76th Guards Airborne Assault Division - full name - 76th Guards Chernigov Red Banner Airborne Assault Division (76th Guards Airborne Assault Division, until March 1, 1943 157th Rifle Division) was formed on September 1, 1939.
Since 1947, it has been stationed in Pskov, one of the airborne assault regiments is located in the suburban village of Cheryokha.
History 1939-1947 - dopskovskaya
- The 157th Rifle Division was deployed on the basis of the 221st Black Sea Rifle Regiment of the 74th Taman Rifle Division, created in 1925 on the basis of the 22nd Krasnodar Rifle Division. To the beginning of the Great Patriotic War The division was part of the troops of the North Caucasian Military District and, with the outbreak of hostilities, received the task of preparing a defensive line along the Black Sea coast.
- The division's first baptism of fire took place during the defense of Odessa. On September 22, 1941, units and subunits of the division replaced the defenders and at dawn went on the offensive, during which the division captured the Ilyichovka state farm and the village of Gildendorf. For courage and courage, the commander of the Odessa defensive region announced gratitude to the personnel of the formation.
- On October 6, 1941, division units were redeployed to the Crimea (Sevastopol).
- On November 20, 1941, the division was redeployed to Novorossiysk to participate in the Feodosia landing operation - the first strategic joint offensive operation Soviet ground forces (Transcaucasian Front) and naval forces (Black Sea Fleet) in the coastal direction. As a result of 9 days of hostilities, the Kerch Peninsula was cleared of the enemy and great support was provided to the besieged Sevastopol.
- From 25 to 30 July 1942, the division led fighting to destroy the Germans who crossed to the left bank of the Don. For successful military operations and the liberation of the village of Krasnoyarskaya, the commander of the North Caucasian Front Marshal Soviet Union Budyonny announced gratitude to the personnel.
- In the first half of August 1942, the division withdrew to the northern bank of the Aksai River, where its units conducted continuous defensive battles. In these battles, machine gunner Private Afanasy Yermakov distinguished himself, who was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union by the first of the division (by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on November 5, 1942). From September 1942, the division as part of the 64th Army took up defensive positions at the Gornaya Polyana-Elkhi line.
- On January 10, 1943, the division, as part of the troops of the Stalingrad Front, took part in the final part Battle of Stalingrad, Operation "Ring", in order to destroy the surrounded enemy. In the battles near Stalingrad, division units destroyed more than 10 thousand enemy soldiers and officers and more than 10 thousand were taken prisoner. By order of the NPO of the USSR dated March 1, 1943 No. 107, the 157th Rifle Division for the courage and heroism of the personnel shown during the Battle of Stalingrad was transformed into the 76th Guards Rifle Division.
- Until July 3, 1943, units and divisions of the division were part of the Bryansk Front near the town of Belev, Tula Region.
- The division took part in Battle of Kursk on the northern face of the Kursk salient. On July 12, units and subunits of the division as part of the offensive against the 2nd Panzer and 9th Armies German troops in the Orel region they crossed the Oka and by the end of the day they captured the bridgeheads, destroying more than 1500 enemy soldiers and officers, 45 firing points, 2 tanks and capturing 35 Germans. Among others, the personnel of the 76th division was noted by the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
- On September 8, the division set out from the Orel region near Chernigov. For three days of continuous offensive, she advanced 70 kilometers and at dawn on September 20 approached the village of Tovstoles, three kilometers northeast of Chernigov, and then, having captured the city, continued the offensive to the west. By order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of September 21, 1943, No. 20, the division was thanked and given the honorary name Chernihiv.
- As part of the 1st Belorussian Front On July 17, 1944, the division launched an offensive northwest of Kovel. On July 21, the vanguards of the formation with fierce battles began to move north, towards Brest. On July 26, troops advancing from the north and south united 20-25 kilometers west of Brest, surrounding the enemy grouping. For going out state border USSR and the liberation of the city of Brest, the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.
- On January 25, 1945, as part of the 2nd Belorussian Front, units and divisions of the division blocked the exit from the city of Torun, a powerful stronghold on the Vistula, and then destroyed the 32,000th enemy group defending the city.
- On March 23, 1945, the division captured the city of Tsoppot by storm, went to the Baltic Sea and turned to the south. By the morning of March 25, as part of the corps, the division captured the city of Oliva and advanced on Danzig. On March 30, the liquidation of the Danzig group was completed.
- On April 24, the division concentrated in the Kortenhaten area, 20 kilometers south of Stettin. At dawn on April 26, the formation crossed the Rondov Canal on a wide front and, breaking through the enemy’s defensive line, cleared the city of Preclav from the Germans by the end of the day.
- On May 2, the division captured the city of Güstrow, and on May 3, having traveled about 40 more kilometers, cleared the cities of Karow and Buttsov from the enemy. The advance detachment reached the Baltic Sea and, on the outskirts of the city of Wismar, met with units of the airborne division of the Allied Expeditionary Army. On this, the 76th division ended the fighting against the German troops and began patrolling the coast.
- During the war years, 50 fighters received the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union in the division, and over 12 thousand were awarded orders and medals. Immediately after the war, the 76th division was redeployed from Germany to the territory of the Soviet Union, during the same period it was transformed into an airborne division.
History since 1947 - Pskov
- In the spring of 1947, the division was redeployed to the city of Pskov.
- In 1988, she took part in the elimination of the consequences of the earthquake in Armenia.
