavia, starting from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. They managed to occupy an airfield located near the city of Pristina. There, a few hours later, NATO soldiers appeared. Some details of those events are known. In particular, US Army General Clark ordered his colleague from the British armed forces to prevent the Russians from seizing the airfield. He replied that he did not want to provoke a third world war. However, the main part of the information on the essence of the operation in Pristina is not available - it is all classified.

Russian paratroopers in Chechnya

Troops of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation took part in both Chechen wars. Regarding the first - most of the data is still secret. It is known, for example, that among the most famous operations of the second campaign with participation of the Airborne Forces- Battle of Argun. The Russian army received the task of blocking a strategically significant section of the transport highways passing through the Argun Gorge. According to him, the separatists received food, weapons and medicines. The paratroopers joined the operation in December as part of the 56th Airborne Regiment.

Known heroic deed paratroopers participating in the battles for 776 heights near the Chechen Ulus-Kert. In February 2000, the 6th company of the Airborne Forces from Pskov entered the battle with the grouping of Khattab and Basaev, ten times larger in number. During the day, the militants were blocked inside the Argun Gorge. Performing the task, the soldiers of the Pskov company of the Airborne Forces did not spare themselves. Only 6 soldiers survived.

Russian paratroopers and the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict

In the 1990s, units of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation performed in the territories where the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict took place, mainly peacekeeping functions. But in 2008, the paratroopers participated in combat operations. When the Georgian army attacked South Ossetia, units were sent to the war area Russian army, including the 76th division of the Russian Airborne Forces from Pskov. According to a number of military analysts, there were no major amphibious landings in this special operation. However, according to experts, the participation of Russian paratroopers had a psychological effect - primarily on the political leadership of Georgia.

45th regiment: renaming

IN Lately there is information that the 45th Airborne Regiment can receive the honorary name of the Preobrazhensky regiment. A military formation with this name was founded by Peter the Great and became legendary. There is a version that the initiative regarding the fact that the 45th regiment of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation should be renamed comes from a statement by the President of Russia, who expressed the opinion that formations named after famous regiments, such as Semenovsky, Preobrazhensky, should appear in the Russian army. At one of the military councils of the Russian Airborne Forces, as indicated in some sources, the proposal of the President was considered, and as a result, responsible persons were instructed to prepare information on the start of work on the creation of historical army regiments. It is quite possible that the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation will receive the title of Preobrazhensky.

The place of deployment of the 217th Guards Airborne Order of the Kutuzov Regiment, or military unit 62295 is the city of Ivanovo, Ivanovo Region. The formation is part of the 98th Guards Airborne Division. The regiment, in turn, consists of three battalions: the 1st battalion is a combat battalion, the 2nd battalion is a rapid response, staffed by contract servicemen, the 3rd battalion is a drill battalion.

Chevron of the 217th RAP Airborne Forces

History

The regiment was formed in October 1948, at that time it was part of the 37th Corps of the 13th Airborne Division. He received the battle flag in February 1948. He was awarded the Order of Kutuzov at the end of February 1986. He took part in many military tactical exercises, for which he was awarded commendations. Among them: landing on Sakhalin Island (1965), "South-7" and "Desna-7" (1969), "Shield-82".
The unit also carried out a number of government tasks in the territory of Azerbaijan. After the collapse of the USSR, part of the formation went to the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the rest left for the city of Ivanovo.

The territory of the military unit

eyewitness impressions

For the first 3 months, recruits take the course of a young fighter. During the KMB, mobile phones can only be used on weekends. Parcels are picked up not at the city post office, but at the post office of the unit, the fighters also do not go to the store. After completing the course of a young fighter, employees of such a unit as Military Unit 62295 take the oath.
The event is held on the parade ground of the unit, on Saturday. The date and time of the solemn acceptance of the oath by the military shall be announced by telephone. After the oath, leave is allowed on the security of the passport of the parents or wife. The dismissal is provided with an overnight stay, but on Sunday morning (at 6.00) the soldier must check in at the checkpoint.
During the rest of the service, you can see a soldier of military unit 62295 at the checkpoint (on Saturday - 1 hour 30 minutes in the afternoon), or he will be released on dismissal on Sunday.
The servicemen live in well-maintained Kubrick barracks. There is a shower room and a bathroom for two cubicles. The barracks has a recreation room, a room for ironing and drying clothes, as well as a sports corner. Bathing day, as well as park and economic - on Saturdays. The bath is located on the territory of the unit.

