56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Airborne Forces flag "56 DShB". I am a guards separate air assault brigade (Kamyshin)
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Russia
(1979-1990)
USSR Airborne Forces Command
(1990-1992)
Russian Airborne Forces Command
(1992-1997)
Command of the RF Armed Forces of the 20th Guards. MSD
(1997-2013)
Russian Airborne Forces Command
(since 2013)
Afghan War (1979-1989),
Karabakh war,
First Chechen War,
Invasion of Dagestan,
Second Chechen War
Conventional name - Military unit No. 74507 (military unit 74507). Abbreviated name - 56th Guards odshbr .
The point of permanent deployment is the city of Kamyshin in the Volgograd region.
Combat path during the Great Patriotic War
On January 15, 1944, in accordance with the order of the commander of the Red Army Airborne Forces No. 00100 dated December 26, 1943, in the city of Stupino, Moscow Region, on the basis of the 4th, 7th and 17th separate guards airborne brigades (the brigades were stationed in the city of Vostryakovo, Vnukovo, Stupino) the 16th Guards Airborne Division was formed. The division had a staff of 12,000 people.
In August 1944, the division was redeployed to the city of Starye Dorogi, Mogilev Region, and on August 9, 1944, it became part of the newly formed 38th Guards Airborne Corps. In October 1944, the 38th Guards Airborne Corps became part of the newly formed separate Guards Airborne Army.
On December 8, 1944, the army was reorganized into the 9th Guards Army, the 38th Guards Airborne Corps became the Guards Rifle Corps.
On March 16, 1945, having broken through the German defenses, the 351st Guards Rifle Regiment reached the Austro-Hungarian border.
In March-April 1945, the division took part in the Vienna Operation, advancing in the direction of the main attack of the front. The division, in cooperation with formations of the 4th Guards Army, broke through the enemy’s defenses north of the city of Székesfehérvár, reached the flank and rear of the main forces of the 6th SS Panzer Army, which had penetrated the defense of the front forces between lakes Velence and Lake Balaton. At the beginning of April, the division struck in a northwestern direction, bypassing Vienna and, in cooperation with the 6th Guards Tank Army, broke enemy resistance, advanced to the Danube and cut off the enemy’s retreat to the west. The division successfully fought in the city, which lasted until April 13.
For breaking through the fortified defense line and capturing the city of Mor, all personnel received the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 26, 1945, “for participation in the capture of Vienna,” the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Since then, April 26 has been considered the unit's annual holiday.
On May 5, the division was alerted and marched to the Austro-Czechoslovak border. Having come into contact with the enemy, on May 8 she crossed the border of Czechoslovakia and immediately captured the city of Znojmo.
On May 9, the division continued combat operations to pursue the enemy and successfully developed an offensive towards Retz and Pisek. The division marched, pursuing the enemy, and in 3 days fought 80-90 km. At 12.00 on May 11, 1945, the forward detachment of the division reached the Vltava River and, in the area of the village of Oleshnya, met with troops of the American 5th Tank Army. Here the division's combat path in the Great Patriotic War ended.
History 1945-1979
At the end of hostilities, the division from Czechoslovakia returned to Hungary under its own power. From May 1945 to January 1946, the division was camped in the forests south of Budapest.
Based on Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 1154474ss dated June 3, 1946 and Directive of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces No. org/2/247225 dated June 7, 1946, by June 15, 1946, the 106th Guards Rifle Red Banner, Order of Kutuzov Division was reorganized to the 106th Guards Airborne Red Banner, Order of Kutuzov Division.
Since July 1946, the division was stationed in Tula. The division was part of the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps (corps headquarters - Tula).
Based on the directives of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of September 3, 1948 and January 21, 1949, the 106th Guards Airborne Red Banner, Order of Kutuzov Division as part of the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps became part of the Airborne Army.
The personnel of the 351st Guards Parachute Regiment participated in military parades on Red Square in Moscow, took part in large military exercises and in 1955 landed near the city of Kutaisi (Transcaucasian Military District).
In 1956, the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps was disbanded and the division became directly subordinate to the commander of the Airborne Forces.
In 1957, the regiment conducted demonstration exercises with landings for military delegations from Yugoslavia and India.
Based on the directives of the USSR Minister of Defense dated March 18, 1960 and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces dated June 7, 1960 to November 1, 1960:
- the 351st Guards Parachute Regiment (the city of Efremov, Tula Region) was accepted into the 105th Guards Airborne Vienna Red Banner Division from the 106th Guards Airborne Division;
- The 105th Guards Airborne Division (without the 331st Guards Parachute Regiment) was redeployed to the Turkestan Military District in the city of Fergana, Uzbek SSR;
- The 351st Guards Parachute Regiment was stationed in the city of Chirchik, Tashkent region.
In 1974, the 351st Regiment parachuted into one of the regions of Central Asia and participated in large-scale TurkVO exercises. Being the advanced part of the Airborne Forces of the Central Asian region of the country, the regiment participates in parades in the capital of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
In 1977, the BMD-1 and BTR-D entered service with the 351st Regiment. The regiment's personnel at that time was 1,674 people.
Based on the directive of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces dated August 3, 1979, by December 1, 1979, the 105th Guards Airborne Division was disbanded.
What remained from the division in the city of Fergana was the 345th separate guards parachute landing regiment of the Order of Suvorov of a much larger composition (it was added howitzer artillery battalion) than the usual and the 115th separate military transport aviation squadron.
On the basis of the 351st Guards Parachute Regiment of the 105th Guards Airborne Division, by November 30, 1979, in the village of Azadbash (district of the city of Chirchik), Tashkent region of the Uzbek SSR, 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade (56th Airborne Brigade). At the time of its formation, the brigade's staff number was 2,833 people.
The rest of the division's personnel were sent to fill the gaps in other airborne formations and to supplement the newly formed separate air assault brigades.
To form the brigade, those liable for military service (reserve military personnel) - the so-called “partisans” - were called up from among the residents of the Central Asian republics and the south of the Kazakh SSR. They will subsequently make up 80% of the brigade’s personnel when troops enter the DRA.
The formation of brigade units was simultaneously carried out at 4 mobilization points and completed in Termez:
“...formally the brigade is considered formed in Chirchik on the basis of the 351st Guards. pdp. However, de facto, its formation was carried out separately in four centers (Chirchik, Kapchagai, Fergana, Yolotan), and was brought together into a single whole just before the entry into Afghanistan in Termez. The brigade headquarters (or officer cadre), as formally its cadre, was apparently initially stationed in Chirchik...”
