218th Special Forces Battalion of the Airborne Forces. Airborne Special Forces - an elite unit of the airborne troops

Something has definitely begun to change in our country and yesterday, it’s like small miracle for our system.
On the initiative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation yesterday in the 45th airborne regiment A press show of the regiment for bloggers was held in Kubinka. Can you believe it? Me not. But yesterday we were with Kostya k_titov , Vesti film crew and small group invited bloggers visited a specialized reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, where they spent almost the whole day. We filmed everything we saw and listened carefully to the officers, who with justifiable pride told and showed us the military affairs in every detail.
In addition, this is one of the most closed parts; there are almost no journalists there.

First use airborne assault in the history of military affairs happened back in the spring of 1929. In the city of Garm, besieged by the Basmachi, a group of armed Red Army soldiers was dropped from the air and, with the support of local residents, defeated a gang that had invaded the territory of Tajikistan from abroad.

The 45th Guards Separate Reconnaissance Regiment of Airborne Special Forces is a unique unit that has no analogues not only in the Airborne Forces, but in all of the Russian Armed Forces.
Being the youngest (formed in 1994), the regiment is one of the most combative today: its soldiers and officers fought in both “Chechen” companies, visited other hot spots, and also participated in the recent war in South Ossetia and were the first to fly to Kyrgyzstan to protect people and objects related to the Russian Federation.

We were met by the press secretary of the Airborne Forces, Colonel Alexander Cherednik.
A very competent and smart guy, he babysat us all day :)

During the existence of the regiment, the title of Hero was awarded for courage and heroism Russian Federation was awarded to 7 military personnel, over 100 people were awarded orders, and more than 300 were awarded medals.

There is a church on the territory of the regiment, where many of the priests themselves former soldiers, and some sometimes jump with a parachute themselves. Imagine, you are loading onto a plane with your company and then a priest comes in with a parachute :)
Although it is convenient to determine from the flying cross nearby whether the dome has opened or not.

According to tradition, the visit begins with laying flowers at the monument to the fallen soldiers of the regiment.

During the existence of the regiment, 35 soldiers and officers were lost.

The greatest losses, 12 people at once, occurred when one of the groups came under heavy mortar fire in Chechnya.
You can’t run away from a crowbar, you can’t escape from a mortar, despite all the skills and abilities.

Elective in hand-to-hand combat.

Signalmen.

We were taken to the training ground, where we were shown training in overcoming an obstacle course, close to combat.
In general, when you get from peaceful life V military unit(for example, when you come to someone for an oath), usually you don’t see anything special. People just walk around in uniform and that’s it.
But when you look at these guys, it’s immediately clear that they’re here for a reason and don’t paint the leaves on the birch trees all day long.

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#14 While some fighters are preparing to go through the lane, others have prepared so that they don’t get bored.
The strip is mined with training charges.

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#16 Some guys asked that their faces not be filmed. I think they have their own good reasons for this.
But just in case, they pulled on their masks.

#17 Let's go.

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I’m not an expert, of course, but it seemed to me that the guys were well prepared.
Everything is fast, clear, without any hitches.
In general, bloggers should have been allowed on this page, for contrast. I think we would have made it back in time for the evening, although it’s not a fact that we would be in full force :)

#32 After the obstacle course, we approached the laying room, which was located right next to it.
Alexander Anatolyevich himself has more than 200 jumps, so he personally explained the installation procedure and, in general, what’s what. He himself served in this regiment and knows it firsthand.

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#38 Next we went to the shooting range, near which we were shown the Airborne Forces arsenal.
Unfortunately, I have almost no knowledge of weapons, so I won’t dwell on this in detail.
I looked through the optical sight and twirled Veresk in my hands (it’s light, perfect for a photographer)
Then he asked Alexander Anatolyevich why the approach on a heavy rifle optical sight less than a light automatic?
“So the rifle is more accurate, you don’t need to aim hard, you see that you’ll hit, you press and it goes. But this one has a light sighting range 300-400 meters, here we need to be more precise"
Oh how. Everything is logical, but all my life I thought it was the other way around.

#39 Combined blade. It’s not convenient to shoot, but you can hit it, and it certainly demoralizes the enemy :)

#40 Soldiers learn to lie down correctly, practice sequences of actions, but so far without ammunition.