Training base of fighters

The food, according to reviews, is delicious. Soldiers and officers eat in the dining room. There is also a chip on the territory of the unit, soldiers can visit it accompanied by contract soldiers.
Field exercises are held twice a year, not far from Kostroma. Besides locality, soldiers of military unit 62295 can be sent to Luga, Yeysk or near Yaroslavl. The employees of the 3rd battalion last the least time for field exercises (approximately 1-2 weeks of field exercises).
Soldiers can use mobile phones every day, in the evening. It is forbidden to use telephones in the hospital and in the medical unit, they are given out on weekends. It is reported that it is problematic to get through to MTS numbers when a soldier is in the hospital.
Military unit 62295 pays monetary allowances to servicemen on the VTB-24 card. There are no ATMs of this bank on the territory; an ATM of the Moscow Industrial Bank is installed at the checkpoint. For withdrawing money from the card, a commission of 100 rubles is charged. For each jump, the paratroopers receive cash surcharges, if there is a complication factor for the jump, the payments increase.

Parachute stowage exercises

Contract soldiers have a slightly higher salary and jump payouts than conscripts. In order to serve in the 217th Airborne Regiment, the applicant must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 35;
• Have medical certificate on the state of health of the form not lower than A-1;
• Have an appropriate education (not lower than complete secondary);
• Pass physical and psychological testing.

Candidates whose relatives have been convicted are not accepted for contract service. List required documents You should check with your local military office.

Information for mom

Part address

Russian airborne troops are designed to perform various combat missions behind enemy lines, destroy combat points, cover various parts and many other tasks. Airborne divisions in peacetime 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 appearance of the airborne troops of Russia

The history of the Airborne Forces began in the late 1930s. It was then, on the basis of the 11th Infantry Division, that a detachment of a fundamentally new type was created - an airborne landing squadron. This detachment was the prototype of the first Soviet landing unit. In 1932, this detachment became known as the aviation brigade. special purpose. With this name, the units of the Airborne Forces existed until 1938, in which they were renamed the 201st Airborne Brigade.

The first use of landing in the USSR in a combat operation took place in 1929 (after which it was decided 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 number of the enemy, I act decisively and boldly, the Red Army completely defeated the gang.

Many argue whether this operation should be considered a full-fledged landing, since a detachment of Red Army soldiers was landed after the plane landed, and did not parachute. One way or another, the day of the Airborne Forces is not dedicated to this date, but is celebrated in honor of the first full-fledged landing of the group near the Klochkovo farm 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 find out the scope and purpose of the airborne troops. This freelance detachment consisted of 164 members of the personnel and included:

• One rifle company;
• Several separate platoons (communications, sapper and light vehicles 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 the pre-war period, the landing troops were used by the high command to strike at the rear of the enemy, 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, during the maneuvers, a total of 2,500 people were landed along with military equipment. The following year, the number of paratroopers was more than tripled, which made a huge impression on the military delegations of foreign states that were invited to the maneuvers.

The first real battle involving Soviet paratroopers took place in 1939. Although this incident Soviet historians described as an ordinary military conflict, Japanese historians consider it a real local war. The 212 Airborne Brigade participated in the battles for Khalkhin Gol. Since the use of a fundamentally new paratrooper tactic turned out to be a complete surprise for the Japanese, the airborne troops 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. In each corps there were 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 troops (the first commander of the Airborne Forces was Lieutenant General Glazunov, who remained in this position until 1943). After that, they were formed:

• 10 Airborne Corps;
• 5 maneuverable airborne brigades of the Airborne Forces;
• Spare regiments of the Airborne Forces;
• Airborne School.

Before the start of the Second World War, the airborne troops were an independent branch of the armed forces that were capable of solving a wide range of tasks.

The regiments of the Airborne Forces were widely involved in the counteroffensive, as well as various military operations, including assistance and support for other types of troops. Throughout the years of the Great Patriotic War, the Airborne Forces proved their effectiveness.