On December 13, 1979, units of the brigade boarded military trains and were redeployed to the city of Termez, Uzbek SSR.
Participation in the Afghan War
In December 1979, the brigade was introduced into the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and became part of the 40th Combined Arms Army.
From Termez 1st pdb and 2nd dshb by helicopter, and the rest in a convoy were redeployed to the city of Kunduz. 4th dshb stayed at the Salang pass. Then from Kunduz 2nd dshb was transferred to the city of Kandahar where he became part of the newly formed 70th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade.
In January 1980, the entire staff was introduced 56th Airborne Brigade. She was stationed in the city of Kunduz.
Since the transfer of the 2nd dshb As part of the 70th Omsbr, the brigade was actually a three-battalion regiment.
The initial task of the brigade's units was to guard and defend the largest highway in the Salang Pass area, ensuring the advance of Soviet troops into the central and southern regions of Afghanistan.
From 1982 to June 1988 56th Airborne Brigade stationed in the area of Gardez, conducting combat operations throughout Afghanistan: Bagram, Mazar-i-Sharif, Khanabad, Panjshir, Logar, Alikhail (Paktia). In 1984, the brigade was awarded the Challenge Red Banner of the TurkVO for the successful completion of combat missions.
By order of 1985, in mid-1986, all the standard airborne armored vehicles of the brigade (BMD-1 and BTR-D) were replaced with more protected armored vehicles with a long service life:
- BMP-2 D - for reconnaissance company, 2nd, 3rd And 4th battalions
- BTR-70 - for 2nd And 3rd Airborne Company 1st battalion (at 1st pdr remained BRDM-2).
Also a feature of the brigade was the increased staff of the artillery battalion, which consisted not of 3 fire batteries, as was customary for units stationed on the territory of the USSR, but of 5.
On May 4, 1985, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the brigade was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, No. 56324698.
From December 16, 1987 to the end of January 1988, the brigade took part in Operation Magistral. In April 1988, the brigade took part in Operation Barrier. Paratroopers blocked the caravan routes from Pakistan in order to ensure the withdrawal of troops from the city of Ghazni.
Number of personnel 56th Guards odshbr on December 1, 1986 there were 2,452 people (261 officers, 109 warrant officers, 416 sergeants, 1,666 soldiers).
After fulfilling its international duty, on June 12-14, 1988, the brigade was withdrawn to the city of Yolotan, Turkmen SSR.
There were only 3 BRDM-2 units in the brigade. as part of a reconnaissance squad. However, there was another BRDM-2 in the chemical platoon and 2 more units. in the OPA (propaganda and agitation unit).
From 1989 to present
In 1990, the brigade was transferred to the Airborne Forces and reorganized into a separate Guards Airborne Brigade (Airborne Brigade). The brigade passed through “hot spots”: Afghanistan (12.1979-07.1988), Baku (12-19.01.1990 - 02.1990), Sumgait, Nakhichevan, Meghri, Julfa, Osh, Fergana, Uzgen (06.06.1990), Chechnya (12.94-10.96, Grozny, Pervomaisky, Argun and from 09.1999 - 2005).
On January 15, 1990, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, after a detailed study of the situation, adopted a decision “On declaring a state of emergency in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and some other areas.” In accordance with it, the Airborne Forces began an operation carried out in two stages. At the first stage, from January 12 to 19, units of the 106th and 76th airborne divisions, the 56th and 38th airborne brigades and the 217th parachute regiment landed at airfields near Baku (for more details, see . article Black January), and in Yerevan - the 98th Guards Airborne Division. The 39th separate air assault brigade entered Nagorno-Karabakh.
Since January 23, airborne units began operations to restore order in other parts of Azerbaijan. In the area of Lenkoran, Priship and Jalilabad, they were carried out jointly with the border troops, who restored the state border.
In February 1990, the brigade returned to its place of permanent deployment in the city of Iolotan.
From March to August 1990, brigade units maintained order in the cities of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
On June 6, 1990, the 104th Parachute Regiment of the 76th Airborne Division, the 56th Airborne Brigade began landing at airfields in the cities of Fergana and Osh, and on June 8 - the 137th Parachute Regiment of the 106th airborne division in Frunze. Having made a march on the same day through the mountain passes of the border of the two republics, the paratroopers occupied Osh and Uzgen. The next day, the 387th separate parachute regiment and units 56th Airborne Brigade took control of the situation in the area of the cities of Andijan and Jalal-Abad, occupied Kara-Suu, mountain roads and passes throughout the conflict territory.
In October 1992, in connection with the sovereignization of the republics of the former USSR, the brigade was redeployed to the temporary deployment point, the village of Zelenchukskaya, Karachay-Cherekessiya (the 4th parachute battalion of the brigade remained at the permanent deployment point in Iolotan (Turkmenistan), in order to protect the military camp, which was later transferred to the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan and renamed into a separate air assault battalion). The 56th Guards Airborne Brigade became three battalions. From there, in 1993, she marched to the place of permanent deployment in the village of Podgory near the city of Volgodonsk, Rostov region. The territory of the military camp was a former shift camp for the builders of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, located 3 kilometers from the nuclear power plant.
From December 1994 to August - October 1996, the combined battalion of the brigade fought in Chechnya. On November 29, 1994, an order was sent to the brigade to form a consolidated battalion and transfer it to Mozdok. The brigade's artillery division took part in the operation near Shatoi at the end of 1995 - beginning of 1996. A separate platoon of the AGS-17 brigade from March 1995 to September 1995 as part of the combined battalion of the 7th Guards. Airborne Division took part in the mining company in the Vedeno and Shatoi regions of Chechnya. For their courage and heroism, military personnel were awarded medals and orders. In October-November 1996, the combined battalion of the brigade was withdrawn from Chechnya. At the request of the Don Cossack Army, the brigade was given the honorary name Don Cossack.
In 1997, the brigade was reorganized into 56th Guards Air Assault, Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, Don Cossack Regiment, which was included in the .
In July 1998, by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, in connection with the resumption of construction of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, the 56th Regiment began redeployment to the city of Kamyshin, Volgograd Region. The regiment was stationed in the buildings of the Kamyshinsky Higher Military Construction Command and Engineering School, which was disbanded in 1998.