#41 Kostya is twirling in his hands exactly the rifle I was talking about. Looking for where to set the shutter speed and aperture.

#42 Then we went to the shooting range.

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#46 So I’m taking pictures and thinking, it would be nice in the photo if the guys were now given the order to fry them simultaneously from all the guns in bursts, beautiful! Someone seemed to ask too.

#47 The officers looked at each other doubtfully and ordered to shoot individually and in order.
It's good that smart people in the army there is!
When a Pecheneg hammers a meter away from you in a closed room, it’s a bitch.
But after 15 minutes the hearing returned.

#48 After the shooting range, we went to see how the soldiers were being prepared for jumps.

#49 Everything must be worked out until it becomes automatic.

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#51 Troops often leave the plane very close to each other; actions when approaching another canopy must also be worked out to the smallest detail. And the landing parachute is not easy to control. I myself once jumped from a D-5, the instructions took us 10 minutes. Therefore, the ratio of deaths during jumping is 1 army soldier per 10 DOSAAF soldiers.

#52 The instructors speak very clearly and quietly, no one yells. Under such circumstances, soldiers listen very carefully. :)

#53 Practicing getting out of the plane.
This is the training, the fighter does everything correctly, you need to look forward, and not at your feet.

#54 We started preparing the parachute tower.

#55 Kostyan and I immediately signed up as volunteers. Although injuries were minimally possible there and most likely we would have been lowered smoothly, there were concerns about broken legs (we are not paratroopers, no one trained us for so long)
But at the most crucial moment, the wind changed treacherously, the tower itself turned around and it became impossible to jump, because there was a risk of hitting the structures below.

#56 Landing practice. Look at the bridge, this is exactly the load when landing from the D-5 (it descends at a speed of 5 meters per second), this corresponds to a simple jump from such a height, try it. And if you really want to feel like a paratrooper, put on another 40 kg of some kind of weight.

#57 Another simulator, practicing getting out of a helicopter.

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#59 Ring!

#60 Contact:)

#61 Bloggers also decided to try themselves. Scary! What did you think? Of course it's scary.
I didn’t dare take the risk; it would be difficult to explain to my clients the cancellation of filming.

#62 Then we went to see the barracks. I almost didn’t take pictures there, but everything was clean and tidy, more like a hotel. As they explained to us, it is very difficult to force a contract soldier to sleep on a bunk bed again after military service.

#63 The main weapon of the country is also in full combat mode.

#64 Then we were shown the full equipment of the paratrooper. There's NOT A LITTLE!
I don't remember everything, I'll show you combat unit. The rest is easy to find out or ask, I’ll remember.

#65 Night sight. On ordinary batteries, and not with a “car” battery.

Almost every army has units or troops special purpose. Russian special forces Airborne Forces is a special Airborne Forces regiment, designed to perform various specific operations, part of the Russian Airborne Forces. The 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment was renamed the 45th in 2015 separate brigade Airborne special forces.

The history of the emergence of airborne special forces

During the Soviet era, there were not only no special forces, but also no specialized units. The first Russian special forces unit appeared only in 1994. Although about special forces in Soviet time There were many legends; in fact, dangerous missions were carried out by airborne troops, and secret missions were carried out mainly by scouts and secret agents.

The 45th Airborne Special Forces Regiment was formed in February 1994, specifically to eliminate gangs in Chechnya. In 1995, when the entire regiment was withdrawn from Chechnya, it had already demonstrated its effectiveness in battle.

In 1997, the 45th Special Forces Regiment received Active participation in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, for which he received the Battle Banner and a certificate of the Order of Kutuzov. With the resumption of hostilities in Chechnya from 1999 to 2006, detachments of the regiment actively participated in many military operations against terrorists and bandits.

Although the history of the Airborne Special Forces Regiment begins in 1994, it has already managed to cover itself with glory, since many of its soldiers and officers are Heroes of the Russian Federation.

Weapons and equipment of airborne special forces

Since the airborne special forces solve very specific and complex tasks, then its weapons and equipment are of higher quality and more varied than the standard weapons of the Airborne Forces (which is already one of the best in Russian army). Such weapons require enormous funding. Airborne special forces fighters often use types of weapons that are practically inaccessible to other types of rifle troops.