In 1944, the Airborne Forces were reorganized into the Guards Airborne Army. She became part of the long-range aviation. On December 18 of the same year, this army was renamed the 9th Guards Army, it included all brigades, divisions and regiments of the Airborne Forces. At the same time, a separate department of the Airborne Forces 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 a reserve type of troops of the Supreme Commander.

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 divisions of the Airborne Forces participated 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 models 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;
• Cars TPK and GAZ-66;
• Self-propelled guns ASU-57, ASU-85.

In addition, they created the most complex systems for parachute landing of all the listed equipment. Since the new technology needed large transport aircraft for landing, new models of large-body aircraft were created that could carry out parachute landing of armored vehicles and vehicles.

The airborne troops of the USSR were the first in the world to receive their own armored vehicles, which were developed specifically for them. At all major exercises, troops were airdropped along with armored vehicles, which constantly amazed the representatives of foreign states 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 autumn 1979 105 airborne division was disbanded. This division was trained to fight in the mountains and deserts, and was deployed in the Uzbek and Kirghiz SSR. In the same year, Soviet troops were introduced into the territory of Afghanistan. Since the 105th division was disbanded, the 103rd division was sent instead, the personnel of which did not have the slightest idea and training for combat operations in mountainous and desert regions. Numerous losses among the paratroopers showed what a huge mistake the command made, recklessly deciding to disband the 105th Airborne Division.

Airborne troops during the Afghan war

The following divisions and brigades of the Airborne Forces and air assault formations went through the Afghan war:

• Airborne Division 103 (which was sent to Afghanistan to replace the disbanded 103 Division);
• 56 OGRDSHBR (separate airborne assault brigade);
• Parachute Regiment;
• 2 battalions of the DSHB, which were part of the motorized rifle brigades.

In total, about 20 percent of the paratroopers participated in the Afghan war. Due to the peculiarity of the relief of Afghanistan, the use of parachute landing in the highlands was unjustified, so the delivery of paratroopers was carried out using the landing method. Deaf mountainous areas were often inaccessible to armored vehicles, so the entire blow of the Afghan militants had to be taken on by the personnel of the Airborne Forces.

Despite the division of the Airborne Forces into airborne assault and airborne units, all units had to act according to the same scheme, and it was necessary to fight in an unfamiliar area, 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 other parts of the army were supposed to do. Although this hindered the movement of the enemy, it was unwise to misuse elite troops trained in a completely different manner of combat. The paratroopers had to perform the functions of ordinary motorized rifle units.

The largest operation involving Soviet airborne 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 huge.

Realizing that the special armored vehicles of the Airborne Forces are ineffective in Afghanistan, since most of the operations had to be carried out together with motorized rifle battalions, BMD-1 and BTR-D began to be systematically replaced with standard equipment of motorized rifle units. Light armor and a low resource of light vehicles did not bring any advantages in the Afghan war. This replacement took place from 1982 to 1986. At the same time, the landing units were reinforced with artillery and tank units.

Airborne assault formations, their differences from paratrooper units

Along with the parachute units, the air forces also had air assault units, which were directly subordinate to the commanders of the military districts. Their difference was in the performance of various tasks, subordination and organizational structure. The uniform, armament, training of personnel did not differ in any way from paratrooper formations.

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 a prospective 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 ranks of the enemy. Since the army fleet was equipped by this time with a sufficient number of transport helicopters, it became possible to carry out large-scale operations using large groups of paratroopers.

In the 1980s, 14 brigades, 2 regiments and 20 battalions of air assault battalions were deployed throughout the USSR. One DShB brigade accounted for one military district. The main difference between the parachute and air assault units was as follows:

• The parachute formations were provided with specialized airborne equipment by 100 percent, and the air assault formations had only 25 percent of the staffing of such armored vehicles. This can be explained by the various combat missions that these formations were supposed to perform;
• Parts 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 the event of a need for a sudden landing;
• The tasks of these formations also differed significantly from each other. The air assault units were to be used for operations in the immediate rear of the enemy or in the territory occupied by the front-line units of the enemy, in order to cause panic and disrupt the plans of the enemy by their actions, while the main parts of the army were to hit him. Parachute units were intended for landing deep behind enemy lines, and their landing was 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 paratrooper units were much more difficult;
• The parachute units of the Airborne Forces have always been deployed to the full state and equipped with cars and armored vehicles by 100 percent. Many air assault brigades were incomplete and did not bear the title of "Guards". The only exceptions were three brigades, which were formed on the basis of parachute regiments and were called "Guards".