- In the period from 1988 to 1992, the division's paratroopers participated in the containment of interethnic conflicts in Armenia, Azerbaijan (see the article Black January), Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Baltic States, Transnistria, North and South Ossetia.
- In 1991, the 104th and 234th Guards Airborne Regiments were awarded the Pennant of the USSR Ministry of Defense "For Courage and Military Valor". Earlier, the division as a whole and its artillery regiment were awarded the Vympel of the USSR Ministry of Defense.
- BTR-80 of the 76th Airborne Division (right) and M2 Bradley in Bosnia, February 29, 1996.
- In July 1994, for the first time in history, the division's paratroopers held joint exercises with their French counterparts (in Pskov and France)
- From 1994 to 1995, the division took part in the First Chechen War. The combat losses of the division amounted to 120 soldiers, sergeants, ensigns and officers. For courage and heroism shown in carrying out a special task to restore constitutional order on the territory of Chechnya, many guards paratroopers were awarded orders and medals, and ten officers were awarded the title of Hero Russian Federation. Two of them - the commander of the reconnaissance company of the Guards, Captain Yuri Nikitich and the commander of the Guards Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Pyatnitsky, were awarded this title posthumously.
- From August 18, 1999 to 2004, the division participated in the second Chechen war. During this period of time, paratroopers took part in the liberation of the settlements of Karamakhi, Gudermes, Argun, to block the Vedeno Gorge. In most operations, personnel received appreciated Joint Command of the Group of Forces in the North Caucasus.
- Mass heroism in the battle near Hill 776 (2000) with Khattab's gangs was shown by the personnel of the 6th company of the 104th airborne regiment. At the cost of their lives, the paratroopers inflicted serious damage on the enemy grouping. For this feat, 22 guardsmen (21 of them posthumously) were awarded the title of Hero of Russia, 69 soldiers and officers of the 6th company were awarded the Order of Courage (63 of them posthumously).
- On June 22, 2001, in accordance with the directive of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, the 237th Guards Airborne Regiment, which had been part of the division since its formation, was disbanded.
- In 2005, exercises were held with servicemen of the 26th brigade of the Bundeswehr and joint anti-terrorist exercises in India, China, and Uzbekistan.
- Since 2006, the division has been an air assault division. According to the former commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General A.P. Kolmakov, both in the airborne division and in the airborne assault division, 100 percent of the personnel are ready to parachute. In the airborne assault division, unlike the airborne division, each regiment has one reinforced battalion capable of landing with equipment. This is due to the real state of military transport aviation, the geographical reference of the locations of the airborne units and the optimization of the organizational and staffing of the troops.
- In 2008, the fighters of the division participated in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
Roman Bochkala:
"Photo confirming what was said yesterday about the capture of the Russian BMD-2 armored vehicle in the Lutuginsky district of the Luhansk region. Board number 275, from the 1st parachute company of military unit 74268, Pskov airborne division (commander platoon senior lieutenant Popov).
I talked with the guys who directly took the Russian paratroopers. These are soldiers of the 24th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the special forces "Storm". The fight took place near Georgievka. The battlefield is strewn with blue berets and blocks of Rollton noodles.
The photographs show a combat vehicle and the PKT machine gun that was installed on it, indicating the name of the machine gunner - Private Surnachev N.D.
The same surname and initials are indicated in the evening verification log, as well as the names of other fighters Russian army, apparently fighting in Ukraine.
For example, from the passport of Krygin N.S. it follows that he is from the Pskov region, was born in 1994.
This suggests that Putin has a problem with experienced recruits, since young unarmed fighters rush into battle. There are other confirmations that regular troops of the Russian armed forces are fighting in Ukraine. Here is what the wife of one of the servicemen of the Pskov Airborne Forces wrote to me on Facebook yesterday: “Our husbands were recently sent to Ukraine. Like for exercises. They themselves did not know where exactly they would be sent. We are crying for them!" From myself I will add that there will be more and more tears in Russia every day. The Pskov division suffers losses. Soon zinc coffins will go to Russia not with nameless mercenaries, but with young sons of the fatherland who died for no reason. And if what was written by a woman is true, then this shows Putin's special cynicism in relation to his own citizens. What kind of teachings can be abroad??? The collected evidence must be immediately demonstrated to the ambassadors of foreign states and transferred to international organizations, where they must be given a proper assessment. As much as we would not like it, we are dealing with a real military invasion. The Russian Federation must be recognized as the aggressor. And the citizens of Russia must finally understand who is dearer to them - relatives and friends who are sent to Ukraine to certain death or a crazy dwarf who decided to take over the whole world.
Motto: "We are everywhere where victory is expected"
History reference
The day of the creation of the 76th Guards Airborne Chernihiv Red Banner Division is September 1, 1939. The base for the deployment of the division was the 221st Black Sea Rifle Regiment of the 74th Taman Rifle Division, created in 1925 on the basis of the 22nd Krasnodar Iron Rifle Division.
By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the division was part of the troops of the North Caucasian Military District and, with the outbreak of hostilities, received the task of preparing a defensive line along the Black Sea coast.
September 15, 1941 the division is sent to help the heroic defenders of Odessa. On September 22, the units of the formation replaced the defenders and by dawn took their starting positions for the offensive. During this offensive, the division completed its task and captured the Ilyichevka state farm and the village of Gildendorf. The military council of the Odessa defensive region highly appreciated the actions of the division in its first battle for the city. For courage and courage, the commander of the defensive area announced gratitude to the personnel of the formation. So the baptism of fire of the division took place.