Weapons most often used by airborne special forces:

• SVD is a famous sniper rifle. Although this weapon is not something outstanding, many veterans of the airborne special forces are accustomed to using this particular model sniper rifle. With this rifle, some skilled snipers even managed to shoot down planes, hitting their pilot;
• Currently SVD rifle supplants the Vintorez, which is a silent model of a sniper rifle. A powerful “sniper” not only allows you to hit targets that are located at significant distances from the shooter, but is also capable of penetrating a modern steel helmet at a distance of up to 400 meters. First combat applications sniper rifle "Vintorez" were recorded for the first time Chechen company. This weapon is in service only with airborne special forces units; other types of troops do not have access to this weapon;
• The Steyr automatic rifle is also used by airborne special forces. Although this weapon is different at a high price, the scope of its application is quite wide. The Steyr rifle has the ability to install and use an under-barrel grenade launcher, which is often necessary when performing special tasks. The use of such combined weapons makes it possible to do without a standard grenade launcher, which can significantly reduce the mobility of an airborne special forces group performing a special mission. Although the Steyr rifle only recently appeared among the standard weapons of the Airborne Special Forces, the soldiers rightfully appreciated its reliability and versatility;
• The AS Val silent assault rifle entered service back in Soviet times. At the end of the 80s, they were recommended for use by special forces when performing various sabotage missions requiring silence and stealth. AS "Val" is equipped with a sniper and night sight, and its transportation is most often carried out in a compact case. The time required to assemble and prepare the AS “Val” for firing takes no more than 1 minute;
• The main assault rifle of the Russian army, the AK, is also used by airborne special forces. True, these are not ordinary modifications that are used in the Russian army, but export models of the hundredth series. Most often, airborne special forces use the AK-103, which, in addition to being better built, uses a caliber of 7.62x39 mm;
• For sudden operations, for which it is impossible to take large models of weapons, they most often take the AK-74M, which has a folding stock, the ability to use a sight and an under-barrel grenade launcher. In some cases, special forces soldiers use a shortened model from the line small arms Kalashnikov - AKS-74. At close ranges, this model is practically not inferior in performance to standard Kalashnikov assault rifles;
• Naturally, the most popular machine gun, both for the entire Russian army and for the airborne special forces, is the Kalashnikov machine gun. Developed back in the 60s of the 20th century, it has not yet lost its popularity. There are many variants of PCs that are used both for infantry and for installation on combat vehicles. Airborne special forces use the latest modification of the Kalashnikov machine gun - PKM, which is lighter in weight and easier to use. There is also a “night” version of the modernized Kalashnikov machine gun, which is called PKMN;
• More modern model The machine gun that is in service with the Airborne Special Forces is the Pecheneg machine gun. This model- not just a modification of the PKM, but a truly new model, the basis for the creation of which was the PKM. This machine gun is suitable not only for shooting at enemy personnel, but also for hitting transport and even air targets. The Pecheneg machine gun is exported to the CIS and Eastern countries;
• For operations to free hostages, they use the AN-95 Abdukan assault rifle, which in appearance resembles a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Its main difference from the Kalash is the incredible accuracy and accuracy of shots. At a distance of 100 meters, an experienced sniper is able to hit the same point with two shots. In hostage rescue operations, lives often depend on the accuracy of the fighters who participate in their rescue. The AN-95 Abdukan assault rifle can significantly reduce the mortality rate of hostages in such operations, since several accurate shots can quickly eliminate terrorists;
• In addition to small arms, airborne special forces often use grenades. The most common is the RPG-26. This type of rocket-propelled grenades, which were developed back in the mid-80s, has still not lost its relevance and is effective means to destroy enemy equipment and fortifications. Since the range of applications for these grenades is very wide, they are used different types troops of the Russian Federation.

In addition to the above weapon models, airborne special forces also receive the latest designs equipment that is developed taking into account the specifics of special forces combat missions.

Specifics of special forces

Since the implementation of special tasks assigned to the airborne special forces requires specialized weapons, equipment and equipment, the funding allocated for the needs of the special forces differs significantly in big side. The training of personnel is particularly thorough, and specialists are trained only in the best training centers, under the guidance of veteran instructors. In addition, joint international exercises are being carried out, in which special forces different countries exchanges combat experience.