The difference between regiments and brigades was that there were only two battalions in the regiment. In addition, the composition of the regimental kit in the regiments was often reduced.

Until now, disputes have not subsided about whether there were special forces in the Soviet army, or whether this function was performed by the Airborne Forces. The fact is that in the USSR (as in modern Russia) there have never been separate special forces. Instead, they were part of the special purpose GRU of the General Staff.

Although these units have existed since 1950, their existence remained a secret until the late 80s. Since the uniform of the special forces units did not differ in any way from the uniform of other parts of the Airborne Forces, often not only the inhabitants did not know about their existence, but even conscripts found out about it only at the time they were accepted into the personnel.

Since the main tasks of the special forces were reconnaissance and sabotage activities, they were united with the Airborne Forces only by uniforms, airborne training of personnel and the possibility of using special forces for operations behind enemy lines.

Vasily Filippovich Margelov - "father" of the Airborne Forces

A huge role in the development of the 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 the positioning of the airborne troops as highly mobile units with high firepower and protected by reliable armor. It was this kind of troops that were supposed to inflict quick and unexpected strikes on the enemy in conditions nuclear war. At the same time, the task of the Airborne Forces in no case should have been to hold the captured objects or positions for a long time, since in this case the landing force would certainly be destroyed by the regular units of the enemy army.

Under the influence of Margelov, special samples of small arms were developed for the Airborne Forces units, allowing them to effectively fire even at the time of landing, special models of cars and armored vehicles, and the creation of new transport aircraft designed for landing and armored vehicles.

It was on the initiative of Margelov that a special symbolism of the Airborne Forces was created, familiar to all modern Russians - a vest and a blue beret, which are the pride of every paratrooper.

In the history of the airborne troops, there are several interesting facts few know:

• Specialized landing units, which were the predecessors of the Airborne Forces, appeared during the Second World War. At that time, no other army in the world had such units. The airborne army was supposed to carry out operations in the German rear. Seeing that the Soviet command created a fundamentally new branch of the military, the Anglo-American command also created its own airborne army in 1944. However, this army never managed to take part in the hostilities during the Second World War;
• 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 such units in the whole world. Moreover, according to the official version, the airborne troops of the Russian Federation are the most numerous in the whole world, to this day;
• Soviet paratroopers are 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 many kilometers in combat vehicles.

Airborne Forces Day - the main holiday of the airborne troops of Russia

August 2 is the day of the airborne troops of Russia, or as it is also called - the day of the Airborne Forces. 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 have served or are serving in the airborne troops. On the day of the Airborne Forces, demonstrations, processions, concerts, sporting events and festivities are held.

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, patrol units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are traditionally strengthened, which keep order in public places in Russian cities. In recent 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 way, because riots and pogroms dishonor the name of the defender of the Motherland.

Flag and emblem of the airborne troops

The flag of the airborne troops, along with the emblem, is a symbol of the Airborne Forces Russian Federation. The emblem of the Airborne Forces is of three types:

• The small emblem of the Airborne Forces is a golden fiery 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 grenada with wings. The chest of the eagle covers the shield, with the image of George the Victorious, slaying the dragon;
• The large emblem of the Airborne Forces is a copy of grenada on the small emblem, only it is in the heraldic shield, which is bordered by a round wreath of oak leaves, while upper part The wreath is decorated with the emblem of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The flag of the airborne troops of the Russian Federation was established on June 14, 2004 by order of the Ministry of Defense. The flag of the airborne troops is a rectangular blue panel. There is a green stripe at the bottom of it. The center of the flag of the airborne troops is decorated with the image of a golden parachute with a paratrooper. On both sides of the parachute are airplanes.

Despite all the difficulties that the Russian army experienced in the 90s, it managed to maintain the glorious traditions of the Airborne Forces, the structure of which today is an example for many armies in the world.

