Fairy tales

Message on the topic of airborne troops. Russian Airborne Forces: history, structure, airborne weapons. From the history of creation

The one who has never left a plane in his life,
from where cities and villages seem like toys,
who has never experienced joy and fear
free fall, whistling in the ears, a stream of wind
beating in the chest, he will never understand
honor and pride of the paratrooper...
V.F. Margelov

Airborne troops (Airborne Forces), a highly mobile branch of the armed forces, designed to reach the enemy by air and conduct combat operations in his rear. The Russian Airborne Forces are a means of the Supreme Command and can form the basis of mobile forces. They report directly to the Airborne Forces commander and consist of airborne divisions, brigades, and departments. units and institutions.

CreationAirborne troops .

The history of the Airborne Forces dates back to August 2, 1930 - during an Air Force exercise of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, a paratrooper unit consisting of 12 people was parachuted. This experiment allowed military theorists to see the prospect of the advantages of parachute units, their enormous capabilities associated with the rapid coverage of the enemy by air.

The Revolutionary Military Council of the Red Army determined one of the tasks for 1931: “... airborne landing operations must be comprehensively studied from the technical and tactical side by the Red Army Headquarters in order to develop and distribute appropriate instructions to the localities.” Attention was drawn to the need for a thorough development of the organizational structure and theory of the combat use of airborne troops.

The first unit of the Airborne Forces was an airborne detachment formed in 1931 in the Leningrad Military District, numbering 164 people. E.D. Lukin was appointed commander of the detachment. The creation of massive airborne troops began with a resolution of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR, adopted on December 11, 1932. It, in particular, noted that the development of aviation technology, as well as the results achieved in the design and dropping of fighters, cargo and combat vehicles from aircraft, require the organization of new combat units and formations of the Red Army. In order to develop the airborne business in the Red Army, train the relevant personnel and units, the Revolutionary Military Council decided to deploy a brigade on the basis of the airborne detachment of the Leningrad Military District, entrusting it with training instructors in airborne training and working out operational-tactical standards. At the same time, it was planned to form by March 1933 one airborne detachment in the Belarusian, Ukrainian, Moscow and Volga military districts. A new stage in the development of airborne troops began. And already at the beginning of 1933, special-purpose aviation battalions were formed in these districts. By the summer of 1941, the manning of five airborne corps, each numbering 10 thousand people, had ended. The combat path of the Airborne Forces is marked by many memorable dates. Thus, the 212th Airborne Brigade (commander - Lieutenant Colonel N.I. Zatevakhin) took part in the armed conflict on Khalkhin Gol. During the Soviet-Finnish War (1939-1940), the 201st, 204th and 214th Airborne Brigades fought together with the rifle units. The paratroopers carried out raids deep behind enemy lines, attacked garrisons, headquarters, communications centers, disrupted troop control, and attacked strongholds.

INFar EastVyears of the Great Patriotic War.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, all five airborne corps took part in fierce battles with invaders on the territory of Latvia, Belarus, and Ukraine. During the counter-offensive near Moscow, to assist the troops of the Western and Kaliningrad fronts in the encirclement and defeat of the Vyazma-Rzhev-Yukhnov group of Germans at the beginning of 1942, the Vyazma airborne operation was carried out with the landing of the 4th Airborne Command (commander - Major General A.F. Levashov, then Colonel A.F. Kazankin). This is the largest airborne operation during the war. In total, about 10 thousand paratroopers were thrown behind German lines. Units of the Airborne Corps in cooperation with the cavalrymen of General P.A. Belov, who broke through behind enemy lines, fought until June 1942. The paratroopers acted boldly, boldly and extremely persistently. In almost six months, the paratroopers marched through the rear of the Nazi troops for about 600 km, destroying up to 15 thousand enemy soldiers and officers. The military merits of the paratroopers during the Great Patriotic War were highly appreciated. All airborne formations were given the rank of guards. Thousands of soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Airborne Forces were awarded orders and medals, and 296 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union .

Airborne Forces in the post-war years.

During this period, the Airborne Forces began to be built on other organizational and technical principles, but always taking into account the experience of those who during the war created the airborne school of victory, glory and professionalism. In the 1950s, during the exercises of airborne units, special attention was paid to new methods of defense behind enemy lines, the survivability of landing forces, interaction with advancing troops when crossing water obstacles, and landing operations in conditions of the use of nuclear weapons. Military transport aviation is equipped with An-12 and An-22 aircraft, which are capable of delivering armored vehicles, cars, artillery, and large supplies of materiel behind enemy lines. Every year the number of exercises involving airborne assaults increased. In March 1970, a major combined arms exercise "Dvina" was held in Belarus, in which the 76th Guards Airborne Chernigov Red Banner Division took part. In just 22 minutes, more than 7 thousand paratroopers and over 150 units of military equipment were landed. And from the mid-70s, the Airborne Forces began to intensively “cover themselves with armor.”

Russia also required the training and combat capability of paratroopers at a higher level - in the UN peacekeeping mission. Now there is no battalion of Russian paratroopers in the former Yugoslavia. “Rusbat 1” was located in the Serbian Krajina, on the border of Serbia and Croatia. "Rusbat 2" - in Bosnia, in the Sarajevo region. According to the UN, Russia's "blue berets" are an example of training, discipline and reliability.

For the glorious and difficult history of the Airborne Forces, the people and the army love and respect this courageous branch of the military. The Airborne Forces are troops of a harsh moral and ../fotos/foto-after_gpw-2.html physical climate, which taught the paratrooper the principle of “serve until the end”, “until accomplished”, “until victory”. History confirms that everything comes to its own time. Paratroopers of the 30s, 40s, and 80s contributed to the defense of the Fatherland and to increasing the country's defense capability. It will continue to be so

Paratrooper training.

One of the main tasks in organizing combat training for the Airborne Forces is to teach a paratrooper to shoot accurately. And from any position, on the move, from a short stop, day or night. Shoot like a sniper and use ammo sparingly. In a real battle, a paratrooper often fires single shots from a machine gun. Every cartridge he has is worth its weight in gold.

The military work of a paratrooper is not easy: with full combat gear, a forced march to a shooting range or training ground and there on the move - combat shooting as part of a platoon or company. And a battalion tactical exercise with landing and live fire is three days of tension, when you cannot relax for a minute. In the Airborne Forces, everything is as close as possible to a combat situation: a parachute jump from an airplane; gathering at the landing site - as in battle, especially at night; searching for your airborne combat vehicle (AFV) and bringing it into combat position - just like in war.

Particular attention in the Airborne Forces is paid to the moral, psychological and physical training of personnel. Every morning the paratroopers begin with intense physical exercises, intensive physical training classes are regularly held, and after two or three months the young soldier feels an unprecedented surge of strength, acquires resistance to motion sickness and great physical exertion. An indispensable part of every physical training lesson is hand-to-hand combat. Training battles are carried out in pairs, as well as with a superior “enemy” in numbers. Running and forced marches develop excellent endurance in a person. It’s not for nothing that they say in the Airborne Forces: “A paratrooper runs as long as he can, and after that, as long as necessary.”

personal fear of jumping, with insufficient psychological preparation to overcome fear. The Airborne Forces command considers the principle true: each paratrooper is obliged to personally stow his own parachute. This greatly increases responsibility, and after two or three training maneuvers, the warrior is able, under the supervision of an instructor, to prepare the parachute for the jump. The training program for ground training of a parachutist includes training the body, the vestibular system to resist motion sickness, will, and instilling courage, determination, and courage. Preparation for a jump lasts long hours, days, and sometimes weeks, but the jump itself is just a short moment in the life of a paratrooper.