On August 19, 1999, an air assault detachment from the regiment was sent to reinforce the consolidated regiment of the 20th Guards Motorized Rifle Division and was sent by letter military echelon to the Republic of Dagestan. On August 20, 1999, an air assault detachment arrived in the village Reassignment of the brigade
In connection with the reform of the Airborne Forces, all air assault formations were withdrawn from the Ground Forces and subordinated to the Directorate of the Airborne Forces under the Russian Defense Ministry:
“In accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 776 of October 11, 2013 and the directive of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Airborne Forces included three air assault brigades stationed in the cities of Ussuriysk, Ulan-Ude and Kamyshin, previously part of the Eastern and Southern Military Districts"
,
Invasion of Dagestan,
Second Chechen War
see list
56th Guards Separate Air Assault Brigade (56gv.odshbr) - military formation of the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces of the USSR and the Russian Armed Forces. The formation's birthday is June 11, 1943, when the 7th and 17th Guards Airborne Brigades were formed.
Combat path during the Great Patriotic War
On January 15, 1944, in accordance with the order of the commander of the Red Army Airborne Forces No. 00100 dated December 26, 1943, in the city of Stupino, Moscow Region, on the basis of the 4th, 7th and 17th separate guards airborne brigades (the brigades were stationed in the city of Vostryakovo, Vnukovo, Stupino) the 16th Guards Airborne Division was formed. The division had a staff of 12,000 people.
In August 1944, the division was redeployed to the city of Starye Dorogi, Mogilev Region, and on August 9, 1944, it became part of the newly formed 38th Guards Airborne Corps. In October 1944, the 38th Guards Airborne Corps became part of the newly formed Separate Guards Airborne Army.
On December 8, 1944, the army was reorganized into the 9th Guards Army, the 38th Guards Airborne Corps became the Guards Rifle Corps.
On March 16, 1945, having broken through the German defenses, the 351st Guards Rifle Regiment reached the Austro-Hungarian border.
In March-April 1945, the division took part in the Vienna Operation, advancing in the direction of the main attack of the front. The division, in cooperation with formations of the 4th Guards Army, broke through the enemy’s defenses north of the city of Székesfehérvár, reached the flank and rear of the main forces of the 6th SS Panzer Army, which had penetrated the defense of the front forces between Lakes Velence and Lake Balaton. At the beginning of April, the division struck in a northwestern direction, bypassing Vienna and, in cooperation with the 6th Guards Tank Army, broke enemy resistance, advanced to the Danube and cut off the enemy’s retreat to the west. The division successfully fought in the city, which lasted until April 13. By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 29, 1945, the division was awarded the Order of Kutuzov, II degree, for its participation in the defeat of eleven enemy divisions southwest of Budapest and the capture of Mor.
For breaking through the fortified defense line and capturing the city of Mor, all personnel received the gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 26, 1945, “for participation in the capture of Vienna,” the division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Since then, April 26 has been considered the unit's annual holiday.
During the Vienna operation, the division fought over 300 kilometers. On some days the rate of advance reached 25-30 kilometers per day.
From 5 to 11 May 1945, the division, as part of the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front, took part in the Prague offensive operation.
On May 5, the division was alerted and marched to the Austro-Czechoslovak border. Having come into contact with the enemy, on May 8 she crossed the border of Czechoslovakia and immediately captured the city of Znojmo.
On May 9, the division continued combat operations to pursue the enemy and successfully developed an offensive towards Retz and Pisek. The division marched, pursuing the enemy, and in 3 days fought 80-90 km. At 12.00 on May 11, 1945, the forward detachment of the division reached the Vltava River and, in the area of the village of Oleshnya, met with troops of the American 5th Tank Army. Here the division's combat path in the Great Patriotic War ended.
History 1945-1979
At the end of hostilities, the division from Czechoslovakia returned to Hungary under its own power. From May 1945 to January 1946, the division was camped in the forests south of Budapest.
Based on Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR No. 1154474ss dated June 3, 1946 and Directive of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces No. org/2/247225 dated June 7, 1946, by June 15, 1946, the 106th Guards Rifle Red Banner Order of Kutuzov division was reorganized into 106th Guards Airborne Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Division.
Since July 1946, the division was stationed in Tula. The division was part of the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps (corps headquarters - Tula).
In 1956, the corps was disbanded and the division became directly subordinate to the commander of the Airborne Forces.
Based on the directives of the General Staff of September 3, 1948 and January 21, 1949, the 106th Guards Airborne Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Division as part of the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps became part of the Airborne Army.
In April 1953, the Airborne Army was disbanded.
Based on the directive of the General Staff of January 21, 1955, by April 25, 1955, the 106th Guards Airborne Division withdrew from the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps, which was disbanded, and transferred to a new staff of three regimental personnel with personnel battalion (not full strength) in each parachute regiment. The 137th Guards Airborne Regiment was transferred from the disbanded 11th Guards Airborne Division to the 106th Guards Airborne Division. Deployment point is the city of Ryazan.
The personnel of the 351st Guards Parachute Regiment participated in military parades on Red Square in Moscow, took part in large military exercises and in 1955 landed near the city of Kutaisi (Transcaucasian Military District).
In 1957, the regiment conducted demonstration exercises with landings for military delegations from Yugoslavia and India. Based on the directives of the USSR Minister of Defense dated March 18, 1960 and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces dated June 7, 1960 to November 1, 1960:
- the 351st Guards Airborne Regiment (the city of Efremov, Tula Region) was accepted into the 105th Guards Airborne Vienna Red Banner Division from the 106th Guards Airborne Red Banner Order of Kutuzov Division;
- The 105th Guards Airborne Division (without the 331st Guards Parachute Regiment) was redeployed to the Turkestan Military District in the city of Fergana, Uzbek SSR;
- The 351st Guards Parachute Regiment was stationed in the city of Chirchik, Tashkent region.
Based on the Directive of the General Staff of August 3, 1979, by December 1, 1979, the 105th Guards Airborne Vienna Red Banner Division was disbanded.
What remained from the division in Fergana was the 345th Separate Guards Parachute Airborne Regiment of the Order of Suvorov, which was significantly larger than the usual one, and the 115th Separate Military Transport Aviation Squadron. The rest of the division's personnel were sent to fill the gaps in other airborne formations and to supplement the newly formed air assault brigades.