Probably every adult man and most women in the country are well aware that the 345th (Airborne) regiment is legendary. Fame became widespread after the release of the cult feature film by F. Bondarchuk "9th Company", which poignantly told about the battle near Khost, where the 9th Airborne Company of this regiment heroically died.

Start

The regiment was finally formed on New Year's Day, the thirtieth of December, when before Great Victory there was still almost six months left. Forty-fourth, the town of Lapichi near Mogilev in Belarus, liberated and tormented by the Nazis. It was from here that Regiment 345 (Airborne Forces) went on the paths of war. The regiment was originally a rifle regiment - based on the Fourteenth Guards Airborne Brigade.

The final renaming took place in June 1946. From July of the same year until 1960, the 345th (VDV) regiment was stationed in Kostroma, after, until December 1979, in Ferghana, joining the 105th Guards Airborne Division.

Continuation

Already in 1946, the regimental banner carried with honor Until the end of the victorious year, the regiment guarded the peace of Hungary. For the high level of military training, the Minister of Defense of the USSR awarded Regiment 345 (VDV) with a pennant "For Courage and Military Valor". The regiment practically did not see this world, constantly being in the hottest spots of the country and the planet.

In total, from 1979 to 1998, the regiment, without interruption for a single day, participated in various armed conflicts and wars, and so eighteen years and five months passed. Then, on December 14, 1979, no one knew about it yet. With the status of "separate", the 345th airborne regiment, Bagram, also receives a new assignment.

Afghanistan

Soviet troops had not yet entered this neighboring country, and the second battalion was already helping the 111th Guards Airborne Regiment to guard the Bagram airfield. Our military transport helicopters and planes were based there. The ninth company in the amount of eighty people at the end of December 1979 had already stormed Amin's palace (as part of the Fortieth Army). In 1980, unparalleled heroism and courage earned another award - the Order of the Red Banner.

Retrofitting

In the spring of 1982, new equipment came to 3 Bagram. Afghanistan did not win back until our troops left the country. In 2002, the Americans began to use the airfield built by the powerful Soviet efforts and our largest military base.

The new landing equipment of the early eighties was more adapted to partisan operations in the mountains. BMD landing) did not interfere with fragments of mines, and regular BTR-70 and BMP-2 well protected the airborne soldiers sitting inside. The 345th Airborne Regiment in Afghanistan was pleased with the new equipment, despite the fact that they loved the old car very much - powerful, maneuverable and fast.

no longer parachute

The staff structure of the unit also changed for the better: the regimental weapons received an effective means of firepower - a howitzer division (D-30) and a tank company (T-62). It was practically impossible to land with parachutes here - the mountainous terrain was too difficult, therefore, as unnecessary, landing support in the form of airborne service units was removed.

The enemy did not have aviation and armored vehicles, therefore, both the anti-aircraft missile and anti-tank batteries went where they were needed: to cover the columns on the marches from Bagram and to Bagram. The 345th Airborne Regiment thus became more like a motorized rifle regiment.

Revisiting the album

Assignments during the fighting in Afghanistan were the most different character: the soldiers guarded the roads and directly the motorcades on the way, cleared the mountainous areas, set up ambushes, went on raids, both individually and in support of the "Commandos" and "KHAD", helped the government police units ... What can be seen in the photo albums those years? Here in the photo - 345 Airborne Regiment. Kunduz. The fighters smile, seemingly serenely, but their weapons, if not in their hands, then close, close...

Looking at the photographs, you understand how much dangerous work, requiring the utmost professionalism, was carried out by the fighters. Here is another page. Again 345 Airborne Regiment. Bagram (Afghanistan). The photo does not convey even the smallest fraction of the dangers that fighters lay in wait every minute for a long and bloody nine years. Nine years of daily losses. It's good that the 345th Airborne Regiment managed to take photos and managed to save them. Amazing inner composure in poses, at first glance, calm, even relaxed. Years later, many want to figure out why the victory did not come. Such strong people in the photographs. Confident and very, very beautiful. And high, dizzying mountains around.