By November 20, the division returned to Novorossiysk and took part in the Feodosia landing operation, which the Transcaucasian Front carried out jointly with the Black Sea Fleet. As a result of this operation, the Kerch Peninsula was cleared of the enemy and great support was provided to the besieged Sevastopol.
From July 25 to July 30, 1942, the division conducted active combat operations to destroy the Nazis who had crossed to the left bank of the Don. For successful military operations and the liberation of the village of Krasnoyarskaya, the Commander of the North Caucasian Front, Marshal of the Soviet Union S. M. Budyonny, thanked the personnel.
By August 4, the formation had withdrawn to the northern bank of the Aksai River. From August 6 to August 10, subunits and units waged continuous battles, trying to drive the enemy out of the bridgeheads he had captured and not allowing the offensive to develop. In these battles, the machine gunner Private Ermakov distinguished himself. On his combat account over 300 exterminated Nazis. In the name of Afanasy Ivanovich Ermakov, a modest and fearless machine gunner, a glorious list of the division's Heroes of the Soviet Union was opened. This title was awarded to Ermakov by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on November 5, 1942.
From September 1942, the division as part of the 64th Army took up defensive positions at the Gornaya Polyana-Elkhi line.
On January 10, 1943, the unit as part of the troops of the Stalingrad Front launched a decisive offensive to destroy the encircled enemy.
In the battles near Stalingrad, division units destroyed more than 10 thousand enemy soldiers and officers, more than 10 thousand Nazis were taken prisoner.
Until July 3, division units were part of the Bryansk Front in the area of the town of Belev, Tula Region.
On July 12, units of the formation on improvised means began crossing the Oka. By the end of the day, the guards captured the bridgeheads and destroyed more than 1,500 enemy soldiers and officers, 45 firing points, 2 tanks, captured 35 Nazis. Among others, the personnel of the 76th division was noted by the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
On September 8, the division moves out of the Orel region near Chernigov. For three days of continuous offensive, the division advanced 70 kilometers and at dawn on September 20 approached the village of Tovstoles, three kilometers northeast of Chernigov, and then, having captured the city of Chernigov, continued the offensive to the west. By order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the division, gratitude was announced and the honorary name "Chernihiv" was given.
The guards carried their banners with honor from Stalingrad across the Dnieper to Belarus, and the Motherland appreciated their valor and courage, awarding 47 of them the title of Hero of the Soviet Union; hundreds were awarded orders and medals.
On July 17, 1944, as part of the 1st Belorussian Front, the division launched an offensive northwest of Kovel. On July 21, the vanguards of the formation with fierce battles began to move north, towards Brest. On July 26, the troops advancing from the north and south united 20-25 kilometers west of Brest. The enemy group was surrounded. The next day, the division proceeded to active operations to destroy the encircled enemy.
As part of the 2nd Belorussian Front, on January 25, 1945, with their swift march, the division's units slammed the exit from the city of Torun to the encircled enemy group of 32,000. The enemy grouping that defended Torun, a powerful stronghold on the Vistula, ceased to exist.
On March 23, the division stormed the city of Tsoppot, went to the Baltic Sea and turned its front to the south. By the morning of the 25th, as part of the corps, the division captures the city of Oliva and rushes to Danzig. On March 30, the liquidation of the Daqing group was completed.
Having marched from Dazing to Germany, the division concentrated on April 24 in the Kortenhaten area, 20 kilometers south of Stettin. At dawn on April 26, the formation crossed the Rondov Canal on a wide front and, breaking through the enemy’s defensive line, cleared the city of Preclav from the Nazis by the end of the day.
On May 2, the division captured the city of Güstrow, and on May 3, having traveled about 40 more kilometers, cleared the city of Karow and Buttsov from the enemy. At 14.00, the forward detachments reached the Baltic Sea and, on the outskirts of the city of Wismar, met with units of the airborne division of the Allied Expeditionary Army. On this, the 76th division ended the fighting against the Nazi troops and began to carry out patrol service on the coast. During the war years in the division, 50 fighters received the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union, and over 12 thousand were awarded orders and medals.
Immediately after the war, the 76th division was redeployed from Germany to the city of Kirov in the Kaluga region, and in the same period it was transformed into an airborne division. Since the spring of 1947, the division has been stationed in Pskov. This is how it started new stage in connection history. Since 1948, for the first time, company tactical exercises with practical landing began to be carried out. In the summer, the first demonstrative battalion tactical exercise with landing takes place. They were led by the division commander, General V.F. Margelov. In 1967, the personnel of the division took part in the Dnepr exercises. The guardsmen, having demonstrated high proficiency, deserved the gratitude of the command.
In March 1970, the formation took part in the large-scale combined-arms exercise "Dvina". Several thousand guardsmen landed on the snow-covered fields of Belarus. At these exercises, for the first time, one of the units was parachuted from an AN-22 ("Antey") aircraft, which marked the beginning of the development of new types of military transport aircraft. The actions of the paratroopers were highly appreciated by the command. All soldiers, sergeants and officers who took part in the exercises were awarded anniversary medal"For military prowess". For achieving high results in combat and political training in April 1970, the division was awarded Honorary diploma Central Committee of the CPSU, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Council of Ministers of the USSR. High skill was shown by the guardsmen of the formation at the "Brotherhood in Arms" exercises. "Autumn-88".
In 1977, the 104th Infantry Regiment was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for success in combat training.