Service in the airborne special forces is carried out, as a rule, under a contract, which is concluded for at least 3 years. This is explained by the fact that almost every special forces soldier is a highly qualified specialist in some field, and a huge amount of money is invested in him during training, and the departure of such a soldier can disrupt the entire established structure in the detachment, where each soldier clearly performs his own tasks. For example, having lost a mining specialist, the squad will spend much more time penetrating the militants’ hideout, which can cost the life of the entire squad, as it will give the bandits the opportunity to prepare for an attack.

Tasks that airborne special forces must solve

The main task of special forces is to completely demoralize the enemy. Suddenly appearing behind enemy lines, experienced fighters who have excellent training are capable of causing significant damage to the enemy in a matter of minutes. Seeing how a small squad can easily cope with multiple superior forces, the enemy loses faith in victory and easily turns into panic. The task of the regular troops at this moment is to support the special forces and occupy the captured positions.

In addition, airborne special forces are capable of carrying out sabotage activities behind enemy lines, organizing resistance units and “luring” civilians to their side. For this purpose, airborne special forces units not only undergo special psychological training, but also have mobile television stations capable of providing broadcasting within a radius of about 10 kilometers.

IN Peaceful time There is also a lot of work for airborne special forces fighters. In addition, Russian special forces annually take part in competitions that take place among special forces of the leading countries of the world. Russian special forces constantly take first place, beating both the famous Green Berets and British special forces.

The training of airborne special forces is still at its best, but every year it becomes more and more difficult to recruit recruits. There are plenty of people willing, but it is quite difficult to choose the worthy ones among them. If previously each applicant had sports category(often even in several sports), now such recruits are quite rare.

How to get into the airborne special forces

Those applicants who want to join the Airborne Special Forces must have already served compulsory military service and have high health indicators, which are required for future special forces. After passing the medical examination, applicants are subjected to a variety of tests to determine mental health and readiness to serve in special forces.

The most calm and balanced applicants are taken as snipers or sappers, the rest are assigned to military professions according to their temperament and psychological stability. Those applicants who do not pass the tests are offered service in other parts of the Russian army.

After selection, training begins, which no more than 40 percent of applicants pass. If after the exercise there are too few people left, free places are filled by the best Airborne Forces fighters who performed excellently during their military service. Such a strict selection leads to the fact that after a year of training, fighters are already experts in using various types weapons and special devices. The best airborne special forces fighters are true universal soldiers, although almost each of them is better at some military profession than others.

In the short time that the Airborne Special Forces have existed, its officers and soldiers have managed to take part in all the military conflicts in which Russia was drawn. Until now, airborne special forces fighters are the most elite warriors Army of the Russian Federation. Numerous medals and orders awarded to soldiers and officers of the Airborne Special Forces serve as clear proof of this.

Among the divisions domestic special forces Airborne Forces, 45th Separate Guards Order of Kutuzov Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Purpose Regiment, or military unit No. 28337, occupies a special place. Firstly, some of them belong to the elite special forces troops, which are almost completely transferred to a contract basis. Secondly, there is simply enormous competition among conscripts who want to join the ranks of military unit 28337. And thirdly, the 45th Special Purpose Regiment is the youngest of the composition Russian Airborne Forces Federation.

History of military unit 28337

The military unit, formed on the basis of two separate battalions in February 1994, is currently stationed in the city of Kubinka, Moscow Region (formerly an academic campus). In 2007, the unit was reorganized into the linear 218th special forces battalion, but in 2008 the name of the 45th separate guards regiment was returned to it.
Despite the fact that military unit 28337 was formed 10 years ago, its soldiers and officers took part in the fighting in Chechnya and South Ossetia (August 2008).

Youth competitions are regularly held at the base of the military unit. The special forces group, formed on the basis of the regiment, has also been participating in international competitions between special forces units since 1995. The military unit regularly conducts demonstrations in parachute jumping and hand-to-hand combat at events in Moscow and the region.

