Where are airborne units located in Belarus? Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus (SSO AF RB) is the youngest branch of the military
We continue to talk about old military men. This time we stopped at the “capital of the Airborne Forces” - Borovukha-1 near Novopolotsk. This town holds many stories that could become movie scripts. For example, how Yanka Kupala worked here as a railway worker. About the Second World War - how a local garrison successfully crushed Wehrmacht tanks for two weeks. You can also talk about the horrors of concentration camps: here the Germans killed thousands of prisoners of war. And also about Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan and about the helicopter crews who extinguished the reactor at Chernobyl. In general, our story will be long and interesting.
Here was Kupala, Budyonny and " enemy of the people Uborevich"
The first information about Borovukha is associated with the construction of the Vitebsk-Riga railway. It was an ordinary Belarusian village and a station of the same name. The old station building no longer exists, but on the modern one there is a commemorative sign stating that in 1916 Yanka Kupala worked here as a member of the railway crew. A search on the Internet will give you this meager information. But our guide to Borovukha and the surrounding area was a local historian-enthusiast Vladimir Komissarov. In his stories, the history of the town is definitely not so boring.
The courtyard of the barracks in Borovukha in the 1930s. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov
The first Soviet units appeared here after 1918: it was necessary to strengthen the Soviet-Polish border. In the early 20s, the first two wooden barracks were built for them. A cavalry regiment and artillerymen were stationed in the nascent military town, and a balloon training base was located nearby on Lake Beloye. The town grew, and already in 1924 a brick two-story school was built here - the building still exists.
But more rapid development of the town began after 1928, and it is associated with the construction of the Polotsk fortified area. Except fortifications(to which we will devote a separate article) by 1935, seven four-story stone houses for the families of officers, a club, a bathhouse and a store were built here. And in 1937, Marshal Semyon Budyonny himself took part in the opening of the House of Officers.
View of the town from Borovukha station. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov 
During the war, an air bomb hit the Officers' House. This is what he looked like right after the war. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov 
On the streets of Borovukha in July 1941, the Germans immediately marked the Jewish population. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov
Vladimir Komissarov told an interesting fact: the water supply to old pre-war buildings was carried out through wooden pipes. They were laid in paternas - underground vaulted channels lined with brick.
Before the war, a soldiers' club was also built. Of all the Voenproekt buildings we have seen before, it stands out primarily because of its architecture: we have never seen such buildings before. Now it is used as Orthodox Church. Interesting fact: on June 21, 1941, a gypsy choir performed there, and on the 22nd they learned about the beginning of the great war.
The town also had its own amphitheater, built, as it is written in the documents, “at the direction of the enemy of the people, Uborevich” (its construction can be seen in German photos).
Behind the pillbox you can see the amphitheater. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov
During the occupation, the Germans organized the Staatlag 354 concentration camp for prisoners of war in the barracks of the tank crews. , in which, according to various sources, from 13 to 25 thousand people were killed. The dead were buried in the pit of the amphitheater. So the place of rest and holidays in Borovukha turned into a cemetery. Now on this site there is a memorial “Star”.
There is a version that the bodies could have been dumped into Bezdonka, a lake with swampy shores on the territory of the town. There is no evidence of this, but the locals do not swim in it.
However, on the outskirts of the town there are two more lakes - large, picturesque and suitable for recreation.
They say that Novopolotsk was originally planned to be built on the same bank of the Dvina as Borovukha. But in 1957-1960 there was a secret missile unit, which received nuclear warheads. Accordingly, the city was built on the other bank.
Capital of the Airborne Forces
In after war time construction continued: “Uncle Vasya’s troops” - the 350th and 357th regiments of the airborne troops of the 103rd division - were stationed in Borovukha. Since that time, the town has been called the “capital of the Airborne Forces.”
Photo: Viktor Polyakov, zen.yandex.ru/polyakov
The town in the Union was given important: From here to important sites in Europe it’s just a stone’s throw away. Especially for this purpose, an airfield was built nearby, capable of receiving heavy military transport aircraft. Vladimir Komissarov says that former paratroopers still have maps of the English Channel with important objects marked in their garages.
It was in Borovukha that the latest weapons and equipment intended for the Airborne Forces were tested. For example, parachute D-1/8.
Here they also practiced landing a BMD-1 airborne combat vehicle with a crew inside. The initiative to create it belongs to the commander of the airborne troops, Vasily Margelov. To avoid injuries during landing, a simplified version of the space chair, Kazbek-D, was installed inside the vehicle. To reduce weight, the armored body was assembled by welding from rolled sheets of aluminum armor.
The first paratroopers inside the BMD-1 were Alexander Margelov (son of the Airborne Forces commander) and Leonid Zuev.
Paratroopers from Borovukha participated in all conflicts of the USSR. In 1968, during the unrest in Czechoslovakia, they took part in Operation Danube. The operation was exemplary from a military point of view: the paratroopers quickly managed to disarm and blockade an anti-aircraft artillery brigade, an arms factory, a garrison commandant's office and a number of other important objects.
Museum of Technology in Borovukha. GAZ-66, or “shishiga”, is a legendary car, known for its unpretentiousness and maintainability. In order to adapt it as much as possible for airlift, the designers sacrificed a lot, first of all, comfort and ease of control. But the design could withstand overloads of up to 9g and a landing speed of 10 m/s during parachuting on a special platform.