Pennant of the Minister of Defense of the USSR "For courage and military prowess" was awarded to:
- in 1974 - 234th Guards. parachute regiment;
- in 1977 - 1140th Guards. artillery regiment;
- in 1979 - 104th Guards. parachute regiment;
- in 1988 - 76th Guards. airborne division;
- in 1990 - the 104th and 234th Guards. parachute regiments.
From 1979 to 1989, officers and ensigns of the division performed their international duty in Afghanistan. From 1988 to 1992, the division's paratroopers had to put out interethnic conflicts in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Baltic States, Transnistria, North and South Ossetia.
At the end of 1995, a separate airborne brigade was formed on the basis of the division to carry out peacekeeping missions in the republics of the former Yugoslavia.
On November 17, 1998, one of the oldest regiments of the division and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the 1140th Twice Red Banner Artillery Regiment, celebrated its 80th anniversary. Formed on the basis of the 22nd Artillery Battalion of the 22nd Iron Krasnodar Rifle Division, which dates back to 1918, the Artillery Regiment has come a long way. Seven Heroes of the Soviet Union were brought up in its ranks.
The Chechen war of 1994-95 was a black page in the history of the division. 120 soldiers, sergeants, lieutenants and officers did not return from that strange war. They fulfilled their military duty to the end. For courage and heroism shown in the performance of command assignments, many guards paratroopers were awarded orders and medals, and ten officers were awarded the high title of Hero of the Russian Federation. Two of them - the commander of the reconnaissance company of the guard, captain Yu. Nikitich and the commander of the battalion of the guard, lieutenant colonel S. Pyatnitsky - were awarded this high rank posthumously.
From August 18, 1999, the personnel of the unit took part in the liquidation of illegal armed formations on the territory of the Republics of Dagestan and Chechnya as part of a regimental tactical group. During this period of time, the paratroopers of the unit had to take part in many military operations, including the liberation of the settlements of Karamakhi, Gudermes, Argun, and the blockade of the Vedeno Gorge. For most of the operations carried out, the personnel were highly appreciated by the Joint Command of the Group of Forces in the North Caucasus.
Unparalleled mass heroism in battles with gangs was shown by the personnel of the 6th company of the 104th infantry regiment. At the cost of their lives, the paratroopers did not allow a breakthrough from Argun Gorge more than 2.5 thousand militants. For this battle, 22 guardsmen (21 of them posthumously) were awarded the high title of Hero of Russia, 69 were awarded the Order of Courage (63 of them posthumously). Their memory will forever remain in our hearts.
In the period from September 26 to 29, 2000, a regimental tactical exercise was held with landing and live firing of the 234th Guards Paratrooper named after St. Alexander Nevsky Regiment, which showed the methodology for preparing and conducting regimental tactical exercises in conditions of limited funding, using experience acquired by the Airborne Forces in Chechnya. During the exercises, more than four hundred people and ten armored vehicles were parachuted, issues of forcing a water barrier, as well as combat, technical and logistics support were worked out. The actions of the personnel were highly appreciated by representatives of the Ministry of Defense.
This story of the famous connection is not over. It is continued by the young guardsmen, the successors of the military glory of the front-line soldiers. It is supplemented by their military deeds by soldiers, sergeants and officers who carry out their honorable service under the combat banner of the division.
During the existence of the division, it was commanded by:
| guards colonel | Glagolev Vasily Vasilievich | 1939-1941 |
| guards colonel | Tomilov Dmitry Ivanovich | 1941-1941 |
| guards colonel | 1941-1942 | |
| guards colonel | Tomilov Dmitry Ivanovich | 1942-1942 |
| guards colonel | Shteiman Yakov Lvovich | 1942-1942 |
| guards colonel | Kuropatenko Dmitry Semenovich | 1942-1942 |
| guards major general | Kirsanov Alexander Vasilievich | 1942-1948 |
| guards major general | Margelov Vasily Filippovich | 1948-1950 |
| guards major general | Enshin Mikhail Alexandrovich | 1950-1953 |
| guards colonel | Kholod Grigory Anisimovich | 1953-1955 |
| guards major general | Zakharov Nikolai Fyodorovich | 1955-1957 |
| guards major general | Evdan Andrey Alekseevich | 1957-1959 |
| guards colonel | Polushkin Anatoly Fedorovich | 1959-1962 |
| guards major general | Ometov Viktor Ivanovich | 1962-1968 |
| guards major general | Kostylev Valentin Nikolaevich | 1968-1971 |
| guards major general | Kuzmenko Leonid Georgievich | 1971-1976 |
| guards major general | Onishchenko Grigory Vasilievich | 1976-1979 |
| guards major general | Slyusar Albert Evdokimovich | 1979-1981 |
| guards colonel | Muravyov Yuri Andreevich | 1981-1983 |
| guards major general | Shpak Georgy Ivanovich | 1983-1986 |
| guards major general | Khalilov Vyacheslav Salikhovich | 1986-1990 |
| guards major general | Sosedov Yuri Kirillovich | 1990-1992 |
| guards major general | Babichev Ivan Ilyich | 1992-1995 |
| guards major general | Popov Alexander Vasilievich | 1995-1996 |
| guards major general | Semenyuta Stanislav Yurievich | 1996-2005 |
| guards major general | Kolpachenko Alexander Nikolaevich | since 2005 |
Photos provided by:
Headquarters of the Airborne Forces (2-20);
- From the personal archive of the author (1);
The battle lasted from 1 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the first of March. According to various sources, the number of militants was estimated from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand.