Combat capabilities
airborne troops.

To carry out their assigned tasks, the Airborne Forces are equipped with combat vehicles, self-propelled artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as control and communications equipment. The existing parachute landing equipment makes it possible to drop troops and cargo in any weather and terrain conditions, day and night from various heights. Before the collapse of the USSR, the Airborne Forces included 7 airborne divisions.

Today, airborne troops form the reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces. In their composition four airborne divisions, one airborne brigade, Airborne training center, combat support units and Ryazan Institute of Airborne Forces.

Management training sessions are organized on the basis of forward formations. During them, demonstration regimental exercises are carried out with landing, crossing a water obstacle, marching 150 kilometers on new BMD-3 vehicles and live firing.

In addition to combat training missions, paratroopers perform important peacekeeping missions. Today, one and a half thousand paratroopers are in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the same number of personnel are in Abkhazia. A maneuverable military group of 500 people has been formed in Dagestan. By the way, this group performed tasks near Bamut during the fighting in Chechnya. Nowadays the units are used to protect airfields, air defense radar stations and other important facilities.

The combat path of the 76th Airborne Division.

The creation day of the 76th Guards Chernigov Red Banner Airborne Division is September 1, 1939.

The first commander of the division was Colonel Vasily Vasilyevich Glagolev. The base for the deployment of the 157th Rifle Division (its primary name) was the 221st Black Sea Rifle Regiment of the 74th Taman Rifle Division, created in 1925 on the basis of the 22nd Iron Krasnodar Rifle Division.

By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the division was part of the troops of the North Caucasus Military District and, with the outbreak of hostilities, received the task of preparing a defensive line along the Black Sea coast.

On September 15, 1941, the division was sent to help the heroic defenders of Odessa. On September 22, the formation's units replaced the defenders and by dawn took up 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 Defense Region highly appreciated the combat performance of the division in its first battle for the city. The commander of the defensive area expressed gratitude to the personnel of the formation for their courage and bravery. Thus the division's baptism of fire took place.

By November 20, 1941, 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 besieged Sevastopol.

From July 25 to July 30, 1942, the division conducted active combat operations to destroy the Nazis who crossed to the left bank of the Don. For successful military operations and the liberation of the village of Krasnoyarsk, the commander of the North Caucasus Front, Marshal of the Soviet Union S.M. Budyonny expressed gratitude to the personnel.

By August 4, 1942, the formation retreated to the northern bank of the Aksai River. From August 6 to 10, his units fought continuous battles, trying to knock the enemy off the bridgeheads they had captured and preventing them from developing the offensive. In these battles, machine gunner Private Ermakov distinguished himself. On his combat account there were over 300 exterminated Nazis. In the name of Afanasy Ivanovich Ermakov, a modest and fearless machine gunner, a glorious list of Heroes of the Soviet Union was opened in the division. This title was awarded to Ermakov by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on November 5, 1942.

Since September 1942, the division as part of the 64th Army occupied the defense at the Gornaya Polyana - Elkhi line.

On January 10, 1943, the formation of the troops of the Stalingrad Front launched a decisive offensive to destroy the encircled enemy.

Until July 3, 1943, units of the division were part of the Bryansk Front in the area of the city of Belev, Tula Region.

On July 12, units of the formation began crossing the Oka using improvised means. 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, and captured 35 Nazis. Among others, the personnel of the 76th Division were awarded the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

On September 8, the division departs from the Orel region near Chernigov. Over three days of continuous offensive, it 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 its attack 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 Chernigov.

As part of the 1st Belorussian Front, on July 17, 1944, the division began an offensive northwest of Kovel. On July 21, the vanguards of the formation began to advance north, towards Brest, with fierce fighting. On July 26, troops advancing from the north and south united 20 - 25 kilometers west of Brest. The enemy group was surrounded. The next day, the division began active operations to destroy the encircled enemy. For reaching the State Border of the USSR and liberating 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, with a rapid march, division units blocked the exit from the city of Torun of an encircled 32,000-strong enemy group. The enemy group defending Toruń, a powerful stronghold on the Vistula, ceased to exist.

On March 23, the division stormed the city of Tsoppot, reached the Baltic Sea and turned its front to the south. By the morning of March 25, as part of the corps, the division captured the city of Oliva and rushed to Danzig. On March 30, the liquidation of the Danzig group was completed.

Having marched from Danzig to Germany, on April 24 the division concentrated in the Kortenhuten area, 20 kilometers south of Stettin. At dawn on April 26, the formation on a wide front crossed the Rondov Canal and, having broken 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 covered another 40 kilometers, it cleared the cities of Karov and Buttsov of the enemy. Advance 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. At this point, the 76th Division ended combat operations against the Nazi troops and began patrol duty on the coast.

During the war years, 50 soldiers in the division 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 territory of the Soviet Union, and at the same time it was transformed into an airborne division.

In the spring of 1947, the division was redeployed to the city of Pskov. Thus began a new stage in the history of the connection.

Year after year the skill of paratroopers improved. If earlier the main task was training in parachute jumps, and actions on the battlefield were practiced without landing, then in 1948 company tactical exercises with practical landing began. In the summer of the same year, the first demonstration battalion tactical exercise with landing was held. It was led by the division commander, later the legendary commander of the Airborne Forces, General V.F. Margelov.

The division's personnel took part in the Dnepr exercise. The guards demonstrated high military skills, earning the gratitude of the command.

With each subsequent year, the division increased its combat skills. In March 1970, the division's personnel took part in the major combined arms exercise Dvina. The actions of the paratroopers were highly appreciated by the command.

The guards-paratroopers of the formation also demonstrated high skill during the Autumn-88 exercises.

In the period from 1988 to 1992, the division's paratroopers had to “extinguish” interethnic conflicts in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Baltic states, Transnistria, North and South Ossetia.

In 1991, the 104th and 234th Guards Parachute Regiments were awarded the USSR Ministry of Defense Pennant "For Courage and Military Valor". Previously, the USSR Ministry of Defense Pennant was awarded to the division as a whole and its artillery regiment.

The events in Chechnya in 1994-1995 are written like a black page in the history of the division. 120 soldiers, sergeants, warrant officers and officers died, having fulfilled their military duty to the end. For the courage and heroism shown during the special task of establishing constitutional order in the territory of Chechnya, many guardsmen-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 Yuri Nikitich, and the commander of the guard battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Pyatnitskikh, were awarded this high rank posthumously.