On the basis of the 351st Guards Parachute Regiment of the 105th Guards Airborne Vienna Red Banner Division in the village of Azadbash (district of the city of Chirchik), Tashkent region of the Uzbek SSR, the 56th separate guards air assault brigade was formed.
To form a brigade, reserve military personnel - the so-called “partisans” - were urgently mobilized from among the residents of the Central Asian republics and the south of the Kazakh SSR. They will subsequently make up 80% of the brigade’s personnel when troops enter the DRA.
The formation of brigade units will simultaneously be carried out at 4 mobilization points and will end in Termez:
“...formally the brigade is considered formed in Chirchik on the basis of the 351st Guards Regiment. However, de facto, its formation was carried out separately in four centers (Chirchik, Kapchagai, Fergana, Yolotan), and was brought together into a single whole just before the entry into Afghanistan in Termez. The brigade headquarters (or officer cadre), as formally its cadre, was apparently initially stationed in Chirchik...”
On December 13, 1979, units of the brigade loaded into trains and were redeployed to the city of Termez, Uzbek SSR.
56th Guards Specialized Brigade in the Afghan War
Organizational and staffing structure of the 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade as of December 1986
In December 1979, the brigade was introduced into the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and became part of the 40th Combined Arms Army.
On the morning of December 25, 1979, the 4th Airborne Battalion Brigade was the first, as part of units of the 40th Army, to enter Afghanistan to guard the Salang Pass.
From Termez, the 1st infantry battalion and the 2nd airborne infantry battalion by helicopter, and the rest in a column, were redeployed to the city of Kunduz. The 4th Airborne Battalion Remained at the Salang Pass. Then from Kunduz the 2nd battalion was transferred to the city of Kandahar where it became part of the newly formed 70th separate guards motorized rifle brigade. In January 1980, the entire 56th Brigade was introduced. She was stationed in the city of Kunduz.
Since the transfer of the 2nd DShB to the 70th Guards. The motorized rifle brigade was actually a three-battalion regiment.
The initial task of the brigade's units was to guard and defend the largest highway in the Salang Pass area, ensuring the advance of Soviet troops into the central and southern regions of Afghanistan.
From 1982 to June 1988, the 56th Airborne Brigade was stationed in the Gardez area, conducting combat operations throughout Afghanistan: Bagram, Mazar-i-Sharif, Khanabad, Panjshir, Logar, Alikhail (Paktia). In 1984, the brigade was awarded the Challenge Red Banner of the TurkVO for the successful completion of combat missions.
By order of 1985, in mid-1986, all standard airborne armored vehicles of the brigade (BMD-1 and BTR-D) were replaced with more protected armored vehicles with a long service life (BMP-2D for reconnaissance company, 2nd, 3rd and 4th battalions and BTR-70 for the 1st battalion 2 and 3 pdr) the 1st pdr still had BRDM. Also a feature of the brigade was the increased staff of the artillery battalion, which consisted not of 3 fire batteries, as was customary for units stationed on the territory of the USSR, but of 5.
In 1986, the brigade was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
From December 16, 1987 to the end of January 1988, the brigade took part in Operation Magistral. In April 1988, the brigade took part in Operation Barrier. Paratroopers blocked the caravan routes from Pakistan in order to ensure the withdrawal of troops from the city of Ghazni.
The number of personnel of the 56th Guards. As of December 1, 1986, the separate airborne brigade numbered 2,452 people (261 officers, 109 warrant officers, 416 sergeants, 1,666 soldiers). After fulfilling its international duty, on June 12-14, 1988, the brigade was withdrawn to the city of Yolotan, Turkmen SSR.
Regarding the organizational structure. The picture shows that the brigade had only 3 BRDM-2 units, which were available in the reconnaissance company. However, there was another BRDM-2 in the chemical platoon and 2 more units. in the OPA (propaganda and agitation unit).
From 1989 to present
At the end of 1989, the brigade was reorganized into a separate airborne brigade (airborne brigade). The brigade passed through “hot spots”: Afghanistan (12.1979-07.1988), Baku (12-19.01.1990 - 02.1990), Sumgait, Nakhichevan, Meghri, Julfa, Osh, Fergana, Uzgen (06.06.1990), Chechnya (12.94-10.96, Grozny, Pervomaisky, Argun and since 09.1999).
On January 15, 1990, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, after a detailed study of the situation, adopted a decision “On declaring a state of emergency in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and some other areas.” In accordance with it, the Airborne Forces began an operation carried out in two stages. At the first stage, from January 12 to 19, units of the 106th and 76th airborne divisions, the 56th and 38th airborne brigades and the 217th parachute regiment landed at airfields near Baku (for more details, see . article Black January), and in Yerevan - the 98th Guards Airborne Division. The 39th separate air assault brigade entered Nagorno-Karabakh.
Since January 23, airborne units began operations to restore order in other parts of Azerbaijan. In the area of Lenkoran, Priship and Jalilabad, they were carried out jointly with the border troops, who restored the state border.
In February 1990, the brigade returned to its place of permanent deployment.
From March to August 1990, brigade units maintained order in the cities of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
On June 6, 1990, the 104th Parachute Regiment of the 76th Airborne Division, the 56th Airborne Brigade began landing at airfields in the cities of Fergana and Osh, and on June 8 - the 137th Parachute Regiment of the 106th airborne division in Frunze. Having made a march on the same day through the mountain passes of the border of the two republics, the paratroopers occupied Osh and Uzgen. The next day, the 387th separate parachute regiment and units of the 56th airborne brigade took control of the situation in the area of the cities of Andijan and Jalal-Abad, occupied Kara-Suu, mountain roads and passes throughout the conflict territory.
In 1992, in connection with the sovereignization of the republics of the former Soviet Socialist Republic, the brigade was redeployed to the Stavropol Territory, from where it marched to its permanent location in the village of Podgory near the city of Volgodonsk, Rostov Region. The territory of the military camp was a former shift camp for the builders of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, located 3 kilometers from the nuclear power plant.
From December 1994 to August - October 1996, the brigade's combined battalion fought in Chechnya. On November 29, 1994, an order was sent to the brigade to form a consolidated battalion and transfer it to Mozdok. The brigade's artillery division took part in the operation near Shatoi at the end of 1995 - beginning of 1996. In October-November 1996, the combined battalion of the brigade was withdrawn from Chechnya.
In 1997, the brigade was reorganized into 56th Guards Air Assault Regiment, which became part of the 20th Guards Motorized Rifle Division.