84 servicemen were killed in the battle, including 13 officers. Only six soldiers survived. The losses of the militants amounted, according to various estimates, from 370 to 700 people.
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation, 22 paratroopers were presented with the title of Hero of Russia (21 of them posthumously), 69 soldiers and officers of the 6th company were awarded the Order of Courage (63 of them posthumously).
The death of the 6th company of Pskov paratroopers, who heroically accepted the battle, stirred up the whole country, not leaving indifferent even people far from the army and the war. The feat of the winged infantry has become a symbol of military prowess and the new Russian army.
List of dead paratroopers of the 6th company:
Guards Sergeant Komyagin Alexander Valerievich, grenade launcher 6th pdr. Born in the town of Rasskazovo, Tambov Region, on September 30, 1977. Russian. Buried in the city of Rasskazovo. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Captain Romanov Viktor Viktorovich, commander of the 1st SAB. Born May 15, 1972. Russian. He was buried in the village of Sosyeva, Sverdlovsk Region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Senior Lieutenant Panov Andrey Alexandrovich, Deputy Commander of the PDR for educational work. Born in the city of Smolensk on February 25, 1974. Russian. Buried in the city of Smolensk. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Senior Lieutenant Vorobyov Alexei Vladimirovich, Deputy Commander of the reconnaissance company. Born in the village of Borovuha-1, Vitebsk region on May 14, 1975. Russian. Buried in Kurmanaevsky district Orenburg region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Lieutenant Ermakov Oleg Viktorovich. Born in the city of Bryansk on April 26, 1976. Russian. Buried in the city of Bryansk. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Lieutenant Kozhemyakin Dmitry Sergeevich, platoon commander of a separate reconnaissance company. Born in Ulyanovsk on April 30, 1977. Russian. Buried in the city of St. Petersburg. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Major Dostavalov Alexander Vasilievich, deputy commander of the paratrooper battalion. Born in the city of Ufa on July 17, 1963. Buried in the city of Pskov. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Lieutenant Colonel Evtyukhin Mark Nikolayevich, commander of the paratrooper battalion. Born in the city of Yoshkar-Ola on May 1, 1964. Buried in the city of Pskov. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Denis Petrovich Shevchenko, grenade launcher 6th pdr. Born in Pskov on December 20, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Opochka, Pskov region. Posthumously awarded the Order Courage.
Guards Private Zinkevich Denis Nikolaevich, grenade launcher 6th pdr. Born on March 15, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the village of Gornevo, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Sergeant Grigoriev Dmitry Viktorovich, grenade launcher 6th pdr. Born in the village of Zakharinovo, Novosokolnichesky district, Pskov region, on November 6, 1978. Russian. He was buried in the Kuninsky district of the Pskov region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Arkhipov Vladimir Vladimirovich, grenade launcher 6th PDR. Born in the village of Vyazki, Porkhov District, Pskov Region, on October 27, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Porkhov, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Shikov Sergey Aleksandrovich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Velikiye Luki, Pskov Region, on April 29, 1981. Russian. He was buried in the village of Koshma, Velikoluksky District, Pskov Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Shvetsov Vladimir Alexandrovich, mechanic of the group of regulations and repair of aviation equipment. Born in the city of Pskov on September 18, 1978. Russian. Buried in the city of Pskov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Travin Mikhail Vitalievich, driver 6th PDR. Born in the city of Pskov on February 11, 1980. Russian. Buried in the city of Pskov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Islentiev Vladimir Anatolyevich, grenade launcher 6 PDR. Born in the village of Pyatchino, Strugokrasnensky District, Pskov Region, on May 14, 1967. Russian. He was buried in the Strugokrasnensky district of the Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard Major Sergey Georgievich Molodov, commander of the 6th parachute company. Born in the city of Kutaisi, Georgian SSR on April 15, 1965. Russian. Buried in Chelyabinsk region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Ivanov Dmitry Ivanovich, grenade launcher 6 PDR. Born in the city of Opochka, Pskov Region, on August 6, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Opochka, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Senior Lieutenant Alexander Mikhailovich Kolgatin, commander of an engineering platoon. Born in the city of Kamyshino, Volgograd Region, on August 15, 1975. Russian. Buried in the city of Kamyshino. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Alexei Nikolaevich Vorobyov, Senior Gunner 6th Pdr. Born in the village of Demya in the Novosokolnichesky district of the Pskov region on November 5, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the village of Zhitovo, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Senior Lieutenant Sherstyannikov Andrei Nikolaevich, commander of an anti-aircraft missile platoon. Born in the city of Ust-Kut, Irkutsk region on February 1, 1975. Russian. Buried in the city of Ust-Kut. He was posthumously awarded the Star of the Hero of Russia.