In 1979, the paratroopers were the first to enter Afghanistan and the last to leave in 1989. Then the paratroopers of the 103rd division served in the Transcaucasian border district, subordinate to the chief border troops KGB of the USSR (from 1990 to 1991). Here is what Russian General Alexander Lebed wrote about this in his memoirs: “There were “smart heads” who, taking advantage of the growing tension in society, proposed an unconventional move - to transfer the division to the State Security Committee. No division - no problem. And... they handed it over, creating a situation where the division was no longer “Vedevash”, but not yet “KGB”. Military officers were turned into clowns. The caps are green, the shoulder straps are green, the vests are blue, the symbols on the caps, shoulder straps and chest are airborne. The people aptly dubbed this wild mixture of forms “conductor.”
Museum of Technology in Borovukha. When this divisional-regimental airborne self-propelled artillery and mortar mount 2S9 “Nona-S” entered service in 1981, it was considered a secret vehicle. The main caliber of the 2S9 was the 120-mm rifled gun-howitzer-mortar 2A51. The 120 mm caliber was also not chosen by chance: the self-propelled gun could also use ammunition of a similar caliber, which is in service with NATO armies - it was assumed that the 2S9 would operate behind enemy lines, where the supply of ammunition was impossible.
In the already independent republic, the number of airborne troops was reduced: along with sovereignty, a military doctrine of a purely defensive nature was proclaimed, and airborne units, the so-called first strike troops, new concept didn't fit in. In 1995, the 350th and 357th regiments were reorganized into brigades, and later included in the 103rd separate mobile brigade of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
Museum of Technology in Borovukha. 9P148 combat vehicle from the Konkurs anti-tank system. Created on the basis of the BRDM-2, it was equipped with a liftable launcher for five missiles in transport and launch containers. The missiles were launched only when the vehicle was completely stopped. Reloading was carried out in one and a half minutes without the crew leaving the combat vehicle. The Konkurs ATGM is designed to destroy enemy tanks and other armored targets moving at speeds of up to 60 km/h, stationary targets (firing points, fortifications such as bunkers, pillboxes) provided that the targets are optically visible.
However, the locals do not understand why, when the regiments were disbanded, it was necessary to create a brigade at a new location in Vitebsk.
In Borovukha, the equipment went straight from the pits to the training ground. And now paratroopers are transported on trailers from Vitebsk to Liozno.
Airborne Forces Day in Borovukha is probably valued more than New Year. Here is the only place in the country where this holiday is celebrated in an organized manner.
There have been no airborne units for 11 years, but still, every year on August 2, festive events are held. Money is allocated for holding, porridge, compote, concert. Belarusian and Russian artists come.
On this day, a man not wearing a vest and without a blue beret will be a “black sheep” in the town. Just in case, it is better to know the answer to the question about the number of lines on a parachute - 32. But there is no fountain in the town.
Local residents say that earlier, in the 90s, there was a rather tense crime situation in Borovukha: it was scary to go out into the yard in the evening, there were constant fights. Therefore, they created a voluntary squad of locals. The vigilantes quickly restored order - now the town is safe at any time of the day.
Who's after us?
The 350th and 357th regiments were located on the edges of the town. The barracks of the “fifty dollar” (as the 350th regiment is called here) are now empty. The buildings were preserved: the looters did not have time to work on them. Access to them was closed and security was provided. Getting into the territory will not be a problem: step over the barbed wire and you are already there. But the signs on the other side say that walking here is prohibited - a fine of 500 rubles. And there seems to be a dog here.
Two barracks appeared in the 30s, during the active construction of the town. Polotsk residents were actively involved in their construction - they were brought here for community cleanups. Another one of white brick- this is already the 70s. By the way, it looks even worse than before the war.
But the beautiful canteen building is already in disrepair, and the ceiling in one wing has collapsed.
Canteen of the 350th Regiment
It is noteworthy that the former location of the regiment is being mowed down, some buildings have acquired new doors. This means they have an owner. Well, the place is excellent: a large area with its own park and access to the lake.
It was planned that the unit's buildings would be transferred to the Olympic Reserve College, but while they were thinking about it, the helicopter regiment collapsed. Its territory seemed more compact and suitable for these purposes. 
At the location of the 357th Airborne Regiment, whose territory begins at the end of what is now Army Street, life has not stopped. Now it is “industrial Babylon”: it produces sewing, knitted and rubber products, wooden windows, PVC windows and doors, building metal structures, furniture, plant protection products, instrumentation, Construction Materials, equipment for processing secondary raw materials.
Location of the 357th Regiment
Soldiers' Club. Now there's a church here
The huge House of Officers, the same one that Budyonny opened, could have been demolished in the 2000s, but its premises began to be actively sold out small business. The central part is currently undergoing renovations. We arrived to try on a second-hand store sign on the left column of the front porch.
On the right hangs a memorial plaque dedicated to “bat” - the creator of the Airborne Forces Vasily Margelov. Did you know that he is Belarusian by nationality?
Old buildings are treated with proper care. Instead of demolition - reconstruction
A local museum opened opposite the Officers' House. The exposition was created by the residents of Borovukha - who would bring a parachute, who would bring a jacket, who would bring a flight jacket, who would bring the door from the bunker. Many exhibits are related to the Second World War - in the forests around the town you can find objects from spent cartridges to the remains of a machine gun. There is even the lower part of a German... body armor. By the way, Vladimir Komissarov was directly involved in filling the museum. The description of the military operations of the Polotsk fortified area is his merit.