In July 1998, by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, in connection with the resumption of construction of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant, the regiment began redeployment to the city of Kamyshin, Volgograd Region. The regiment was stationed in the buildings of the Kamyshinsky Higher Military Construction Command and Engineering School, which was disbanded in 1998.
On August 19, 1999, an air assault detachment from the regiment was sent to reinforce the consolidated regiment of the 20th Guards Motorized Rifle Division and was sent by letter military echelon to the Republic of Dagestan. On August 20, 1999, the air assault detachment arrived in the village of Botlikh. Later he took part in hostilities in the Republic of Dagestan and the Chechen Republic. The battalion tactical group of the regiment fought in the North Caucasus (place of deployment - Khankala).
In December 1999, units of the regiment and the FPS DShMG covered the Chechen section of the Russian-Georgian border.
On May 1, 2009, the air assault regiment again became a brigade. And from July 1, 2010, it switched to a new state and began to be called (light).
It should be noted that over all these years the Battle Banner 56th separate air assault brigade, despite all 4 renamings and 4 reformations of the staff structure, it remained the same. This is the Battle Banner of the 351st Parachute Regiment.
Famous fighters and commanders
- Leonid Vasilyevich Khabarov - battalion commander 4 from the creation of the brigade until April 1980. NS of the brigade from October 1984 to September 1985.
- Evnevich, Valery Gennadievich - chief of staff, and since 1987 - brigade commander.
see also
- Limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan
Alimenko Sergey Vilgelmovich commander of a sapper company
Notes
Links
Portal "THE USSR " | |
Portal "Armed forces" | |
56th ODSB on Wikimedia Commons | |
Project "Russian history" |
- History \ 56 dshbr (Extract from the historical record of the unit)
Afghan War (1979-1989) | ||||
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The legendary 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade is located in the city of Kamyshin, Volgograd Region. The military unit has two official addresses, among which are colloquial names: “red and gray roofs.” The names come from the color of the main barracks, where the soldiers of the 56th Airborne Battalion Division live.
Historical information
The formation arose back in 1943 and has a glorious history during the Patriotic War. The soldiers especially distinguished themselves during the liberation of Hungarian cities from the German invaders. Parts of the paratroopers took part in the famous crossing of the borders of Czechoslovakia.
The soldiers were indispensable in Afghanistan, fulfilling their international duty. They also provided assistance to infantrymen during battles in Chechnya. The permanent deployment to Kamyshin was carried out in 1998.
Interestingly, the base for forming the part is very impressive. On this site was located the famous KKVSKU - a military higher education institution where officers were trained. The university, unfortunately, was disbanded, and the personnel were transferred to the Togliatti and St. Petersburg institutes.
Part composition
After the Great Patriotic War, units were withdrawn from Hungary and were located near Budapest. Starting from 1946, the main location was the city of Tula, and the unit became part of the 38th Guards Airborne Vienna Corps. But already in 1953, the airborne army was completely disbanded.
The personnel were accepted into the 137th Guards Parachute Regiment, located in Ryazan. The soldiers took part in helping the residents of Tashkent after the earthquake, and were also a guarantor of security during civil unrest.
Only in 1997 was the 56th air assault brigade organized and redeployed to the city of Kamyshin. Since 2010, the unit has been named after the Order of Kutuzov and the Order of the Patriotic War.
Purpose of the part
The main purpose of the 56th airborne battalion in Kamyshin is to form a military reserve of trained paratroopers ready to land in the combat zone. By order of the Minister of Defense, to enhance mobility, some are transferred to automotive equipment.
Helicopters are expected to transport personnel; soldiers are deployed fully armed and equipped with parachutes. Military equipment moves under its own power. However, with the help of heavy-duty helicopters, it can be transferred from the air. To achieve this, exercises are regularly held with monthly field trips.
The last large-scale tests were carried out in 2008, when howitzers and GAZ vehicles were airlifted.
Glorious exploits of personnel
In 1999, soldiers on the Russian border with Georgia ensured the protection of Chechen lands. The paratroopers, having landed from the air, completely blocked the mountain passes and trails. The gangs were a complete fiasco in their attempts to bypass the fighters and strike from the Georgian side. Many soldiers were nominated for awards, and mainly the paratroopers prevented mass bloodshed on the border.
Three soldiers of the 56th Airborne Brigade were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for the heroism and courage shown during the military action.
Well-deserved awards
Over its glorious history, the unit has received many awards, both personnel and combined arms. Among the particularly important ones are:
- Guards Battle Banner.
- Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
- Order of Kutuzov, 2nd degree.
- Order of the Red Banner.
- Gratitude of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
The unit's military personnel received many awards for their participation in the Chechen campaign and service in Afghanistan.
Service today
Today, the 56th Airborne Battalion is engaged in training soldiers undergoing military service, and they also undergo it here under contract. In addition to the excellent physical training that a paratrooper must have, personnel are also trained in other skills. For this purpose, trips to the training ground are regularly organized, where combat exercises are held in field conditions close to military ones.
During this time, the soldiers live in tents, provide meals on their own, and are provided with daily rations during trips. According to the military personnel, the food is quite high in calories, varied and tasty. On holidays, fighters are treated to chocolate, pastries and even barbecue.
Most of the soldiers who served in Kamyshin are proud that they belong to the Airborne Forces. The 56th DSB trains paratroopers, so the mandatory program includes parachute jumping. This involves jumping from a helicopter and an airplane. Contract workers who complete the jumping program receive an additional payment to their salary.
Living conditions
Comfortable barracks are provided for accommodation. Recruits, undergoing the “young fighter course”, are separated from the “old-timers” in order to avoid possible conflicts. Then they are combined.
Soldiers are placed in cubicles that are designed for four. The shower is located directly in the block or on the floor. A bathroom is located in each cabin. The room is standard and has bunk beds, bedside tables, a wardrobe and a desk.
Meals are served in the dining room, where the cooks are civilian personnel. For the convenience of soldiers, there is a small store on the territory, however, according to reviews, the cost of products is slightly higher than in city retail outlets.
Information for parents of conscripts
When preparing parcels, remember that it is prohibited to put any medications inside. They will still be taken away during inspection. However, with a doctor's certificate, an inhaler is permitted. If vitamins are needed, they are given to the medical office, and the soldier receives them from the doctor.
The soldier may keep the phone if he does not abuse it. No one will take away a means of communication if they use it only in their free time. It is recommended to write messages to the soldier, and whenever possible, servicemen themselves call their relatives.