Guard Private Khrabrov Aleksey Alexandrovich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in Tapa, Estonia on May 30, 1981. He was buried in the village of Chertova Gora, Pushkinogorsk district, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard captain Sokolov Roman Vladimirovich, deputy commander of the PDR, instructor of the VDP. Born February 16, 1872 in the city of Ryazan. Russian. Buried in the city of Pskov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Nishchenko Alexey Sergeevich, senior shooter 9 PDR. Born in the village of Bezhanitsy, Pskov Region, on August 2, 1981. He was buried in the village of Borok, Bezhanitsky Volost, Bezhanitsky District, Pskov Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard Lieutenant Ryazantsev Alexander Nikolaevich, platoon commander of the 3rd SAB. Born June 15, 1977. Russian. He was buried in the village of Voinovo, Korsakovsky district, Oryol region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Corporal Lebedev Alexander Vladislavovich, senior intelligence officer of a separate reconnaissance company. Born in the village of Shchiglitsy, Pskov Region, on November 1, 1977. Russian. Buried in the city of Pskov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards senior lieutenant Petrov Dmitry Vladimirovich, deputy commander of the PDR for educational work. Born in the city of Rostov-on-Don on June 10, 1974. Russian. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Karoteev Alexander Vladimirovich, senior shooter 3 srv. Born in the city of Ostrov, Pskov region on November 10, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the village of Novaya Usitva, Palkinsky district, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards senior sergeant Medvedev Sergey Yuryevich, deputy platoon commander, commander of a combat vehicle, squad leader of the 6th detachment. Born in the city of Biysk Altai Territory September 18, 1976 Russian. Buried in the city of Biysk. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Mikhailov Sergei Anatolyevich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Novorzhev on September 28, 1979. Russian. He was buried in the city of Novorzhev, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Shukaev Alexei Borisovich, Senior Gunner 6th Pdr. Born in the village of Ura-Guba, Murmansk Region on October 24, 1963. Russian. He was buried in the city of Ostrov, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Troubenok Alexander Leonidovich, gunner-operator 9 PDR. Born in the village of Polotskoye, Starodubsky District, Bryansk Region, on August 21, 1972. Russian. He was buried in the village of Polotsk, Bryansk region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Nekrasov Alexey Anatolyevich, machine gunner 6th PDR. Born in the city of Kirov on February 4, 1981. Russian. Buried in the city of Kirov. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Kiryanov Alexey Valerievich, Senior Gunner 6th Pdr. Born in the city of Chaikovsky, Perm Region, on September 23, 1979. Russian. He was buried in the village of Olkhovochka, Perm Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Kobzev Alexander Dmitrievich, grenade launcher 6th PDR. Born in the village of Orlovo Voronezh region in 1981. He was buried in Orlovo, Voronezh region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Denis Sergeyevich Strebin, commander of the BU SAND department. Born in the village of Redkino, Tver Region, on August 17, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Konakovo, Tver region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard Private Timashev Denis Vladimirovich, commander of a combat vehicle, commander of the 6th PDR. Born in the Zhizdrinsky district of the Kaluga region in July 1980. Russian. He was buried in the Itkyaran region, Karelia. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Pavlov Ivan Gennadievich, driver 6 pdr. Born in the village of Osyanka, Marevsky District, Novgorod Region, on February 23, 1966. Russian. Buried in the city of Novgorod. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Tregubov Denis Alexandrovich, senior shooter 9th pr. Born in the city of Chusovoi, Perm Region, on April 5, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Chusovoi, Perm Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Sergei Olegovich Kozlov, commander of a combat vehicle of a separate reconnaissance company. Born in the village of Mirny, Tver Region, on April 13, 1979. Russian. He was buried in the village of Olenino, Tver Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Vasilev Sergey Vladimirovich, commander of a combat vehicle, commander of the 6th squadron. Born in the city of Bryansk on April 27, 1970. Russian. Buried in the city of Bryansk. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards Private Ambetov Nikolay Kamitovich, Senior Gunner 6th Pdr. Born on January 20, 1981, Kazakh. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard Corporal Sokovanov Vasily Nikolaevich, gunner-operator of the 9th PDR. Born in the city of Kirov in November 1976. Russian. He was buried in the city of Orel, Kirov Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Sergey Alekseevich Ivanov, commander of a combat vehicle, commander of the 6th squadron. Born in the city of Borovichi, Novgorod Region, on May 26, 1979. Russian. He was buried in the city of Borovichi, Novgorod Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Izyumov Vladimir Nikolaevich, grenade launcher 6th PDR. Born in the city of Sokol, Volgograd Region on August 13, 1977. Russian. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards senior sergeant Andrey Vladimirovich Aranson, gunner-operator 6 pdr. Born in the city of Sevastopol on June 30, 1976. Russian. Buried in the city of Sevastopol. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Alexey Vasilyevich Rasskaza, deputy platoon commander, squad leader, commander of a combat vehicle of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Staraya Guta, Bryansk Region, on May 31, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Uchinsk, Bryansk region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards junior sergeant Eliseev Vladimir Sergeevich. Born in the city of Uralsk, Kazakh SSR on October 5, 1972. Russian. He was buried in the village of Boronitsy, Novgorod Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards corporal Gerdt Alexander Alexandrovich, senior shooter 6th pdr. Born in the city of Ordzhonikidze, Kazakhstan, on February 11, 1981. Russian. He was buried in the village of Blue Well, Bryansk region. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guard Private Kuatbaev Galim Mukhambetgalievich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Astrakhan on May 26, 1981. Kazakh. Buried in the city of Astrakhan. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Biryukov Vladimir Ivanovich, machine gunner 6th PDR. Born in the city of Jurmala on June 6, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Ostrov, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Alexander Dmitrievich Isaev, topographic surveyor of the control battery and artillery reconnaissance. Born in the city of Kirovsk Leningrad region January 16, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Shlisselburg, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Afanasiev Roman Sergeevich, squad leader, head of the radio station of the 2nd communications platoon. Born in the city of Pskov on October 11, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the Republic of Bashkortostan, the village of Sharovka. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Belykh Denis Igorevich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Severodvinsk on March 30, 1981. Russian. He was buried in the city of Kotelnichi, Kirov Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Bakulin Sergey Mikhailovich, grenade launcher 6 pdr. Born in the village of Dedovichi, Pskov Region, on June 2, 1978. Russian. He was buried in the village of Dedovichi, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Evdokimov Mikhail Vladimirovich, orderly 6th pdr. Born in the village of Ulyanovka, Tosnensky District, Leningrad Region, on October 5, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the Tosnensky district of the Leningrad region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Sergeant Isakov Evgeny Valerievich, platoon commander, squad leader. Born in the city of Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk region on February 8, 1977. Russian. Buried in the city of Holm. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Kenzhiev Amangeldy Amantaevich, Senior Gunner 6th Pdr. Born in the village of Vladimirovka, Astrakhan Region, on April 23, 1981. Kazakh. He was buried in the village of Vladimirovka, Astrakhan region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Popov Igor Mikhailovich, gunner-operator of the 7th PDR. Born in the city of Fergana on January 4, 1976. Russian. He was buried in the village of Yablonovo, Novgorod Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards senior sergeant Siraev Rustam Flaridovich, gunner-operator of the 6th pdr. Born in the city of Satka, Chelyabinsk region. September 5, 1976 Russian. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard Private Savin Valentin Ivanovich, radio operator of the 2nd communications platoon. Born in the city of Staraya Russa, Novgorod Region, on November 29, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Staraya Russa, Novgorod Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Grudinsky Stanislav Igorevich, machine gunner 6th PDR. Born in the city of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Region, on June 18, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Junior Sergeant Khvorostukhin Igor Sergeevich, Medical Instructor 6th Pdr. Born in St. Petersburg on December 5, 1980. Russian. Buried in the city of St. Petersburg. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Krivushev Konstantin Valerievich, commander of a combat vehicle, squad leader of the 6th detachment. Born in the Komi Republic, the village of Ydzhidyag on May 31, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Koslan, Komi Republic. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Piskunov Roman Sergeevich, driver 6th PDR. Born in the village of Sokolskoye, Sokolniki District, Ivanovo Region, on March 14, 1980. Russian. Buried in Balakhny Nizhny Novgorod region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Batretdinov Dmitry Mansurovich, machine gunner 6 PDR. Born in the city of Orenburg on May 23, 1980. Tatar. He was buried in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Timoshinin Konstantin Viktorovich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Petrodvorets, Leningrad Region, on January 8, 1976. Russian. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Lyashkov Yury Nikolaevich, machine gunner 6th pdr. Born in the city of Zhmerynka, Vinnytsia region, on March 15, 1976. Russian. He was buried in the city of Chernyd, Perm Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Zaitsev Andrey Yurievich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the village of Diveevo, Nizhny Novgorod Region, on February 1, 1981. Russian. He was buried in the village of Diveevo, Nizhny Novgorod Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Sudakov Roman Valerievich, grenade launcher 6th PDR. Born in the city of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Region, on May 18, 1981. Russian. He was buried at the Makarovsky cemetery in the Rybinsk region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Ivanov Yaroslav Sergeevich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Tikhvin, Leningrad Region, on August 21, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Tikhvin, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Chugunov Vadim Vladimirovich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in St. Petersburg on October 5, 1979. Russian. He was buried in the village of Orzhitsy, Lomonosovsky District, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Erdyakov Roman Sergeevich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Kirov on June 13, 1979. Russian. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Pakhomov Roman Alexandrovich, grenade launcher 9th PDR. Born in the city of Dankov, Lipetsk Region, on March 25, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the village of Gryazi, Lipetsk Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Zhukov Sergey Valerievich, commander of a combat vehicle, commander of the 6th squadron. Born in St. Petersburg on June 20, 1980. Russian. Buried in the city of St. Petersburg. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Alexandrov Vladimir Andreevich, machine gunner of the 6th PDR, was born in the city of Ivangorod, Leningrad Region, on March 21, 1981. Russian. He was buried in the city of Ivangorod, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Shchemlev Dmitry Sergeevich, scout. Born in St. Petersburg on July 28, 1976. Russian. Buried in the city of St. Petersburg. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Sergeant Kuptsov Vladimir Ivanovich, commander of the 9th squadron. Born in the village of Otradnoye, Kirov District, Leningrad Region, on April 28, 1974. Russian. He was buried in the village of Priladozhsky, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Vladislav Anatolyevich Duhin, commander of the combat vehicle, commander of the 6th squadron. Born in the city of Stavropol on January 26, 1980. Russian. Posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
Guards junior sergeant Vasiliev Alexey Yurievich, surveyor, computer 2 SAB. Born in the village of Gostilitsy, Lomonosovsky District, Leningrad Region, in 1979. Russian. He was buried in the village of Gostilitsy, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards junior sergeant Khamatov Yevgeny Kamitovich, scout of a separate reconnaissance company. Born in the city of Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Region on September 9, 1979. He was buried in the city of Podporozhye, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guard Private Shalaev Nikolai Vladimirovich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Lodeinoye Pole, Leningrad Region, on August 2, 1980. Russian. He was buried in the city of Lodeinoye Pole, Leningrad Region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Lebedev Viktor Nikolaevich, gunner-operator of the 6th PDR. Born in the city of Orenburg on October 6, 1976. Russian. Buried in the city of Sevastopol. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
Guards Private Zagoraev Mikhail Vyacheslavovich, sapper. Born on February 4, 1971 in the city of Porkhov, Pskov Region. He was buried at the military cemetery of the city of Porkhov, Pskov region. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.