On November 17, 1998, one of the oldest regiments of the division in 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 traces its history back to 1918, the artillery regiment went through a glorious battle path, and 7 Heroes of the Soviet Union were trained in its ranks. The artillery soldiers celebrated their anniversary with high performance in combat training; the regiment was recognized as the best in the Airborne Forces.

Since August 18, 1999, the personnel of the formation took part in the liquidation of illegal armed gangs on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan and the Chechen Republic as part of a regimental tactical group. During this period of time, the paratroopers of the formation had to take part in many military operations, including the liberation of the settlements of Karamakhi, Gudermes, Argun, and the blocking of the Vedeno Gorge. In most operations, the personnel received high praise from the Joint Command of the group of forces in the North Caucasus, showing courage and heroism.

Their memory will forever remain in our hearts.

The history of the famous connection continues. It is carried out by young guardsmen, successors to the military glory of front-line soldiers. It is supplemented by their military deeds by soldiers, sergeants and officers who today carry out their honorable service under the combat order-bearing Banner of the division.

Currently, contract servicemen (contract soldiers) are serving in the division.

Modern airborne forces

The fundamental changes in the military-political situation in the world that have occurred in recent years have entailed a fundamental revision and clarification of views on ensuring the military security of the state, forms, methods and means of achieving it. Realistically assessing the position of Russia, the size of its territory, the length of its borders, the current
Given the state of the Armed Forces, one should proceed from the need to have deployed groups of troops that would be guaranteed to ensure the security of Russia in all strategic directions.

In this regard, the importance of mobile forces, capable of moving by air in the shortest possible time during a period of threat to any strategic direction within the borders of the Russian Federation, is sharply increasing, providing cover for sections of the state border and facilitating timely deployment
and the creation of a group of Ground Forces, to carry out tasks to suppress armed conflicts and stabilize the situation in remote regions of Russia. The Airborne Forces have a high degree of strategic and operational-tactical mobility. Their formations and units are completely air transportable, autonomous in combat, they can be used on any terrain, and parachuted into areas inaccessible to ground forces. The Supreme High Command and the General Staff, using the Airborne Forces, can respond in a timely and flexible manner in any operational or strategic direction.

Currently, the main tasks of the Air Force
airborne troops are:
In peacetime- holding peace independently
creative operations or participation in multilateral
actions to maintain (establish) peace in re-
according to the UN, CIS in accordance with international
obligations of the Russian Federation.
During the threatened period- strengthening of covering troops
state border, participation in ensuring
operational deployment of troop groups on
threatened directions, parachute drop
landings in hard-to-reach areas; strengthening of security
and defense of important government facilities; struggle
with special enemy troops; assistance
other troops and security agencies in the fight against
terrorism and other actions in order to ensure
national security of the Russian Federation.

During hostilities- landing of various
composition and purpose of airborne assault forces and
conducting combat operations behind enemy lines for
grasping and holding, incapacitating or destroying
destruction of important objects, participation in the destruction or blockade
attacking enemy groups that have broken through
operational depth of our troops, as well as in blockades
roving and destroying landing air
landings.

Airborne troops represent the basis on which universal mobile forces can be deployed in the future. In a number of documents and instructions, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief demanded that the Government and the Ministry of Defense, when developing plans for military reform, provide for the development of the Airborne Forces. In particular, to ensure that they are staffed with personnel, weapons and equipment, ready for immediate action, and to prevent Russia from losing its leading position in the development of weapons and military equipment for the Airborne Forces. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief confirmed that the Airborne Forces are his reserve, the basis of the forces for conducting peacekeeping operations.
The command and headquarters of the Airborne Forces have developed a plan for their further construction, which provides for the development of the Airborne Forces as an independent branch of the Russian Armed Forces, capable of quickly bringing its units and subunits into combat readiness to carry out tasks for their intended purpose. The main task of reforming the Airborne Forces is to optimize the organizational structure in accordance with the established strength. The main efforts are directed: firstly, to the modern training of future commanders of parachute units, the forge of which is the only Ryazan Airborne Institute in the world. Secondly: to increase the combat capabilities of formations, units and subunits, their air mobility, ability to conduct independent combat operations, both as airborne assault forces and as part of Ground Forces groups and peacekeeping contingents. Priority attention will be paid to parachute regiments and battalions, control systems, communications and reconnaissance, as well as equipping troops with new generation combat vehicles. In the future, it is planned to reform the Airborne Forces in two directions: to reduce the number of formations intended for parachute landing; to create, on the basis of some airborne formations and units, airborne assault formations and units for operating on helicopters, as well as special operations forces.

Now the Blue Berets form the combat basis of the present and future army of Russia. The Airborne Forces are part of the mobile forces and are always ready for battle. The history of the Airborne Forces continues.

by subject:

"Fundamentals of Life Safety"

"Airborne Troops"

Introduction 3

1. Purpose of the Airborne Forces and their composition 3

2. History of the creation of the Airborne Forces 3

3. Participation of the Airborne Forces in combat operations 5

4. Current state of the Airborne Forces 7

LITERATURE

Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 1970-1977 Electronic edition on 3 CDs. Publishing house "Big Russian Encyclopedia".
Newspaper / Red Star, 2003
Military History Magazine, 1996, Nos. 10, 12.
History of Russian troops. – M., 1998.
Practical lesson on tactical training. Tutorial. – M., 1997.
Fomin N.N. Large modern encyclopedia.

Introduction

"Nobody except us" -

72 years later, this slogan of the Russian paratroopers has not changed.

In 2004, the Russian Airborne Forces turn 72 years old. Over these seven-plus decades, our paratroopers have completed so many complex and unique combat missions, accomplished so many feats that would be enough for a dozen other foreign armies. The Russian Airborne Forces were the first in the world, they worked more often, longer and more successfully than others in the rear of a real, not a fictitious enemy, and they were the first in the world to use the landing of military equipment using the Centaur and Reaktavr parachute systems. They were always distinguished by first-class weapons, excellent training, and a high moral and combat code, which taught the paratrooper the principle of serving until “done,” until Victory.

The glorious history of the Airborne Forces inspires special respect for this branch of troops even among civilians, let alone the military, who know the exploits of paratroopers not only of the 30s or 40s, but also of the 80s. Paratroopers were present in almost all the hot spots of the former Soviet republics - Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku, Tbilisi, Abkhazia, and during the Kosovo crisis in 1999 they were the first to enter the capital of Kosovo, Pristina.

The airborne troops are rightfully considered the elite of the Armed Forces of our country and the military reserve of the High Command.

1. Purpose of the Airborne Forces and their composition

Airborne troops (Airborne Forces) are a highly mobile branch of the armed forces designed to drop (land) from the air behind enemy lines and conduct combat operations. They report directly to the commander of the Airborne Forces and consist of parachute, tank, artillery, self-propelled artillery and other units and subunits. Airborne troops are the most important component of the armed forces of the Russian state. Not only the security of our country, but also international security and peace in the world depends on paratroopers, on their combat training, professionalism, and skill.

2. History of the creation of the Airborne Forces

Back in 1927, our fighters, during the fight against the Basmachi, landed on the city of Garm in Tajikistan. The landing strike was so unexpected and forceful that Garm was repulsed with virtually no losses, and the Dushman garrison was liquidated.