If, nevertheless, the phone is taken away, then it is issued on a day off once a week. If unauthorized use of a mobile phone is suspected, the serviceman is called by the commander, and the communication device is confiscated until the end of the proceedings.
Conscripts may go on leave only with their parents, in agreement with their commander. Legal wives can obtain permission. You won't be able to go out with a girl.
Oath
As in any unit, the 56th DSB conducts a ceremonial oath for recruits. For the convenience of relatives, the event is timed to coincide with the weekend, in the morning.
After taking the oath, you can get a leave of absence. If the recruit’s parents come from afar, you can negotiate with the commander about the weekend, up to Tuesday.
Part address
56 DShB in Kamyshin has a double address. The main unit of the Airborne Forces is located in the “gray roofs” on the street. Gorokhovskaya. For postal shipments, the address used is: Kamyshin-10, military unit 74507.
RCBZ units are located on the street. Petrovskaya. For postal items the following address is used: 403871 Volgograd region, Kamyshin-1, post restante.
Kamyshin is located between Volgograd and Saratov. There is no airport, trains run only from Moscow. It is easier to get to the city by bus. They run regularly from Volgograd and Saratov.
Very interesting material about changes in the composition of the 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Airborne Forces, stationed in Kamyshin (Volgograd Region). The brigade is characterized by a new composition: a reconnaissance battalion (mainly on the BTR-82), an air assault battalion on the BMD-2, an air assault battalion on the BMP-2, an air assault battalion on UAZ-3163 vehicles.
The original was taken from a colleague two-wer in Rearmament of the 56th Airborne Brigade
A battalion of the 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Airborne Forces equipped with BMD-2 airborne combat vehicles on the march during a surprise check of the combat readiness of troops of the Central Military District, September 2015 (c) Russian Ministry of Defense
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... in the 13th year, again by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, it was decided to return in particular the 83rd Ussuri Guards Air Assault Brigade, the 11th Air Assault Brigade located in Ulan-Ude. And the 56th Guards Air Assault Brigade, part of the Airborne Forces. All organizational and staffing measures and Airborne Forces commissions were carried out in the established order, these formations dispersed, the commission brigade was accepted into the Airborne Forces, and from now on I will speak primarily for my own, the 56th Guards Air Assault Brigade. We began a new stage of development, we began to receive new models of equipment and weapons, as I already said, in 1914 the first thing we received was a battalion on the BMD-2. The line of GAZ 66 and Ural 4320 vehicles, which were obsolete, was completely replaced by new KamAZ vehicles of the Mustang family. Due to the fact that the Kamaz concern has extensive capabilities and a large product line, it was able to fully satisfy the requirements of the State Defense Order of the Ministry of Defense, and supply to our unit both special vehicles of the military branches and services based on the Kamaz 5350, as well as on-board vehicles, including vehicles with enhanced armor protection. The experience of participating in local armed conflicts showed the need to create new units in military units and formations of the Airborne Forces, and to re-equip existing ones. The Ministry of Defense and the Airborne Forces command decided to make major changes to the staff of our unit in 2016. A reconnaissance battalion was newly formed in the 56th brigade, which promptly received the latest types of weapons and military equipment. Modern “BTR 82 AM”, “A1” snowmobiles, “AM1” all-terrain vehicles. These are unique vehicles that are primarily intended for reconnaissance officers, allowing them to perform reconnaissance missions with high mobility in difficult-to-reach areas. In addition, in 1616, the 2nd Air Assault Battalion also moved from the UAZ 3151 to the modernized BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles. This significantly increased the brigade's combat potential. At the moment, according to the rearmament plan, we are expecting the delivery of new UAZ 3163 vehicles, this is to the third air assault battalion, instead of the UAZ 3151. You all know this car, the “Patriot”; in addition to everything else, we will have a pickup truck, which will ensure the battalion’s maneuverability both when loading into aircraft transport, and when performing raid missions, and, accordingly, maneuvers. All this is directly related to the tasks that our team performs. The re-equipment also affected existing control units; in particular, we are receiving new Andromeda-D complexes in the control company. These tools allow specialists to ensure high maneuverability of control points, and in the shortest possible time to provide all types of communications for controlling subordinate units, as well as conducting electronic reconnaissance, and automatically determining the coordinates of radio emissions. In addition, we are receiving new means of communication, these are radio stations such as “Azart”, which are designed to exchange information in real time, in various conditions. Including in northern, mountainous, desert areas, wooded areas, between ground and air and sea objects. The main advantages of this radio station are portability, multifunctionality, the ability to operate in relay mode, satellite navigation, exchange of navigation information in geographic and rectangular coordinate systems. Possibility of displaying a map of the area directly in the radio station. Determining the location of subscribers and correspondents on it, file exchange, as well as transmission of text messages in real time.
For the reconnaissance unit, we have in service the Strelets communications intelligence complex. Which, as part of modern military equipment, is a unique product of military equipment, and the main control system of the “Warrior” complex of military equipment for military personnel.
How do we train these military personnel? It’s no secret that this is all new; representatives of factories that directly develop this equipment come to us. And together with us, I personally study, and my soldiers study, they conduct classes with us. We train instructors, and then the smart one teaches the illiterate, and so on. If consultation with plant representatives is not enough, then we have a warranty period when a plant representative always comes to us, provides additional assistance, advice, and if necessary, we go to the plant for training.
And I wanted to boast to you about electronic warfare equipment, that in particular, very serious electronic warfare equipment is currently entering service. And it’s no secret that our partners on the other side also have them. But at the moment I can boast that we are much stronger than them. With the arrival of new models of electronic warfare equipment, the range of tasks the brigade can solve has expanded significantly. It became possible to create interference using optical-electronic reconnaissance and aiming means. The range of scouted and suppressed frequencies has expanded, including frequencies with adaptive and software frequency tuning. Last year, retraining was carried out for the full complement of the electronic warfare company of the brigade, on the basis of the interspecific training center for the combat use of electronic warfare troops in Tambov. My company left in full strength, trained on new models, and now we have received the newest models.
Well, the basis... Accordingly, I have such a multifunctional electronic warfare complex Infauna. This is the latest complex that provides group protection against damage from radio-controlled mine-explosive devices. This is a very serious machine, which we have already used in exercises, and we will (inaudible).