The 76th Guards Airborne Assault Chernihiv Red Banner Division (DShD) is the oldest of the existing formations of the Airborne Forces (VDV). It is the successor of the 157th Rifle Division (which later became the 76th Guards Rifle Division), formed on September 1, 1939 on the basis of the 221st Black Sea Rifle Regiment of the 74th Taman Rifle Division.
The division's first baptism of fire took place during the defense of Odessa. On September 22, 1941, units of the division replaced the defenders and at dawn went on the offensive, during which they captured the Ilyichovka state farm and the village of Gildendorf. For courage and courage, the commander of the Odessa defensive region announced gratitude to the personnel of the formation.
On November 20, 1941, the division was redeployed to Novorossiysk to participate in the Feodosia landing operation - the first strategic joint offensive operation of the troops of the Transcaucasian Front and the forces of the Black Sea Fleet in the coastal direction. As a result of 9 days of hostilities, the Kerch Peninsula was cleared of the enemy and great support was provided to the besieged Sevastopol.
From July 25 to July 30, 1942, the division fought to destroy the Nazis who had crossed to the left bank of the Don. For successful military operations and the liberation of the village of Krasnoyarskaya, the commander of the North Caucasian Front, Marshal of the Soviet Union Budyonny, thanked the personnel.
On January 10, 1943, the division, as part of the troops of the Stalingrad Front, took part in the final part of the Battle of Stalingrad - Operation "Ring" in order to destroy the encircled enemy. By order of the NKO of the USSR dated March 1, 1943 No. 107, the 157th Rifle Division was transformed into the 76th Guards Rifle Division (Guards Rifle Division) for the courage and heroism of the personnel shown during the Battle of Stalingrad.
Subsequently, the division took part in the Battle of Kursk on the northern face of the Kursk salient. Among others, the personnel of the 76th Guards. The SD was marked with the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
On September 8, 1943, the division set out from the Orel region near Chernigov. For three days of continuous offensive, she advanced 70 km and at dawn on September 20 approached the village of Tovstoles, three kilometers northeast of Chernigov, and then captured the city and continued the offensive to the west. By order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of September 21, 1943, No. 20, the division was thanked and given the honorary name Chernihiv.
On July 17, 1944, the division as part of the 1st Belorussian Front launched an offensive northwest of Kovel. On July 26, troops advancing from the north and south united 20-25 km west of Brest, surrounding the enemy grouping. For access to the State border of the USSR and the liberation of Brest 76 Guards. sd was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.
On January 25, 1945, as part of the 2nd Belorussian Front, units and subunits of the division blocked the exit from the city of Torun, a powerful stronghold on the Vistula, and then destroyed the 32,000th enemy group defending the city.
On March 23, 1945, the division captured the city of Tsoppot by storm, went to the Baltic Sea and turned to the south. By the morning of March 25, as part of the corps, the guards captured the city of Oliva and advanced on Danzig. On March 30, the liquidation of the Danzig group was completed.
On April 24, the division concentrated in the Kortenhaten area, 20 km south of Stettin. At dawn on April 26, the formation crossed the Rondov Canal on a wide front and, breaking through the enemy’s defensive line, cleared the city of Preclav from the Nazis by the end of the day.
On May 2, the division captured the city of Gustrow, and on May 3, the cities of Karow and Buttsov. The advance detachment went to the Baltic Sea and, on the outskirts of the city of Wismar, met with units of the airborne division of the Allied expeditionary army. On this, the 76th Guards. sd completed military operations against the Nazi troops and began to carry out patrol service on the coast.
During the war years, the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union in the division received 50 fighters, and over 12 thousand were awarded orders and medals. Immediately after the war, the 76th Guards. sd was transferred from Germany to the territory of the Soviet Union and transformed into an airborne assault (airborne). In the spring of 1947, the division was redeployed to the city of Pskov.
In 1988, the 76th airborne division took part in the elimination of the consequences of the earthquake in Armenia. From 1988 to 1992, the division's paratroopers participated in containing interethnic conflicts in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Baltic States, Transnistria, North and South Ossetia.
In 1991, the 104th and 234th Guards Airborne Regiments were awarded the Pennant of the USSR Ministry of Defense "For courage and military prowess". Previously, the division as a whole and its artillery regiment were awarded the Vympel of the Ministry of Defense.
From 1994 to 1995, the division took part in establishing constitutional order in the territory Chechen Republic. For courage and heroism shown in the performance of special tasks, many guards paratroopers were awarded orders and medals, and ten officers were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
In 1999-2004 The division participated in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus. In most operations, the personnel were highly appreciated by the Joint Command of the Group of Troops (Forces).
The personnel of the 6th company of the 104th airborne regiment showed mass heroism in the battle with Khattab's gangs. At the cost of their lives, the paratroopers inflicted serious damage on the enemy. For this feat, 22 guardsmen (21 of them posthumously) were awarded the title of Hero of Russia, 69 soldiers and officers of the 6th company were awarded the Order of Courage (63 of them posthumously).
Since 2006, the division has been an air assault division. 100% of the personnel of the formation are ready to parachute. In the air assault division, unlike the airborne division, each regiment has one reinforced battalion capable of landing with equipment.
The 76th Airborne Division is one of the most combat-ready formations of the Russian Armed Forces. In 2004, it was the first in Russia to switch to a contract-based recruitment system.