Work

Any military operation in the highlands has a fifty-fifty chance of success. A frontal offensive is possible only in certain areas. Artillery, no matter how ironed the nearby mountains, rarely justifies the effort. It is necessary to radically change both tactics and forms of maneuver. The main thing is to capture all the dominant heights. For this, there is a helicopter landing where the “bypassing” detachments help little, which most often do not reach the goal, because sheer cliffs stand in their way, then insurmountable gorges gape.

Detours and paths are long and dangerous to look for. Alpinist units would have helped, but there were none in the 345th Airborne Regiment. they checked the Soviet paratroopers in all respects: endurance, psychological stability, strength, endurance, mutual assistance - everything turned out to be in place. At altitudes of 3-4 thousand meters, reconnaissance was carried out for 2-3 weeks, on foot, with a load of 40 kilograms on each back, with a complete ambiguity of the situation. When you don't know when and where to expect an attack. For a week in the mountains, paratroopers lost up to 10 kilograms of their own weight.

Whose war is this?

In April 1978, Afghanistan was shaken by a revolution that brought the PDPA party to power, which immediately proclaimed socialism in the Soviet version. The US, of course, did not like it. Mohammad Taraki was elected the leader of the country, and his comrade-in-arms, even the closest one, who graduated from a university in the United States, became the prime minister. Taraki asked L. Brezhnev to send troops. But General Secretary The CPSU was a kind man, but fearful. He refused.

Probably, one should have been bolder in defending one's interests on adjacent territories. The experience was acquired - heavy and terrible. By order of Amin, Taraki, who was a great friend of Brezhnev, was first arrested, then strangled. By the way, immediately after he was arrested, the USSR Secretary General personally asked Amin to save Taraki's life. But Amin had already enlisted the support of the United States by that time and was not going to follow the lead of his closest neighbor.

chagrin

Brezhnev was upset to the core. Therefore, on December 12, 1979, at a meeting of the Politburo, the question of the situation in Afghanistan was raised. The decision to use Soviet armed forces supported by Gromyko, Ustinov and Andropov. Agarkov and Kosygin opposed. By a majority of votes, the start of the war was laid.

Here, as if in parentheses, that is, in a whisper, it must be admitted that since July 1979, troops have been quietly transferred to Afghanistan: KGB special forces and the Airborne Forces, for example, including the Alpha, Zenit, Thunder units .. And even the "Muslim Battalion" began to explore Afghanistan by autumn.

The 345th Airborne Regiment was sent there as one of the first landing units. And on December 25, 1979, the troops of the USSR had already openly crossed the state border into Afghanistan. Literally two days later, Amin's residence was stormed, and he himself was killed. In these battles, the regiment suffered its first losses. Eight guardsmen of the 345th Airborne Regiment will never hug their relatives again. These losses were not the last ...

Sanctions

Like the Olympics in our country, so the war in the neighborhood is traditional. As early as January 2, 1980, the US began sanctions over the war in Afghanistan. One of them was the refusal to participate in the Olympics-80. One hundred and four member states of the UN supported the sanctions. Only eighteen - no.

And in Afghanistan, a leader loyal to the USSR appeared - the United States, of course, did not leave it like that. Already in February, uprisings against the PDPA broke out one after another in Afghanistan. Money (and more often promises) plus a crazy herd - that's the uprising ready. And then the massacre began. Bloody nine years and two months. Only on February 11, 1989, the 345th (VDV) regiment left Afghanistan.

Phoenix rising from the ashes

On April 13, 1998, by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation 345 (VDV), the regiment was disbanded. The combat banner and awards are stored in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces. Copies transferred Nowhere and never dropped the honor Soviet army who followed all martial traditions and faithfully, regardless of life and death, performing all combat missions, covered with glory, the 345th Airborne Regiment was disbanded, not even allowing it to set foot on native land. Sixty-four kilometers remained to Russia.

The memory will never fade. In many cities, veterans of the Airborne Forces have created organizations to prevent this from happening. Honor the 345th Airborne Regiment Novosibirsk, Ryazan, Moscow, many cities of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, all territories of the former Soviet Union.

More recently, V. Shamanov confirmed that the airborne troops will receive a newly formed separate assault brigade, numbered 345 - in honor of the legendary parachute regiment, which has more than seventy years of history. The formation will end in 2016 in Voronezh.