Across the road they created an exhibition under open air- Airborne combat vehicles are presented here.
Helicopters from Borovukha
The paratroopers' neighbors were pilots from the 276th separate helicopter regiment (Borovtsy airfield). From 1982 to February 1989, they carried out combat missions in Afghanistan. On April 27, 1986, personnel of the 4th squadron on Mi-26 helicopters and the 3rd squadron on Mi-8MT participated in extinguishing the reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In 2003, the regiment was disbanded, and the remaining helicopters in service were moved first to Zasimovochi, then to Machulishchi.
The territory of the helicopter regiment. Now this is the College of Olympic Reserve
Sergey Kozlov, pilot first class, has lived in Borovukha since 1993. Now he is retired - he has 52 years of service. I was in Afghanistan twice, there was a business trip to Chernobyl.
Since childhood, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. My brother was a helicopter pilot, and I, a ten-year-old boy, ran around Vitebsk in his uniform, I was terribly proud!
By the beginning of the Afghan war, the army was severely short of pilots army aviation, so they recruited pilots from the reserve en masse.
Helicopter Regiment. Photo: Viktor Polyakov, zen.yandex.ru/polyakov
Everyone was asked to write a report, which included the lines: I wish to serve anywhere in the USSR. Not a word about Afghanistan, but everyone understood where they would be sent. I signed up voluntarily.
For retraining on new type helicopters, Sergei was sent to the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots. I studied on the Mi-24 for three months. Then he served for some time at the NATO borders in the GDR, where the “crocodiles” were on constant combat duty.
Mi-26 (product “90”, according to NATO codification: Halo) is a Soviet and Russian heavy multi-purpose transport helicopter. It is the world's largest mass-produced transport helicopter.
It is capable of transporting people (up to 82 people), equipment and various cargoes weighing up to 20 tons. The top speed is also impressive - 295 km/h. The helicopter can cover up to 800 km (with external tanks - up to 2350) and rise to a height of up to 6500 meters. Photo: safaniuk.livejournal.com
"Crocodiles" in the skies of Afghanistan
Sergei arrived in Afghanistan in 1984. At that time, most often it was necessary to fly to escort convoys, search for caravans, and sometimes rescue paratroopers trapped in the mountains by dushmans.
The helicopter was reliable and well protected,” recalls Sergei Kozlov. - The frontal armored glass withstood a single hit from a 30-mm projectile, and machine-gun bullets even bounced off it. The cabin was also protected by steel armor. The danger for us was posed by MANPADS (man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems), which the West actively supplied to the Mujahideen. As far as I remember, they captured one instructor, a Frenchman, with a MANPADS, and then NATO sent a special plane for him.
The Mi-24's armament made it possible to cope with any task, although not everything worked flawlessly. For example, there were some problems with the YakB-12.7 four-barreled machine gun - it sometimes jammed. We learned to solve the problem in the field.
It was a powerful weapon, and so that the machine gun would not fail in battle, only 500 cartridges were loaded into the belt instead of 1470, each of which was separately lubricated with a brush. Then the entire tape came out without problems. The rate of fire was very high, sometimes it was possible not to notice that the cartridges had already run out.
In addition to the machine gun, the Mi-24’s arsenal included unguided aircraft missiles, Shturm-S anti-tank missiles and other weapons.
American pilot Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Jeff Staton, who flew the T24 for dozens of hours, praised the helicopter’s capabilities: “It’s as durable as a tractor. Put it in the shed for a year, then charge the batteries and you can fly right away. It drives smoothly, just like an old 1962 Cadillac. Lubricate it well and you can fly it for hundreds of hours.” Photo topwar.ru
When the ammunition ran out, and this happened often, the helicopter pilots did not leave the battlefield: they simulated combat approaches to the positions of the dushmans.
Was it possible to fly away when the paratroopers were being fired upon by the spooks? We did everything we could. I'll tell you: even such psychic attacks had a terrifying effect on the Mujahideen. Imagine that a huge machine with cannons and machine guns is flying at you, and you will understand that even simulating an attack can cause panic.
50 meters above the reactor
After returning from Afghanistan military service Sergei Kozlov continued at the airfield in Zasimovichi (Pruzhany). In 1986, their helicopters were sent to Chernobyl.
No one declared an alarm; the command simply gathered all the pilots in the town through messengers. The task was simple: fly to Grodno to receive new Mi-24РХР helicopters. Already on the way, we learned that they were intended for radiation reconnaissance in the area of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Sergei stayed in Chernobyl from September 2 to October 19. The task of its crew is to hover at an altitude of about 200 meters (according to instructions) and measure the radiation level. By this time the fire had been extinguished, but the study was still very intense - many of those who flew over the reactor are no longer alive.
We mostly worked at an altitude of about 150 meters - it was not so easy to hover at the required height. Sometimes, when circumstances required it, they dropped to 50 meters.
After working on the reactor, the command tried to decontaminate the expensive helicopters: they washed them with special solutions, but this did not help. Then they decided to remove the gearbox and replace it with a new one - it still fouls, they did the same with the engine - the same result. As a result, they refused to fly on these machines and allegedly sent the equipment to a repository in Ukraine.
True, there is not a single repository for radioactive helicopters now. I think they were sold somewhere in Africa.