The development of the Airborne Forces is inextricably linked with the growth of power and strengthening of the defense capability of our country.

The creation of the Airborne Forces became possible only after the completion of the first five-year plan, when the Soviet Army received heavy aircraft and parachute equipment, which ensured a massive drop of troops with the necessary weapons and military equipment.

In the early thirties, small airborne detachments were created on the basis of aviation units. The creation of the first airborne detachments was preceded by experimental parachute jumps of a small group of military pilots, supervised by L. Minov and Y. Mashkovsky. These two daredevils, who already had some experience in performing group jumps, were tasked in the summer of 1930 at the exercises of the Moscow Military District to organize a parachute landing of 12 paratroopers. By this time, domestic aircraft were not yet prepared for landing people, and the first group of paratroopers had at their disposal only one foreign-made aircraft, the Farman-Galiaf, which could lift no more than six people into the air. We had to divide the landing into two detachments. Weapons were dropped from R-1 aircraft in special cargo containers. The stowing of parachutes, loading of cargo and ammunition were carried out by the first laying instructor V. Baranov (now a reserve lieutenant colonel, master of parachuting of the USSR).

Every paratrooper remembers and honors August 2, 1930, which became for them the birthday of the Airborne Forces. Then, near Voronezh, during the exercises of the Moscow Military District, the first professional landing took place - two groups of paratroopers, commanded by Leonid Minov and Yakov Moshkovsky on an old Farman-Galiath, landed in a given area in two passes. The detachment successfully completed the task assigned by the command. This marked the beginning of the organization and further development of the airborne troops.

In 1930, an experienced parachute detachment was formed in the Leningrad Military District, which was entrusted with the task of studying the theory and practice of airborne warfare. Following the example of the Leningraders, special forces were created in some other military districts. By this time, bomber aircraft had already been converted for landing purposes and special equipment and cargo parachutes were created for dropping weapons and military equipment from aircraft.

Special purpose battalions were formed, and then larger airborne units and formations, staffed by brave, physically strong warriors capable of enduring any hardships of military life.

Successfully developing, the airborne troops soon became an indispensable participant in all major exercises and maneuvers. Already in the fall of 1934, during the exercises of the Belarusian Military District, the first large landing force was used in the amount of 900 paratroopers with full combat gear. In 1935, during exercises in the same military district, 1,800 people parachuted and 5,700 people with heavy weapons and military equipment landed. During the exercises of the troops of the Moscow Military District in September 1936, an even larger parachute landing force was dropped - consisting of 2,200 paratroopers. In subsequent years, almost all major exercises and maneuvers took place with the participation of the Airborne Forces.

Such prominent military figures as M.N. Tukhachevsky and E.P. Uborevich, former commanders of the Leningrad and Belorussian military districts, invested a lot of effort in the organization and development of the Airborne Forces. They were ardent enthusiasts and the most active organizers of the first airborne troops.

S. M. Kirov played a major role in the creation of the Airborne Forces. As secretary of the Leningrad regional committee, the party, he paid a lot of attention to the newly born branch of the military. One of the first airborne brigades (201st) bore the name of the fiery tribune of our party S. M. Kirov.

3. Participation of the Airborne Forces in combat operations

In the pre-war years, units and formations of the airborne troops received not only good training practice, but also considerable combat experience. They took part in a number of major military operations. For example, the paratroopers fought bravely in 1938 against the Japanese invaders in the area of the Khalkyn-Gol River, and in 1940 they took an active part in the battles against the White Finns and in the liberation campaign in Moldova. Already here the paratroopers showed good combat training and high moral qualities.

Paratroopers also fought in the Great Patriotic War. Just look at the Vyazma airborne operation of 1942, when during the counteroffensive near Moscow the paratroopers of the 4th Airborne Corps destroyed the rear of the Germans! Over the course of six months, the paratroopers covered thousands of kilometers, destroyed 15 thousand fascists, hundreds of pieces of equipment, warehouses, and airfields.

On various sections of the vast Soviet-German front, paratroopers boldly parachuted into enemy rear areas and entered the battle directly from the air. The paratroopers successfully carried out various tasks: they helped the troops operating from the front to encircle and destroy the fascist invaders, cut off enemy communications, captured strongholds, cut off the escape routes for defeated Nazi units, and struck enemy defenses from the rear.

At the beginning of the war, airborne assaults were used in small detachments and groups, mainly on enemy communications with the aim of destroying bridges and crossings, disrupting the control and operation of the rear of the Nazi army. Such landings, for example, were used at the end of July 1941, at the height of the fighting on the right bank of Ukraine. In sectors of the Southwestern Front, many paratroopers, after completing combat missions, remained behind enemy lines to perform other tasks as part of partisan groups. In this sector, the detachment under the command of Captain Solonov, consisting of 300 paratroopers from the 204th Airborne Brigade, especially distinguished itself in combat.

A detachment of reconnaissance paratroopers under the command of a brave and courageous warrior, Captain I. G. Starchak, successfully operated in the fall of 1941 on the Western Front. For several months, this small detachment, operating behind enemy lines, instilled fear in the Nazis.

Large airborne assaults as part of units and formations began to be used in October 1941. For example, on October 3, in the areas of Orel and Mtsensk, where a gap had formed in the defense of our troops, the 5th Airborne Corps under the command of Colonel S. was airlifted. S. Guryeva. The paratroopers fulfilled their assigned task with honor: the enemy was stopped in this sector, and thus the concentration of our ground forces was ensured for decisive action in this direction.

Several large airborne assault forces were dropped in January and February 1942 in the areas of Rzhev and Vyazma, including an assault force under the command of Major General A.F. Kazankin. It was one of the largest parachute landings of the Second World War. Despite difficult weather conditions and a difficult combat situation, the brave paratroopers held a large area behind enemy lines for almost six months. During this time they inflicted enormous damage on the invaders.

Parachute landings were also carried out in many other operations. During the Great Patriotic War, paratroopers had to fight the enemy not only from the air. Sometimes the situation at the fronts forced the Supreme High Command to use the Airborne Forces as part of the Guards rifle formations. In almost all the most important sectors of the Soviet-German front, guards rifle formations manned by personnel of the Airborne Forces courageously fought shoulder to shoulder with tank crews, infantrymen and artillerymen. On all fronts (near Moscow, in the battle on the Volga, in Belarus, in Ukraine, in the area of Lake Balaton and near Vienna and in many other areas), the paratroopers acquired well-deserved fame. For the heroism and courage shown during the crossing of the Svir River, twelve paratroopers were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The paratroopers also received many government awards for their participation in other battles.

4. Current state of the Airborne Forces

Currently, the troops are going through a period of reorganization and re-equipment. Even the purpose and functions of the Airborne Forces are changing rapidly today. And the main thing today is the process of transferring the Airborne Forces to the status of Russian mobile forces. This is the demand of the day. This is evidenced by our own experience and the experience of other countries that had to fight international terrorism.