Or here’s another car that we just recently received, called “Svet KU”. This is a mobile means of radio engineering control and protection of information from leakage via technical wireless communication channels. This complex allows you to effectively solve the main tasks of technical control of troops at military facilities and samples of military equipment. Allows you to completely block all communications at a distance, let’s say 60 kilometers from this complex, and also control it if necessary.
The electronic warfare company is constantly engaged in combat training, we try to influence our own means with our own means, this is successful, and we practice it constantly.
My brigade is currently staffed by almost 70% contract soldiers.
And I will say, if you take the year 96, 97 - the conscripts who came to serve, and who are now going to serve, these are two different contingents, absolutely. Firstly, our conscripts who are enrolling now, they... I’m not afraid of this word, they are more educated. In my conscription, about 40% have secondary vocational education, which, strictly speaking, was not always the case before. And I will say, people’s eyes light up at the word Airborne Forces, they want to become strong, strong, to learn what the senior call has.
The shock unit, I will briefly give some definition, is the most combat-ready unit. There are a number of relevant criteria for it. Firstly, in a strike unit, combat training must be carried out at a high methodological level, and accordingly the results must not be lower than a good rating. In addition, the personnel of shock units must be disciplined; crimes, any kind of incidents, losses, or shortages are never allowed in the shock unit. In addition, the strike unit must be 100% equipped with equipment, weapons, and supplies. In accordance with the order of the commander of the Airborne Forces, my first parachute battalion was nominated for this high designation of “shock”, and literally a month and a half ago it was checked by the General Staff Commission, where the Chief of the General Staff was asked to consider our battalion as a shock battalion. Therefore, I hope that some document will be released in the near future, and we will congratulate the battalion commander on the honorary title of “shock”, on his conferment.
Unfortunately, in recent years, in the “Military Council” program, invited military men 99% of the time talked about showers, physical bonuses, the desire of conscripts to serve, contract recruitment and the whole bunch of competitions that were hung on all branches and types of troops. The conversations were similar to each other like twins, not differing in information content. Thanks to Colonel Valitov of the Guard for being able to do more than just the “mandatory program”.
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From November 1985 to August 1987.
in Afghanistan, commander of the Guards 56th separate air assault brigade (56 air assault brigade)May 4, 1985 - by decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces, the brigade was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, No. 56324698.
Born on February 25, 1949 in the city of Khyrov, Lviv region, (where I later served) - November 17, 2014.
In 1969 he graduated from the Odessa Higher Military Artillery School,
Served in the 111th Guards. air assault regiment in positions from platoon commander to deputy. chief of staff of the regiment.
From 1981 to 1982 - 111 Airborne Regiment (military unit 89933) promotion from chief of staff to deputy regiment commander.
to the Military Academy named after M. V. Frunze,
From 1982 to 1983 - Chief of Staff - Deputy Commander of the 1318th Airborne Regiment (military unit 33508),
from 1983 to 1985 - commander of the 1318th airborne assault rifle (Borovukha-1), Belarusian SSR, Polotsk
from 1985 to 1987 - commander of the 56th airborne assault brigade
from 1987 to 1989 - commander of the 38th Special Airborne Brigade (Brest) military unit 92616 of the Vienna Guards Order of the Red Star
As it turned out, then Lieutenant Raevsky received his first military order in peacetime. There is a joke in the army about this: “Earning the Order of the Red Star in peacetime is the same as covering an embrasure with your chest.” Thanks to this award, Vitaly entered the Frunze Moscow Military Academy without competition.
Colleagues recall that once during a jump, regiment commander Vitaly Raevsky received a severe injury - a fracture of the spine. But as soon as I felt better, I returned to the regiment.
Participant in combat operations in Afghanistan (1985-1987), where he commanded the 56th separate air assault brigade. He was seriously wounded, a second group war invalid.
The armored personnel carrier in which Raevsky was located was literally torn to pieces. A land mine in a plastic container, planted by the Mujahideen at great depths, went off. They threw carrion on top so that the dogs would not smell the explosives. By some miracle, Raevsky survived, having received a fracture of the base of the skull, a severe concussion, numerous wounds, fractures, and temporarily lost his sight. Doctors collected Raevsky literally piece by piece.
And again the struggle with death. I wasn't afraid to die. It was much worse to remain blind and helpless, to be left out of a full life. And as soon as the doctors informed Vitaly Anatolyevich that his vision was not lost, he realized: he would be able to return to people, to his favorite job. And he returned.
Upon recovery, after being seriously wounded in Afghanistan, he continued to serve -commanded a division of the Airborne Forces of the North-Western Group of Forces, took an active part in the organization and formation of the Airmobile Forces of Ukraine,
in 1991 - graduated from the Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR.
1991 to 1992 commanded 242 Airborne Training Center . (in past 44th Gaizhunai Training Airborne Division 44 Airborne Internal Affairs Directorate) center control (military unit 20192), Gaizhunai village, Lithuanian SSR
1992 to 1993 - Head of the 95th Training Center of the Airmobile Forces of Ukraine
1993 -1998 - Head of the Airmobile Forces Directorate of the Main Directorate of Ground Forces of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Chiefs of the airmobile troops of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
During his service in the Airborne Forces he carried out over 500 parachute jumps from various types of airplanes and helicopters.
From October 1999 to February 2000 V. A. Raevsky, after leaving the Armed Forces of Ukraine, worked as Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Ukraine for Veterans Affairs
Member of the Ukrainian Union of Afghanistan Veterans (Internationalist Warriors).
Chairman of the International Charitable Foundation "Gardeza", member of the Coordination Council for the social and legal protection of military personnel, persons discharged from military service into the reserve or retired and members of their families, ( Since 2005 - Vice-President of the Ukrainian Fund for Social Guarantees for Military Personnel and Armed Forces Veterans) on issues of social and legal protection of military personnel discharged from military service into the reserve or retired, and members of their families.
He took an active part in the public life of the country, in the military-patriotic education of youth.
Since 10.1999 Until 02.2000, Vitaly Anatolyevich served as deputy chairman of the Committee on Affairs of War Veterans and Military Conflicts in Foreign Countries under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Since 02.2000 - Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Ukraine for Veterans Affairs. November 14, 2005 - was dismissed from this position due to... the liquidation of the Committee
On November 21, 2005, at about eleven in the evening, he was beaten and robbed in the entrance of his own house.