After dangerous work in Chernobyl, Sergei Kozlov had to return to Afghanistan again, where he stayed until the withdrawal of troops. Personally withdrew three Mi-24s from Kabul. Here he had a chance to try new system, designed specifically for flying in the mountains.
Thin air in the mountains of Afghanistan led to a loss of power, so the designers developed a special water injection system into the engine. Its inclusion provided an explosive increase in power, allowing the height at which the machine could operate to be increased. The cylinder that ensures the operation of this system was located right in the cabin, and when we asked the designer what would happen if a bullet hit it, he answered: a small explosion. Why do we need this? We refused to fly with a balloon.
New Borovukha
After Afghanistan, Sergei served in Ukraine. I ended up in Borovukha almost by accident.
When the Union collapsed, it was necessary to look for a place to serve. The first time I looked into Borovukha was by accident. I looked and decided that I would never live here. Everything here was like in any military town: there is no hot water, the cold water is rusty, the heating is weak, and there are frequent power outages.
Pre-war DOS
But in the end I “landed” here. Then an order was issued from the Belarusian military district, which stated that it was possible to continue serving in the Belarusian army in the previous position. I arrive in Belarus and go to the head of the army aviation. I ask where they can send me. I received a military-style, laconic and honest answer: “Except for the hell of it.” I can’t send you anywhere else.” In the end, they were assigned to Borovukha. The unit was staffed, there were no places, so at first I was only registered here: they paid money for two months for the title and then didn’t pay anything for six months. The wife then still lived in Ukraine with two children. And so we all survived by being her part-time nanny in kindergarten.
Sergei recalls that it was a very difficult period in his life. Then, however, he returned to flying work, got an apartment, and moved his family.
When I moved here, the place was crowded with military personnel: there were 1,400 schoolchildren alone, and there were three shifts at school. Now there are fewer children - about 450 people.
In 1993, a new school was built. Surprisingly, it has a swimming pool! You can buy a subscription and come in the evenings and on weekends to swim. There was also a large gym, but it was considered dilapidated and demolished.
With the departure of the military, the question arose of what to do with the town in which more than five thousand people live. In the 2000s, it was first merged with the village council and transferred to the administrative subordination of Novopolotsk.
This had a positive effect on Borovukha: the old DOSs were overhauled, many houses had their roofs replaced, and their facades were painted. Now the town looks very decent. There is no rush to demolish old buildings here - they will come in handy on the farm. The water pipeline, laid back in the Soviet years, was frankly weak. The problem was that no one knew where and what pipes were located. It was solved effectively in a weather-driven way: they increased the pressure in the system. That's how it was discovered weak spots for replacement.
Kindergarten. There is another one in Borovukha, in a modern building
As a result, residents gained access to all the benefits of civilization - central gas, hot water and uninterrupted power supply.
There are enough food and construction stores in the town. There is also a mini market. At the entrance to the town there is a decent-looking cafe with a Tarzan park. You can also ride horses. 
On May 13, 2019, the village of Borovukha officially ceased to exist: now it is a microdistrict of Novopolotsk. City buses and minibuses already go here every half hour. There are even buses for the disabled. Don't forget about the railway station - trains to Polotsk run through it.
The private sector is located around Borovukha - these are village houses, dachas for Novopolotsk residents and former military personnel. Apartments here are expensive: for a two-room apartment of 45 square meters they ask for 24 thousand dollars.
Any local resident will tell you that it’s better to live here than in the city,” says Sergei Kozlov. - Borovukha is separated from the large industrial center by the Dvina - everything is in order with the ecology here. In Novopolotsk it smells like “Polymir”, “Naftan”, and here it smells like pine forest.
REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
At the turn of the 80s–90s. last century, rapidly developing instability greatly influenced all aspects of society. One of the important tasks was to bring down the crime wave and ensure order in society. Therefore, in the Republic of Belarus there are many units special purpose, and under each power ministry.
ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
5th SEPARATE SPECIAL PURPOSE BRIGADE
STORY
Formed in 1962 as a reconnaissance airborne unit, it has a high level of combat training and vast combat experience. Stationed in Maryina Gorka, Pukhovichi district, Minsk region. She took part in hostilities as part of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, and carried out special events in Transcaucasia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The appearance of such military units and formations in the Soviet army was caused by the presence of, as it was commonly called, our potential enemy in Europe, tactical nuclear weapons. The tasks of the airborne brigades included the destruction command posts And launchers missiles, fuel and ammunition supply bases, intelligence collection, sabotage of communications, and in the future, the organization of a partisan movement on enemy territory. Special forces were designed to conduct operations deep behind the lines in small groups. All brigades were directly subordinate to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff. Soon a unique unit appeared - a company consisting only of officers and warrant officers, well-trained professionals. The best of the best were selected, those who flawlessly mastered various styles of martial arts, shooting from all types of small arms, including Western models. Knowledge of foreign languages was a prerequisite. The military personnel also underwent a light diving training course according to the program naval special forces, mountaineering and trike piloting. The company was intended to carry out particularly important tasks in the interests of the GRU General Staff.
PREPARATION
The main direction of training is reconnaissance and sabotage activities. Scouts are taught to overcome swamps and water obstacles. “Field - Soldier Academy” - soldiers spend about seven months a year at the training ground.