For example, we have powerful nuclear forces, heavy aviation, and other means capable of delivering a crushing blow to a potential aggressor. But could we really apply all this, say, in Tajikistan and other hot spots? Is it possible to use these funds in Chechnya? No, this requires a completely different tool. That is, mobile forces capable of quickly moving, moving, deploying, and immediately engaging in battle in a wide variety of conditions. In the armies of the leading countries of the world, mobile forces account for 15–20 percent. And we are planning 2.5 percent.

Russia's status as a powerful power in the eyes of its closest neighbors is determined today not only by its nuclear power, but also by its ability to decisively, quickly and most effectively use conventional weapons. Of course, based on the degree of threat and the situation in the conflict area.

It is proposed to create light and heavy airborne divisions, as well as separate heavy airborne brigades. The light division will differ slightly from the modern airborne division. Here they only add a sniper squad in each company, and a battery of 120-mm self-propelled guns in the battalion. The artillery component of the division is being significantly strengthened.

The heavy airborne division will have three parachute regiments, a tank regiment, an artillery regiment, as well as an anti-aircraft missile regiment, a reconnaissance battalion, and special units and subunits. The military transport squadron will be reinforced with Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters.

The brigade structure will include three separate parachute battalions (one with BMP-2 and two with BTR-80), a separate tank battalion, a separate howitzer artillery battalion and support and service units.

This structure of airborne units and formations is capable of solving almost any task to localize any conflict.

Like the entire Russian army, the airborne troops are currently going through not the best period. Over the past seven years, their number has been reduced by almost half and today amounts to 32,000 people, many famous formations and units have been disbanded and transferred to the ground forces, and functions that were previously not characteristic of the “blue berets” have been added to the traditional tasks of the Airborne Forces.

The number of combat training events in the Airborne Forces, which is decreasing from year to year, directly affects the training of personnel and the mood of people. Social and everyday problems are added to the official troubles.

In the post-war period, the importance of the Airborne Forces increased even more. They are equipped with the latest types of weapons, combat and airborne equipment. To airdrop personnel, weapons and means of combat support, there is a military transport aircraft capable of transporting personnel and heavy military equipment by air at high speed and over considerable distances.
We must not forget that the Airborne Forces are the mobile reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and therefore 10 parachute battalions are constantly in daily readiness to carry out combat missions. And there is no doubt: if these tasks are received, the “blue berets” will fulfill their duty with honor. But at what cost...

The airborne troops trace their history back to August 2, 1930. During demonstration exercises of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, a landing force of 12 people and weapons for them were dropped for the first time. After landing, the paratroopers, having collected containers with machine guns, rifles and ammunition, completed the assigned combat mission. This experiment allowed military theorists to see the prospect of the advantages of parachute units, their enormous capabilities associated with the rapid coverage of the enemy by air. Margelov V.F Flag of the Airborne Forces

The theory of the purpose and role of the Airborne Forces was based on the works of M. Tukhachevsky. The development of landing equipment was carried out at the Air Force Research Institute under the leadership of P. Grokhovsky, and a team headed by plant director M. Savitsky worked on parachute equipment. He designed the domestic parachute PT-1 for training jumps, which replaced foreign ones.

The decisive role in the formation of the theory of combat use and the development of weapons of the airborne troops belongs to the Soviet military leader Vasily Filippovich Margelov, Commander of the Airborne Forces from 1954 to 1979. The name of Margelov is associated with the positioning of airborne formations as highly maneuverable, armored units with sufficient fire efficiency to participate in modern strategic operations in various theaters of military operations. On his initiative, the technical re-equipment of the Airborne Forces was launched: serial production of landing equipment was launched at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex, modifications of small arms for paratroopers were created, new military equipment was modernized and developed (including the first tracked combat vehicle BMD-1), which were adopted by weapons and new military transport aircraft entered the troops, and finally the Airborne Forces' own symbols, vests and blue landing berets, were created.

The basis of modern airborne weapons are BMD-1, BMD-2, BMD-3 combat vehicles, 120mm self-propelled artillery guns, 122mm howitzers, armored personnel carriers, and anti-aircraft artillery mounts. For landing, military transport aircraft Il-76 and An-22 are used. The reliability of the equipment, repeatedly confirmed in combat, allows combat vehicles and crews to be dropped by parachute, which dramatically reduces the time it takes to find your weapon and enter combat after landing.

After the Afghan events, many units of the Airborne Forces were involved in peacekeeping functions with the task of preventing the flare-up of interethnic hostility. Paratroopers more than once stood up as human shields between warring parties in Baku, Karabakh, South and North Ossetia, Osh, Transnistria and in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone. Two airborne battalions honorably perform their tasks as part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Yugoslavia. Paratroopers also took part in the events in Chechnya.

At the same time, despite difficult conditions, the Airborne Forces remain one of the most combat-ready. This allows the Airborne Forces to become the basis of the Mobile Forces, since in terms of their equipment, the specifics of the tasks they solve and the experience they have acquired, they are most suitable for this role.

Commanders of the Airborne Forces * Vasily Afanasyevich Glazunov, Major General (August 29, 1941 June 1943) * Alexander Grigorievich Kapitokhin, Major General (June 7, August 1944) * Ivan Ivanovich Zatevakhin, Major General (August 1944 January 1946) * Vasily Vasilievich Glagolev, Colonel General (April 1946 September 1947) * Kazankin Alexander Fedorovich, Lieutenant General (October 1947 December 1948) * Rudenko Sergey Ignatievich, Colonel General (December 1948 September 1949) * Kazankin Alexander Fedorovich, lieutenant general (October 1949 March 1950 ) * Alexander Vasilievich Gorbatov, Colonel General (March) * Vasily Filippovich Margelov, Colonel General (June 1, 1954 March 1959) * Ivan Vasilievich Tutarinov, Lieutenant General (March 14, 1959 July 1961) * Vasily Filippovich Margelov, Colonel General (until 1967), Army General (July 1961 January 1979) * Dmitry Semenovich Sukhorukov, Colonel General (until 1982), Army General (January 1979 July 1987) * Nikolai Vasilievich Kalinin, Colonel General (August 1987 January 1989) * Achalov Vladislav Alekseevich, Colonel General (January 1989 December 1990) * Grachev Pavel Sergeevich, Colonel General (December 30, August 1991) * Podkolzin Evgeniy Nikolaevich, Colonel General (August 31, 1991 December 1996) * Shpak Georgy Ivanovich, Colonel General ( December 4, 1996 September 2003) * Kolmakov Alexander Petrovich, Colonel General (September 8, 2003 November 2007) * Evtukhovich Valery Evgenievich, Lieutenant General (November 19, May 2009) * Ignatov Nikolai Ivanovich, Lieutenant General (acting May 6, 2009) * Vladimir Anatolyevich Shamanov, Lieutenant General (since May 24, 2009)

Airborne troops
(Airborne Forces)

From the history of creation

The history of the Russian Airborne Forces is inextricably linked with the history of the creation and development of the Red Army. A great contribution to the theory of the combat use of airborne assault forces was made by Marshal of the Soviet Union M.N. Tukhachevsky. Back in the second half of the 20s, he was the first among Soviet military leaders to deeply study the role of airborne assaults in a future war and substantiate the prospects of the Airborne Forces.