For courage and heroism shown during the performance of international duty, conscientious and impeccable service, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, Red Star, “For service to the Motherland in the USSR Armed Forces III degree”, “For service to Batkivshchyna”, Bohdan Khmelnitsky II and III degrees, personalized firearms, more than 30 medals, awards from non-governmental organizations and foreign countries.
Married. There are three children.
Author of the book "Between Past and Future". text
Many articles.
The Union of Russian Paratroopers expresses sincere condolences to family and friends, veteran paratroopers, and comrades in connection with their bereavement.
The bright memory of Vitaly Anatolyevich Raevsky will forever remain in our hearts.
Farewell to Vitaly Anatolyevich Raevsky will take place
November 19, 2014 from 9.00 to 10.00 in the funeral hall of the Main Clinical Hospital of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and with 11.00 to 13.00 at the Central House of Officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
They'll bury him at 14.00 at the Berkovetsky military cemetery (Lukyanovka) Kiev.
Condolences and assistance to the family can be provided:
To home address: 02068, Kiev. Dragomanova str., 15 "A", apartment 122 Raevskaya Valentina Vasilievna or atcard No. 4073606700321514, Raevskaya Valentina Vasilievna
DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE About the recognition of V. Raevsky as the intercessor of the Head of the State Committee of Ukraine among the right veterans
Designate Vitaly Anatoliyovich RAIVSKY as the intercessor of the Head of the State Committee of Ukraine among the right veterans. President of Ukraine L. KUCHMA m. Kiev, 9th 2000 N 189/2000
Decree of the President of Ukraine About the release of V. Raevsky from the imprisonment of the intercessor of the Head of the State Committee of Ukraine from the right veterans
Release RAEVSKY Vitaly Anatoliyovich from the seat of the intercessor of the Head of the State Committee of Ukraine from the right veterans in contact with the liquidation Committee.
On the dismissal of V. Raevsky from the post of Deputy Chairman of the State Committee of Ukraine for Veterans Affairs
President of Ukraine Presidential Decree No. 1604/2005 dated November 14, 2005, valid from November 14, 2005
About awarding a Certificate of Honor to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
RAEVSKY - intercessor of the head of Sovereign Vitaly Anatoliyovich to the committee of the right veterans
11.03.2005 14:50
MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINE APPOINTED A. STETSENKO AND V. RAEVSKY AS HIS AS VOLUNTARY ADVISERS
The head of the Ukrainian defense department, Anatoly Gritsenko, by his orders appointed Vitaly Raevsky and Alexander Stetsenko as advisers to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine on a voluntary basis. The Defense Express agency was informed about this on March 11 in the Office of the Press Service of the Ministry of Defense.
One of the operations carried out by the Airborne Brigade under the command of Raevsky in April 1987 became a classic example of the use of the Airborne Forces in the fight against the bases of illegal armed groups.
On April 12, 1987, having flown by helicopter, the paratroopers landed at dawn at the Melava base of the illegal armed formations in Nangarhar province. The gentlemen quickly occupied the heights and captured the base in a matter of minutes. The dushmans, taken by surprise, were unable to resist. Over the course of the last 24 hours, military operations were carried out to destroy the dushmans in this area.
Losses in the brigade: 2 killed, 3 wounded. Dozens of dushmans were destroyed, a large number were captured in weapons, military personnel, only PCs - tens of thousands.
“Our paratroopers accomplished many feats on Afghan soil. And there are legends about the night landing in the mountains of an entire brigade. Have I ever heard that they even want to include this operation in a textbook on airborne tactics?
— Indeed, the most unique operation carried out by the airborne troops in Afghanistan was the night landing, as they say, right in the lair of the Dushman gang. This is generally a rather complicated operation. But no one dared to land soldiers at night, especially in the mountains. (By the way, during the Great Patriotic War, on the orders of Marshal Zhukov, during the operation to cross the Dnieper, a brigade of paratroopers was dropped at night on the right, “German” bank of the river. The results were disastrous - almost all 500 paratroopers died or were captured. - - Author)
However, the situation was such that we had to take a risk. The fact is that all planned operations were coordinated with the Afghan military. But from them even secret information often got to the dushmans, and they were ready for our attacks. Then, by secret order, we hid the plans for the upcoming operation from the Afghans, since the cost of information leakage was too high: the largest base was located in the mountains, where the dushmans concentrated thousands of tons of ammunition. Looking ahead, I will say that after the operation, when the trophies were counted, there were about 800 tons of rockets alone at the base.
At the appointed time, about thirty helicopters with paratroopers and about the same number of combat escort vehicles took off. It still remains incomprehensible to me how, in the dark and in the mountains, the pilots were able to fly to the landing site without mistakes or losses. It should be taken into account that by that time (1987) third and even fourth class pilots began to be sent to Afghanistan (in the first years of the war, pilots no lower than second class were sent there).
The operation was planned literally in seconds. Ten minutes before the landing, the Dushmans’ base was hit by long-range artillery and rocket launchers. The blow turned out to be so powerful and unexpected that the dushmans were completely demoralized. Soon the paratroopers entered the battle. There were about five hundred of us, and, as it turned out later, there were at least three thousand dushmans at the base. However, despite this, in a short night battle, our soldiers, as they say, gave them a light. Only at the base itself after the end of the battle we counted more than one hundred killed Mujahideen. Our soldiers lost only two comrades. True, at first they decided that there were three: one of the sergeants, who had been shot through by a bullet, only began to show signs of life in the helicopter that was taking away the dead. The guy, thank God, survived.
— They say that you have more than once become the hero of “hot” reports from the scene of events by the famous television journalist Leshchinsky - at that time the most popular reporter who prepared materials about Afghanistan.
— By the way, an interesting episode with Leshchinsky occurred on the third day of our stay at the base. We consolidated our position and prepared our positions. Suddenly a helicopter lands. It turned out that Leshchinsky had arrived to film a “hot” report, although three days had already passed since the battle. Leshchinsky was not at all upset by this. He quickly began to organize the surroundings: he lit a fire, found some old kettle, hung it over the fire and asked a couple of soldiers to start shooting at a signal, creating the appearance of a battle. And the camera started working. “We are reporting,” said Leshchinsky, “from the battlefield. Just a few minutes ago the Dushman base was destroyed. You see, the fire where the Mujahideen were heating tea had not yet gone out. But the battle is still going on." Then the soldiers began to shoot, and Leshchinsky began to take cover, as if afraid of getting hit by bullets. This is how “hot” reports from Afghanistan were often made."