In order to complete a task far from the main forces without loss, a special forces soldier must be a universal soldier. His arsenal includes tactics of covert movement, knowledge of engineering, mastery of hand-to-hand combat techniques and first-hand skills. medical care. Distinctive features are skillful control of all types of army transport and the ability to accurately shoot from various types of small arms, including captured ones.
There are no mountains in Belarus, but there are many high-rise buildings. Therefore, the basis of training is urban mountaineering. Classes are held not only on the territory of the brigade, they are also organized jointly with colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB. Diving training classes are also conducted.
Special forces parachute from the sky, and the most different ways. Landing with high precision day and night, in any weather conditions. For this purpose, new parachutes have come into service here, which allow scouts to jump from any height and at any speed. aircraft. In addition to parachutes, special forces also have motorized hang gliders in their arsenal.
WEAPONS
Like many special forces of the former republics of the USSR, the army special forces of Belarus are equipped with weapons and equipment of Soviet and Russian origin.
KGB SPECIAL FORCES "Alpha"
The Alpha group under the USSR State Security Committee was created in 1974. In March 1990, the then KGB chairman V. Kryuchkov signed an order to create the 11th group of the USSR KGB with a deployment in Minsk. The document listed the tasks of the operational combat unit being created: localization and suppression of terrorist and extremist actions, especially dangerous criminal manifestations. Area of activity: Belarus and the Baltic republics.
From October 1991 to January 1992, the group was at the disposal of the Main Security Directorate under the Office of the President of the USSR. Then it became part of the structure of the central apparatus of the KGB of the Republic of Belarus. The group's fighters carried out special operational missions, and in 1992–1994. was involved to ensure the physical protection and safety of the leadership of Belarus and members of foreign delegations. The range of tasks gradually expanded; now it also includes the fight against organized crime, as well as illegal export precious metals, material and historical values outside the country.
SELECTION
When creating Alpha, preference was given to officers with combat experience, former paratroopers, and professional athletes. Today it is mandatory for candidates higher education and military service. Particular attention is paid to the ability to endure great psychological and physical exercise. Average age fighters - 30–35 years old.
For some time there were rumors that Alpha fighters received military experience in Chechnya, but the group’s leadership stubbornly denies this.
SPECIAL FORCES OF BORDER FORCES
The Separate Active Measures Service (OSAM) is a unit whose task includes anti-terrorist activities in the border zone.
The history of the special forces of the KGB border troops under the Council of Ministers of the USSR began in 1981. The goal of the group operating in Afghanistan was to fight the counter-revolutionary underground and agents of enemy intelligence services.
OSAM appeared after the collapse Soviet Union, in 1993. Its first commander was Gennady Nevyglas. One of the primary tasks of the special forces was the fight against illegal migration. Later, new tasks appeared - the fight against economic crime and drug smuggling, countering terrorism and human trafficking.
On the uniform chevron of an OSAM fighter there are two crossed balls and a wind rose against the background of the country’s outline.
At one time, OSAM was headed by the chairman of the Border Committee, Igor Rachkovsky. And the eldest sons of the country’s president, Viktor and Dmitry Lukashenko, served in the special forces.
TASKS
For special forces units border service assigned the following tasks:
Conducting operations related to the implementation of operational information about hostile activities on the state border and at checkpoints through it by the intelligence services of foreign states, extremist and criminal gangs;
Protection in extreme conditions premises, Vehicle and other objects of operational bodies;
Carrying out reconnaissance and search activities;
Ensuring the security of events carried out by the management of the border service;
Release of hostages from among the military personnel of the troops, bodies and organizations of the border service;
Studying the operational situation in the areas (locations) of the group’s proposed actions, conducting reconnaissance of the specified areas (locations);
Participation in special events related to the implementation of specific operational information, information from interacting law enforcement agencies;
Participation in the search and detention of armed groups and persons who have crossed or are attempting to cross the border;
Ensuring the safety of border service management while traveling around the country and abroad;
Ensuring the safety of the operational staff of the border service during activities at the state border;
Ensuring the personal safety of PS military personnel and members of their families in cases provided for by law;
Ensuring the group's own safety.
WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT
The weapons are predominantly of Soviet and Russian origin. The unit is equipped with modern radio stations. For off-road vehicles, the bumpers are additionally reinforced with rails, a steel bottom is welded on, and a rubber mixture is poured into the tires.
SPECIAL FORCES OF THE INTERNAL TROOPS OF THE MIA
3rd Separate Red Banner Special Purpose Brigade
The third separate Red Banner special forces brigade (military unit 3214, Uruchye) was formed on the basis of the 334th regiment of the 120th division. It is prepared both to disperse street actions and to participate in special operations. This is the shock part internal troops. The number of personnel is 1500–2000 people. The brigade includes special purpose battalions, a special rapid reaction unit (SOBR) and support units.
The main tasks of the brigade are the fight against terrorism, actions in the event of emergency situations, preparation in case of military danger.
In peacetime, brigade fighters participate in maintaining public order in the capital of the republic and often go on missions outside of Minsk. During opposition street actions, the brigade is usually kept in reserve and used only in the most extreme cases.
The fighters receive comprehensive and varied training. The program includes acrobatics, hand-to-hand combat, strength training, athletic gymnastics, and cross-country. Much attention is paid to shooting from different types weapons, as well as tactical and special training for actions in various situations.