In the work “New Issues of War” M.N. Tukhachevsky wrote: “If a country is prepared for the widespread production of airborne troops capable of seizing and stopping the activities of the enemy’s railways in decisive directions, paralyzing the deployment and mobilization of his troops, etc., then such a country will be able to overturn the previous methods of operational actions and make the outcome of the war much more more decisive character."

A significant place in this work is given to the role of airborne assaults in border battles. The author believed that airborne assaults during this period of battle would be more advantageous to use to disrupt mobilization, isolate and pin down border garrisons, defeat local enemy troops, capture airfields, landing sites, and solve other important tasks.

Much attention was paid to the development of the theory of the use of Airborne Forces by Ya.I. Alksnis, A.I. Egorov, A.I. Cork, I.P. Uborevich, I.E. Yakir and many other military leaders. They believed that the most trained soldiers should serve in the Airborne Forces, ready to carry out any task, while showing determination and perseverance. Airborne assaults must deliver surprise attacks on the enemy where no one is waiting for them.

Theoretical studies led to the conclusion that the combat activities of the Airborne Forces should be offensive in nature, bold to the point of insolence and extremely maneuverable in carrying out quick, concentrated strikes. Airborne landings, making maximum use of the surprise of their appearance, must rapidly strike at the most sensitive points, achieving success hourly, thereby increasing panic in the enemy’s ranks.

Simultaneously with the development of the theory of the combat use of airborne forces in the Red Army, bold experiments were carried out on airborne landings, an extensive program was carried out to create experienced airborne units, issues of their organization were studied, and a system of combat training was developed.

The first time airborne assault was used to carry out a combat mission was in 1929. On April 13, 1929, the Fuzaili gang made another raid from Afghanistan into the territory of Tajikistan. The Basmachi's plans included capturing the Garm district and subsequently ensuring the invasion of the Alai and Fergana valleys by larger Basmachi gangs. Cavalry detachments were sent to the Basmachi invasion area with the task of destroying the gang before it captured the Garm district. However, information received from the city indicated that they would not have time to block the path of the gang, which had already defeated a detachment of Garm volunteers in a counter battle and was threatening the city. In this critical situation, the commander of the Central Asian Military District P.E. Dybenko made a bold decision: to transport a detachment of fighters by air and destroy the enemy on the outskirts of the city with a sudden blow. The detachment consisted of 45 people armed with rifles and four machine guns. On the morning of April 23, two platoon commanders flew to the combat area on the first plane, followed by the commander of the cavalry brigade T.T. on the second plane. Shapkin, brigade commissar A.T. Fedin. Platoon commanders had to capture the landing site and ensure the landing of the main forces of the detachment. The brigade commander's task was to study the situation on the spot and then, returning back to Dushanbe, report the results to the commander. Commissioner Fedin was supposed to take command of the landing force and lead the actions to destroy the gang. An hour and a half after the first plane took off, the main landing force took off. However, the detachment’s previously planned plan of action was canceled immediately after the plane with the commander and commissar landed. Half of the city was already occupied by the Basmachi, so there was no time to hesitate. Having sent a plane with a report, the brigade commander decided to immediately attack the enemy with available forces, without waiting for the landing party to arrive. Having obtained horses from the nearest villages and splitting into two groups, the detachment moved to Garm. Having burst into the city, the detachment brought down powerful machine-gun and rifle fire on the Basmachi. The bandits were confused. They knew about the size of the city's garrison, but they were armed with rifles, and where did the machine guns come from? The bandits decided that a Red Army division had broken into the city, and, unable to withstand the onslaught, retreated from the city, losing about 80 people. The approaching cavalry units completed the defeat of the Fuzaili gang. District Commander P.E. During the analysis, Dybenko highly appreciated the actions of the detachment.

The second experiment took place on July 26, 1930. On this day, under the leadership of military pilot L. Minov, the first training jumps were made in Voronezh. Leonid Grigoryevich Minov himself later told how the events took place: “I didn’t think that one jump could change a lot in life. I loved flying with all my heart. Like all my comrades, I was distrustful of parachutes at that time. Well, simply about them and didn’t think so. In 1928, I happened to be at a meeting of the leadership of the Air Force, where I made my report on the results of work on “blind” flights at the Borisoglebsk school of military pilots." After the meeting, Pyotr Ionovich Baranov, the head of the Air Force, called me over and asked: “In your report, you said that you must fly blindly with a parachute. Leonid Grigorievich, in your opinion, are parachutes needed in military aviation?” What could I say then! Of course, parachutes are needed. The best proof of this was the forced parachute jump of test pilot M. Gromov. Remembering this incident, I answered Pyotr Ionovich in the affirmative. Then he invited me to go to the USA and get to know how things are going with their aviation rescue service. To be honest, I agreed reluctantly. I returned from the United States of America “light”: with a “diploma” in my pocket and three jumps. Pyotr Ionovich Baranov put my memo in a skinny folder. When he closed it, on the cover I saw the inscription: “Parachute business.” I left Baranov’s office two hours later. There was a lot of work to be done to introduce parachutes into aviation, to organize various studies and experiments aimed at improving flight safety. It was decided to hold classes in Voronezh to familiarize the flight crew with parachutes and the organization of jumps. Baranov suggested thinking about the possibility of training 10-15 parachutists at the Voronezh training camp to perform a group jump. On July 26, 1930, participants in the training camp of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District gathered at the airfield near Voronezh. I had to perform a demonstration jump. Of course, everyone who was on the airfield considered me an ace in this matter. After all, I was the only person here who had already received air parachute baptism and jumped not once, not twice, but had as many as three jumps! And the prize-winning place I won at the competition of the strongest US parachutists, apparently, seemed to those present to be something unattainable. The pilot Moshkovsky, who was appointed my assistant at the training camp, was preparing for the jump with me. There were no more applicants yet. My jump was really a success. I landed easily, not far from the spectators, and even stayed on my feet. We were greeted with applause. A girl who appeared from somewhere handed me a bouquet of field daisies. - “And how is Moshkovsky?”... The plane is on course. His figure is clearly visible in the doorway. It's time to jump. It's time! But he still stands in the doorway, apparently not daring to rush down. Another second, two more. Finally! A white plume shot up above the falling man and immediately turned into a tight parachute canopy. - “Hurray!..” - was heard around. Many pilots, seeing Moshkovsky and me alive and unharmed, expressed a desire to jump too. On that day, squadron commander A. Stoilov, his assistant K. Zatonsky, pilots I. Povalyaev and I. Mukhin made jumps. And three days later there were 30 people in the ranks of paratroopers. After listening to my report on the progress of the classes over the phone, Baranov asked: “Tell me, is it possible to prepare, say, ten or fifteen people for a group jump in two or three days?” Having received a positive response, Pyotr Ionovich explained his thought: “It would be very good if, during the Voronezh exercise, it were possible to demonstrate the drop of a group of armed paratroopers for sabotage actions on the territory of the “enemy.”