In fact, the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs began with Almaz. True, at that time this unit was called “Berkut”, and its main purpose was to organize prison anti-terrorism. Similar detachments were created in other Soviet republics.
Today it is a rapid response unit. In 1994, the then head of Berkut and future Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Naumov took the initiative to rename the special unit “Almaz”. On the basis of the Department of Correctional Affairs of the former republics of the USSR, they urgently began to form a prison anti-terrorism unit. The order was signed on January 2, 1992. Vladimir Naumov, then still the commander of a patrol company, was appointed the first commander of the unit.
The main tasks being solved at that time were:
Release of hostages;
Detention of armed criminals;
Elimination of unrest in prisons.
The forces of the then small special forces carried out a number of search and arrest operations. dangerous criminals who escaped from pre-trial detention centers in Minsk and Brest. Hostages taken by repeat offenders in correctional colonies in Orsha and Minsk were freed, and a mass escape from the colony in Shklov was prevented.
As the nature of crime changed, so did the unit. At this time, many different criminal groups emerged. They started talking about the mafia, thieves' authorities, and the division of territories and spheres of influence. Belarusian terrorism was not limited to the walls of the colonies either. Greater use of special forces was required. The question of reorganization arose. A review of all special forces units was carried out, and the best was chosen - “Almaz”.
Since the fall of 1994, the unit has been transformed into a special unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, reporting personally to the minister. The fighters bear the responsibility for carrying out the most difficult tasks: eliminating terrorist attacks, freeing hostages, detaining various criminal armed groups.
The history of the name of the special forces is unique - in many countries such formations are still called “Berkut” or “Falcon”, but Belarusians took a different path. The new name was not chosen by chance - the diamond symbolizes hardness, purity, and nobility. In a memo for soldiers, their commander once wrote: “Always remember that a special forces officer must be pure and hard, like a diamond.”
Over the years of existence, SPBT "Almaz" has accumulated a huge practical experience, terrorist attacks were stopped and about 100 hostages were freed, together with the operational units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than five and a half thousand special operations were carried out to search for and suppress the activities of organized criminal groups and organizations. One of the most resonant events of Almaz was the detention in Minsk of suspects in the murder of Russian journalist Paul Klebnikov.
TASKS
The main objectives are:
Prevention of terrorist acts;
Detection and disposal of explosive devices;
Carrying out special measures to detect and detain dangerous armed criminals, to seize counterfeit banknotes, narcotic, chemical and radioactive substances and ammunition;
Ensuring the physical security of the operational staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
Conducting search and reconnaissance activities;
Security for judges and supervisors of the republic, senior officials of the state and foreign delegations.
The combat readiness of the unit is evidenced by the following fact: in the event of an alarm, the Almazovets must arrive at the base within 5–7 minutes. And within 20 minutes, reconnaissance and battle group. After another 20 minutes, the second group leaves behind.
Mostly officers come to Almaz from similar units of the Ministry of Defense, police special forces, security service for the head of state, and border troops. As a rule, these are people who have served at least five years and have already participated in special operations. Women also serve in Almaz - negotiators and snipers.
The armament corresponds to the armament of other special forces of Belarus.
Minsk Special Purpose Police Regiment
The regiment was formed in the fall of 2005 on the basis of a police detachment special purpose. As then, so now the main task regiment - protection of public order during various mass actions.
Other tasks were:
Ensuring personal and property security of citizens on the streets and in other public places;
Prevention and suppression of offenses, group violations of public order and mass riots;
Participation, together with other services and divisions of internal affairs bodies, in detaining armed criminals, suppressing the activities of organized groups and criminal organizations;
Participation in special events and operations conducted by internal affairs bodies.
In addition, the unit’s fighters must be prepared for disasters, catastrophes, and natural and man-made accidents.
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August 2 marked the 85th anniversary of the creation of the Airborne Forces, the successors of which in our country were the special operations forces. Our freelance correspondent met with the commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus, Major General Vadim DENISENKO (pictured)
— Comrade Major General, in Belarus the airborne troops have been transformed into a new branch of the military - special operations forces. What is the fundamental difference?
- With the development of weapons and military equipment Views on the conduct of armed struggle, as well as on the use of airborne forces, also transformed. Therefore, it was decided to create in our country, on the basis of units of the Airborne Forces, a separate branch of the Armed Forces - special operations forces.
Home distinctive feature MTR is what they are in constant readiness for use in both peacetime and wartime and are intended to solve special problems in the interests of achieving political, military, economic and psychological goals aimed at preventing escalation or ending the military conflict in relation to the Republic of Belarus. Military units and units of the Special Operations Forces are entrusted with the following tasks: conducting counter-sabotage, reconnaissance and combat operations and carrying out special measures. Also, units of special operations forces are involved in the fight against terrorism, carrying out measures to strengthen the security regime state border and maintaining law and order together with the personnel of the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
— When creating special operations forces, was it studied? Foreign experience?
— Of course, but we should not forget that the Belarusian special operations forces were not created out of nowhere. We had a shock component - well-trained airborne brigades. We strengthened these mobile formations with a reconnaissance component - a special forces brigade. Both components were united under a single command - in general, they made the optimal decision for a country with a small territory and a compact mobile Armed Forces.
I must say that today our experience is being carefully studied by other countries.
- And when you realized that you were on on the right track?