Needless to say, we accepted this original and interesting task with great enthusiasm. It was decided to carry out the landing from the Farman-Goliath aircraft. In those days it was the only aircraft we mastered for jumping. Its advantage over the TB-1 bombers available in the air brigade was that a person did not need to climb out onto the wing - the paratroopers jumped directly into the open door. Moreover, all the trainees were in the cockpit. The feeling of a comrade's elbow calmed everyone. In addition, the releaser could watch him and encourage him before the jump. Ten volunteers who had already completed training jumps were selected to participate in the landing. In addition to the landing of fighters, the landing operation plan included dropping weapons and ammunition (light machine guns, grenades, cartridges) from aircraft using special cargo parachutes. For this purpose, two soft mail bags and four semi-heavy boxes designed by K. Blagin were used. The landing group was divided into two detachments, since no more than seven parachutists could fit in the cockpit. After the first paratroopers landed, the plane returned to the airfield for the second group. During the break between jumps, it was planned to drop six cargo parachutes with weapons and ammunition from three R-1 aircraft. As a result of this experiment, I wanted to get an answer to a number of questions: to establish the degree of dispersion of a group of six people and the time of separation of all fighters from the plane; record the time it takes to lower the paratroopers to the ground, receive the dropped weapons and bring the landing force into full readiness for combat operations. In order to expand the experience, the first detachment was planned to drop from a height of 350 meters, the second - from 500 meters, and drop the load - from 150 meters. Preparations for the landing operation were completed on July 31. Each fighter knew his place on the plane and his task on the ground. The paratroopers' equipment, consisting of the main and reserve parachutes, was packed and carefully adjusted to the soldier's figure; weapons and ammunition were packed in hanging bags and cargo parachute boxes.

On August 2, 1930, at exactly 9 o’clock, a plane took off from the home airfield. On board is the first parachute landing detachment. The leader of the second group, J. Moszkowski, is also with us. He decided to see where our group was separating, so that he could then accurately parachute his guys. Following us, three R-1 aircraft took off, under the wings of which cargo parachutes were suspended from bomb racks.

Having made a circle, our plane turned to the landing site, located approximately two kilometers from the airfield. The landing site is a field free of crops measuring 600 by 800 meters. It was adjacent to a small farm. One of the buildings, located on the outskirts of the village, was designated as a landmark for the collection of paratroopers after landing and the starting point for the start of landing operations behind “enemy” lines. - "Get ready!" - I ordered, trying to shout over the roar of the engines. The guys immediately got up and stood one after another, clutching the pull ring in their right hands. Their faces are tense and concentrated. As soon as we crossed the platform, I gave the command: “Let’s go!”... - the fighters literally poured out of the plane, I dived last and immediately pulled the ring. I counted - all the domes opened normally. We landed almost in the center of the site, not far from each other. The soldiers quickly collected parachutes and ran up to me. Meanwhile, a flight of P-1s passed overhead and dropped six parachutes with weapons on the edge of the farm. We rushed there, unpacked the bags, took out machine guns and cartridges. And now our Farman appeared in the sky again with the second group. As planned, Moshkovsky’s group left the plane at an altitude of 500 meters. They landed next to us. It only took a few minutes, and 12 paratroopers, armed with two light machine guns, rifles, revolvers and grenades, were fully ready for combat..."

This is how the world's first parachute landing was dropped.

In the order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR dated October 24, 1930, People's Commissar K. Voroshilov noted: “As achievements, it is necessary to note successful experiments in organizing airborne assaults. Airborne operations must be comprehensively studied from the technical and tactical side by the Red Army Headquarters and given appropriate instructions on the spot.”

It is this order that is the legal evidence of the birth of the “winged infantry” in the Land of the Soviets.

Organizational structure of the airborne troops

Command of the Airborne Forces
- 98th Guards Airborne Svir Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Division;
- 106th Guards Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Airborne Division;
- 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Red Banner Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Division;
- 76th Guards Air Assault Chernigov Red Banner Division;
- 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class Brigade;
- 45th Separate Guards Order of Kutuzov Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment;
- 38th separate communications regiment of the Airborne Forces;

Airborne troops- a branch of troops intended for combat operations behind enemy lines.

Designed for airborne landings behind enemy lines or for rapid deployment in geographically remote areas, they are often used as quick reaction forces.

The main method of delivering airborne forces is parachute landing; they can also be delivered by helicopter; During the Second World War, delivery by gliders was practiced.

Airborne Forces consist of:

paratroopers
tank
artillery
self-propelled artillery
other units and divisions
from units and units of special troops and rear services.

Airborne personnel are parachuted together with personal weapons.

Tanks, rocket launchers, artillery guns, self-propelled guns, ammunition and other materiel are dropped from aircraft using airborne equipment (parachutes, parachute and parachute-jet systems, cargo containers, platforms for installing and dropping weapons and equipment) or delivered by air behind enemy lines to captured airfields.

The main combat properties of the Airborne Forces:

ability to quickly reach remote areas
strike suddenly
successfully conduct a combined arms battle.

The Airborne Forces are armed with the ASU-85 airborne self-propelled guns; Sprut-SD self-propelled artillery guns; 122 mm howitzers D-30; airborne combat vehicles BMD-1/2/3/4; armored personnel carriers BTR-D.

Part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation may be part of the joint armed forces (for example, the CIS Allied Forces) or be under a unified command in accordance with international treaties of the Russian Federation (for example, as part of the UN peacekeeping forces or collective CIS peacekeeping forces in zones of local military conflicts ).

Plan:

1. History
2 Commanders of the Airborne Forces
3 Number
4 Composition
- 4.1 Divisions
- 4.2 Brigades
- 4.3 Battalions
- 4.4 Shelves
- 4.5 Educational institutions
5 Armament
- 5.1 Armored vehicles
- 5.2 Automotive equipment
- 5.3 Artillery
- 5.4 Weapon
6 Gallery

Introduction

Parachute landing from a TB-3 bomber

Unofficial sleeve insignia of the Russian Airborne Forces.

Flag of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Armed Forces

Sleeve insignia of the Russian Airborne Forces Command, 2005.

Sleeve insignia of the Russian Airborne Forces.

Airborne troops (Airborne Forces) - a highly mobile branch of rapid reaction troops, designed to reach the enemy by air and conduct combat and sabotage operations in his rear.

The Airborne Forces of the Russian Armed Forces are the reserve of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and can form the basis of mobile rapid reaction forces. They report directly to the Commander of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Armed Forces and consist of airborne divisions, brigades, individual units and institutions.

Commander of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Armed Forces - Lieutenant General Vladimir Anatolyevich Shamanov (appointed by decree of the President of Russia - May 24, 2009).

1. History

On July 26, 1930, during the Moscow Military District Air Force training camp at the Voronezh airfield, Minov performed a demonstration parachute jump, followed by several more pilots who made their first jumps. After listening to the report on the progress of the training, the commander of the Red Army Air Force, Pyotr Baranov, proposed to “demonstrate the drop of a group of armed paratroopers for sabotage actions on the territory of the “enemy.” On August 2, the landing force was dropped in two groups of 6 people; one was led by Minov, the other by his assistant Yakov Moshkovsky.