— In 2004, while working out the tactics of action, we understood that mobile brigades were mobile, capable of making long marches in any conditions, could be airlifted and deliver serious blows. We took all this into account. A special forces group, capable of operating in any conditions, found the object, and soon a mobile unit arrived at the designated point. The commander of the special forces group, together with the commander of the mobile unit, clarified the decision and carried out the destruction of the object. Next year we were already confident that we were moving in the right direction. Our tactics were also tested during various large-scale exercises of the Belarusian Armed Forces.
- Are we not revealing all the secrets of special operations forces in this way?
“This is the tactics of any professional unit in the world. As for the secrets of mastery, believe me, professionals are very reluctant to share them. And we are no exception here. So we’ll leave the secrets of mastery outside of this interview.
— BTR-80 armored personnel carriers replaced the airborne combat vehicles in the mobile brigades. Also to match the modern look?
“We proceeded from the fact that our units must be very mobile: move at any time and on any roads. And the BTR-80 allows you to do this. They contribute to the successful completion of the tasks facing us. “Wheels” look preferable in our conditions. Special operations forces artillery is also on wheels. Today we are already considering the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, which has greater firepower, for rearmament. In particular, the 30-mm automatic cannon will replace the large-caliber 14.5-mm KPVT machine gun.
— Since we touched on the issues of equipping the MTR modern weapons and military equipment, tell us how seriously it has changed in Lately?
— Tests of the Fox armored vehicle have recently been completed. We decided what changes should be made to its design in order for the car to meet our requirements for it: what combat module to install, how to arrange the seats, loopholes... All this was taken into account in the technical specifications submitted to the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. First of all, the Foxes will be delivered to mobile battalions in vehicles. This year, the latest ORSIS-T5000M sniper rifles, capable of hitting targets at ranges of up to 1,500 meters, were adopted. They became a good addition to the modern ones that have proven themselves well among the troops. sniper rifles VSK-94, OSV-96, MTs-116M.
The troops received high-precision, powerful ammunition with an expansive bullet (338-caliber LAPUA MAGNUM), which penetrates all existing means of body armor (body armor, helmets of the highest protection classes).
Our military personnel are provided with the most modern surveillance and targeting equipment domestic production: day-night sights DNS-1, night sights NV/S-18, night monocular NV/M-19, laser target designator LAD-21T, collimator sight PK-01BC.
Special operations forces are also supplied with very decent personal armor protection equipment. In particular, the “Skat” protective helmet, which provides protection against a bullet from a Makarov pistol at a distance of one meter, and the “Voron” body armor, which can protect against a bullet from an SVD at a distance of ten meters.
Work is underway to provide and adopt other new optical sights, ammunition, small arms, tactical and shooting glasses, and RPG-32 Hashim grenade launchers.
Our units are provided with reliable communications. Based on the Bogatyr vehicle, a modern command and staff vehicle has been developed (a means of communication for the SOF commander and brigade commanders).
Modern models of weapons and military equipment enter the troops and are mastered during combat training. The modernization of this weapon, which is located today along with ammunition on the basis of the Ural-43202 vehicle, has significantly increased the mobility of the crews of the ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. In the next two months we plan to supply them to the 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade.
Uniforms and equipment of special operations forces personnel are being improved.
We recently received new ATVs that have been tested by the Armed Forces. In the future they will be adopted. I must say, this is a very effective technique when performing tasks in forest areas, in wetlands, on rough terrain... This was confirmed by the exercises that took place in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan as part of testing the collective rapid reaction forces of the CSTO.
— Military personnel of the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade are constant participants in such exercises. How important are they to us?
— First of all, it is gaining invaluable experience. We have a lot to learn from Russians, Kazakhs, and Tajiks. We always learn something new in these exercises. And, of course, we learn to interact.
WITH great benefit Many other exercises are taking place. For example, the joint Belarusian-Chinese anti-terrorism exercise (training) “Swift Eagle”. Not long ago, another such exercise (the third in a row) ended on the basis of the 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade.
But the closest interaction has been established with Russian colleagues. The latest joint exercise was a battalion-tactical exercise held in the 38th brigade, in which a company of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division took part. Our military personnel also showed themselves worthy during the humanitarian search and rescue operation at the North Pole, where they had to carry out tasks in difficult climatic conditions. Those who distinguished themselves are presented with state awards. Trial North Pole withstood both modern uniforms and equipment of special operations forces personnel. Many of our new products were received with interest by Russians. For example, cargo containers with which our military personnel jumped with a parachute.
— Comrade Major General, what other successes do you remember in the anniversary year?
— In the first half of the year, the command of special operations forces, as well as units of the 38th and 103rd Guards separate mobile brigades, successfully passed the inspection of the Ministry of Defense. The MTR team distinguished itself at international competitions for the best special forces group, held in Kazakhstan, where it took a prize. Our military personnel won the competition for the best special-purpose sniper pair of the Armed Forces, in which representatives from all law enforcement agencies of our country and teams from Russia and Kazakhstan participated.
The MTR team won the Armed Forces championship in army hand-to-hand combat. The next tests for the right to award the “Valor and Mastery” badge also showed the increased level of training of our military personnel.
Bilateral battalion tactical exercises were interesting. A very useful event was the joint diving training camp held in Ryazan. During the meeting, much attention was paid to the study of new diving equipment that is being supplied to the Russian Armed Forces today.
This year, 11 of our military personnel mastered the most modern Arbalet parachute systems. They were trained at the Russian Airborne Forces Special Training Center.