On August 2, 1930, during an Air Force exercise of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, an airborne unit of 12 people was parachuted for the first time to carry out a tactical mission. This experiment allowed military theorists to see the prospect of the advantages of parachute units, their enormous capabilities associated with the rapid coverage of the enemy by air.

August 2, 1930 became the birthday of the airborne troops. The first airborne unit was formed in 1931, in the Leningrad Military District, the airborne detachment consisted of 164 people. E.D. Lukin was appointed commander of the detachment.

Order of the NKO USSR No. 0202 “On the formation of the Directorate of Airborne Troops of the Red Army”, June 12, 1941.
In order to improve the management of combat training and service of the airborne troops, form the Directorate of the Airborne Forces of the Red Army in accordance with the staff No. 1/104 approved by me.

People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR Marshal of the Soviet Union S. Timoshenko
Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army, Army General G. Zhukov.

RGVA. F. 4. Op. 11. D. 65. L. 2. Original. Publ. web.: Russian archive... T. 13 (2-1). P. 279 (Doc. No. 117).

Until 1946, the Airborne Forces were part of the Red Army Air Force of the Armed Forces of the USSR.

Since 1946 - as part of the ground forces (ground forces) of the USSR Armed Forces, but directly subordinate to the Minister of Defense.

In 1991, the Airborne Forces of the CIS Armed Forces in Russia were separated into an independent branch of the military.

The decisive role in the formation of the theory of combat use and the development of weapons of the airborne troops belongs to the Soviet military leader Vasily Filippovich Margelov, Commander of the Airborne Forces from 1954 to 1979. The name of Margelov is associated with the positioning of airborne formations as highly maneuverable, armored units with sufficient fire efficiency to participate in modern strategic operations in various theaters of military operations. On his initiative, the technical re-equipment of the Airborne Forces was launched: serial production of landing equipment was launched at defense production enterprises, modifications of small arms for paratroopers were created, new military equipment was modernized and developed (including the first tracked combat vehicle BMD-1), and adopted New military transport aircraft entered the troops, and finally the Airborne Forces' own symbols were created - vests and blue berets. His personal contribution to the formation of the Airborne Forces in their modern form was formulated by General Pavel Fedoseevich Pavlenko:

In the history of the Airborne Forces, and in the Armed Forces of Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, his name will remain forever. He personified an entire era in the development and formation of the Airborne Forces; their authority and popularity are associated with his name not only in our country, but also abroad...

…IN. F. Margelov realized that in modern operations only highly mobile landing forces capable of wide maneuver can operate successfully deep behind enemy lines. He categorically rejected the idea of holding the area captured by the landing forces until the approach of troops advancing from the front using the method of rigid defense as disastrous, because in this case the landing force would be quickly destroyed.

2. Commanders of the Airborne Forces

(Before 1991 - Airborne Forces of the Ground Forces of the USSR Armed Forces, in 1991-1993 - Airborne Forces of the Ground Forces of the Allied Forces of the CIS)

Glazunov Vasily Afanasyevich, Major General (August 29, 1941 - June 1943)
Kapitokhin Alexander Grigorievich, Major General (07 June 1943 - 09 August 1944)
Zatevakhin Ivan Ivanovich, Major General (August 1944 - January 1946)
Glagolev Vasily Vasilievich, Colonel General (April 1946 - September 1947)
Kazankin Alexander Fedorovich, lieutenant general (October 1947 - December 1948)
Rudenko Sergei Ignatievich, Colonel General (December 1948 - September 1949)
Kazankin Alexander Fedorovich, lieutenant general (October 1949 - March 1950)
Gorbatov Alexander Vasilievich, Colonel General (March 1950-1954)
Margelov Vasily Filippovich, Colonel General (June 1, 1954 - March 1959)
Tutarinov Ivan Vasilievich, Lieutenant General (March 14, 1959 - July 1961)
Margelov Vasily Filippovich, Colonel General (until 1967), Army General (July 1961 - January 1979)
Sukhorukov Dmitry Semyonovich, Colonel General (until 1982), Army General (January 1979 - July 1987)
Kalinin Nikolai Vasilievich, Colonel General (August 1987 - January 1989)
Achalov Vladislav Alekseevich, Colonel General (January 1989 - December 1990)
Grachev Pavel Sergeevich, Colonel General (December 30, 1990 - August 31, 1991)
Podkolzin Evgeniy Nikolaevich, Colonel General (August 31, 1991 - December 1996)
Shpak Georgy Ivanovich, Colonel General (December 4, 1996 - September 2003)
Kolmakov Alexander Petrovich, Colonel General (September 8, 2003 - November 2007)
Evtukhovich Valery Evgenievich, Lieutenant General (November 19, 2007 - May 6, 2009)
Ignatov Nikolai Ivanovich, Lieutenant General (acting May 6, 2009 - May 24, 2009)
Shamanov Vladimir Anatolyevich Lieutenant General (since May 24, 2009)

3. Number

According to official data for 2010, the number of Russian Airborne Forces is 35,000 military personnel consisting of:

Officers - 4,000 people, of which 400 people occupy sergeant positions.
Military personnel (non-commissioned officers and contract soldiers) - 7,000 people.
Military personnel (non-commissioned and conscripted soldiers) - 24,000 people.
Civilian personnel (GOSLs, employees and workers) - 28,000 people.

4. Composition

Composition of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, Anglo-Saxon [ source not specified 122 days] designation.

4.1. Divisions

7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division (until January 2006 - airborne), Novorossiysk
76th Guards Air Assault Division (until January 2006 - airborne), Pskov
98th Guards Airborne Division, Ivanovo
106th Guards Airborne Division, Tula

4.2. Brigades

31st Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade, Ulyanovsk (until May 1, 1998 - 337th and 328th Guards Parachute Regiments of the 104th Airborne Division)
11th Separate Air Assault Brigade, Ulan-Ude
56th Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade, Kamyshin

4.3. Battalions

8th separate tank repair battalion Leninsk

4.4. Shelves

38th Separate Signal Regiment (Bear Lakes)
45th Separate Special Purpose Guards Regiment (Airborne) (Kubinka)

4.5. Educational institutions

Ryazan Institute of Airborne Forces
332 School of Warrant Officers of the Airborne Forces (disbanded in December 2009)
242nd training center (44th airborne training division), until 1992 - Lithuania (Gaizjunai and Prienai), currently - Omsk and Ishim

5. Armament

In January 2007, the commander of the airborne forces, Colonel General Alexander Kolmakov, announced that over the next three years the Airborne Forces will receive new serial weapons - the BMD-4 airborne combat vehicle, the 125-mm self-propelled gun 2S25 "Sprut", the BTR-D3 multi-purpose armored personnel carrier “Shell”, KamAZ-43501 airborne vehicle, D-10 and “Arbalet” parachutes, as well as new small arms and special weapons. In 2010, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation decided to arm airborne units with Iveco LMV armored vehicles produced by Kamaz OJSC. First of all, the 45th separate regiment will undergo rearmament.