Of course, on May 9, a significant event was the participation of military personnel of the 5th separate special forces brigade in the parade held on Red Square in Moscow. They adequately represented the Belarusian Armed Forces there.
Another important event was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 334th separate special forces detachment, held on the basis of the 5th separate special forces brigade.
It's nice that the successes of special operations forces do not go unnoticed, including in high level. This year alone, the Head of State awarded Colonel Vladimir Bely and Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Smekhovich the Order “For Service to the Motherland”, III degree, for exemplary performance of official duties. Last year, these high awards were awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Sukhovilo and Major Alexey Khuzyakhmetov.
- At all times, service in the “windswept troops” was prestigious. How popular is Special Operations Forces today? Is it in demand among young people?
“We have no shortage of people willing to serve in special operations forces.”
As for the training of officers for our branch of the military, it is carried out at the Faculty of Military Intelligence of the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus, as well as at the Ryazan Higher Airborne command school Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Training is conducted in two specialties: “Use of mobile units” and “Use of special-purpose units.”
The demand for the profession of a special operations forces officer is evidenced by the annual competition for admission to special forces specialties. This year it amounted to more than two people per place, and for the specialty “Use of Special Purpose Units” - more than three people per place.
Serving in the special operations forces is truly prestigious. We are glad to see in our ranks those who have a craving for romance, a desire to see something new, learn a lot and strengthen their character.
CHRONICLEOn August 2, 1930, during an exercise near Voronezh, the drop of a group of armed paratroopers was demonstrated. The landing party consisted of twelve people, who were divided into two groups of six paratroopers. The paratroopers were supposed to drop weapons and ammunition from aircraft using special cargo parachutes.
After the successful landing of a group of paratroopers, armed with rifles, light machine guns and grenades, were ready to carry out combat missions.
PROSPECTS
The main directions of construction and development of special operations forces of the Armed Forces:
— development and testing of new ways of performing tasks;
— optimization of the organizational structure of formations and military units in accordance with the tasks being solved, as well as taking into account changes in the forms and methods of military confrontation;
— modernization of existing models of weapons, military and special equipment and equipping with new models of both domestic and foreign production;
— improving the quality of training of specialists for special operations forces;
— improvement of military camps and creation of living conditions for military personnel that meet modern requirements.
Interviewed by Alexander MAKAROV
What are they, the Special Operations Forces of the Republic of Belarus? Defending Russia looks to its nearest neighbor to find out.
In addition to them, MTRs use the latest Russian assault rifles- For example, . The butt of this machine gun is made of impact-resistant glass-filled polyamide, which clearly lightens the weight of the weapon. Its mass is 3.6 kg, rate of fire is 650 rounds per minute, sighting range— 50 m.
Now the MTR has the latest sets of special clothing and weapons for different environments of fighters. An “underwater paratrooper” in a set of “SCUBA” underwater equipment sits coquettishly with an Airborne Forces flag. It is equipped with a breathing apparatus with a buoyancy compensator, a neoprene wetsuit with gloves and boots, fins and a diving mask. There is a “paratrooper” with a set of diving equipment SLVI-71, which allows you to work at a depth of up to 40 m.
The “beekeeper” is wearing a “summer special” set.
And the sniper is dressed in a camouflage "Leshy". To the right of it is the windproof kit "Gorka-E".
The lyricism of the army names continues with the “Melted Snow” set of winter clothing for paratroopers.
The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus (SSO AF RB) are the youngest branch of the military. On August 1, 2007, the MTR Command of the Armed Forces was created. The MTR command reports directly to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
The command is the military control body of the Armed Forces and is intended to manage subordinate formations and military units, direct their combat and mobilization training; planning the activities of special operations forces of the Armed Forces, organizing their construction and development, as well as resolving other issues within the competence of the command.
Commander of Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus - Major General Vadim Denisenko
The Special Operations Forces include:
- 5th OBrSpN (Maryina Gorka),
- 38th separate mobile brigade (Brest)
— 103rd separate mobile brigade (Vitebsk)
- 33rd separate detachment of Special Forces (Vitebsk).
The organizational structure of mobile brigades is as follows:
brigade management: headquarters, services;
combat military units and subunits
airmobile battalion;
2 separate mobile battalions
(in each BTR-80, MAZ vehicles, 82mm mortars, 40mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers);
artillery division (122 mm D-30 howitzers);
anti-aircraft missile and artillery division (BTR-ZD “Skrezhet”, MANPADS “Igla”);
combat support and communications units;
logistics and technical support units.
OBrSpN organizationally consists of:
Brigade management
-headquarters; services.
Combat military units and units
Special Forces units (detachments);
- communications department.
Support units
MTO Division;
- headquarters company;
-medical company.
Based on an analysis of trends in the development of the armed forces of foreign states, the experience of military conflicts of the last decade and conducted exercises, it was determined that the special operations forces of the Armed Forces are intended to perform various tasks using special methods and means, in order to prevent the escalation or cessation of the armed conflict in relation to the Republic of Belarus on the part of any aggressor, and act as one of the main elements of strategic deterrence. Formations and military units of special operations forces are in constant readiness for timely use in both peacetime and wartime. They can perform tasks independently or in cooperation with formations and military units of the Armed Forces, internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and internal affairs bodies, the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus, newly formed operational detachments of the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