Awards
1996 – 3rd place in the overall competition of the Partnership for Peace program (Bulgaria);

1997 – champion of the “Partnership for Peace” program competition (Bulgaria);
2005 – Challenge Battle Banner, rank “Guards”, Order of Alexander Nevsky (from the disbanded 119th Guards Parachute Regiment);
February 2011 – Order of Kutuzov “For the successful completion of combat missions of the command and the courage and heroism shown by the regiment personnel.”

Reviews of military unit 28337

Currently, there are practically no soldiers on active duty in military unit 28337; it is being transferred to a contract basis. The contract is concluded for a period of three years, the criteria for selecting fighters are moral, physical and psychological preparation, as well as the ability to respond in difficult environments and the desire to serve in special conditions.

In order to enter into a contract for military service in the 45th Guards Regiment, the candidate is required to:

Be between 18 and 40 years old and have Russian citizenship;
Have a certificate of form A-1 for health reasons;
Submit a report or statement of desire to serve in the Airborne Special Forces, indicating the unit;
Arrive at the unit itself and undergo an interview with the regiment commander and the head of the personnel department;
Pass tests on physical training(standards for pull-ups, cross-country, etc.);
Pass the psychological tests on service compatibility special units Airborne Forces

Such demands do not stop almost anyone - military unit 28337, judging by the reviews, even attracts girls. True, few people want to go to “hot spots” and pass physical training standards, but there are plenty of people who want to work in a first-aid post, as a psychologist or as a radio operator in the unit.
Those rare representatives of the fair sex who serve in the ranks of the 45th Separate Guards Regiment undergo the same training as men and live in similar conditions. However, many contract soldiers with families are provided with housing in the garrison.

The paratroopers do not have part of the barracks; its function is performed by the soldiers' dormitory. It consists of several blocks (two adjacent rooms, designed for 4-6 people in each). The soldiers' dormitory has showers, toilets, Gym, recreation room and classrooms for military training.
Eyewitnesses say that military unit 28337 currently includes two battalions. One of them is engaged in providing support for the regiment, and the second is training fighters.
Those who served in the military unit also note that talking on the phone with relatives in the evening is allowed here.
For the period of classes Cell phones are with the company commander.
Shoes are issued along with the uniform, but you can purchase them yourself. Jumping boots made by foreign armies are permitted.

As for classes, special forces paratroopers of military unit 28337 master not only practical skills, but also a theoretical course in military affairs. However, more attention is paid to the physical training of soldiers, for example, forced marches over long distances, when soldiers carry equipment and equipment on themselves.
The specific operating conditions of the unit require knowledge of certain military equipment and weapons. Therefore how domestic models machine guns, and the collection of captured weapons from the Armored Museum in Kubinka are carefully studied by soldiers. The military unit also trains intelligence officers, so field exercises are regularly held.

The youngest unit in the Russian Airborne Forces is the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment, the formation of which began in February 1994.
The regiment was formed on the basis of two separate battalions, each of which had its own history of formation and development before being included in the regiment.
The 901st separate air assault battalion was formed on the territory of the Transcaucasian Military District and was immediately transferred to Czechoslovakia as part of the Central Group of Forces, where from November 20, 1979 it was stationed in the village. Riečki village. In March 1989, in connection with the withdrawal Soviet troops from of Eastern Europe, the battalion was redeployed to the city of Aluksne, Latvian SSR and transferred to the Baltic Military District. In May 1991, the battalion was transferred to the Transcaucasian Military District and redeployed to Sukhumi, Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In August 1992, the battalion was transferred from the subordination of the Transcaucasian Military District to the subordination of the headquarters of the Airborne Forces and was renamed the 901st separate parachute battalion; later, as a separate battalion, it was transferred to the 7th Guards Airborne Division, but the city of Sukhumi remained its permanent location.
In 1993, during Georgian-Abkhaz conflict The battalion carried out tasks for the protection and defense of important military and government facilities on the territory of Abkhazia from looting and destruction. During this period, eight soldiers of the battalion died, having fully fulfilled their military duty, and about twenty people were injured. For completing combat missions, 13 people were awarded the Order "For Personal Courage", 21 people - the Medal "For Courage" and 1 person - the Medal "For Military Merit".
In October 1993, the battalion was redeployed from Sukhumi to the Moscow region, where in February next year was reorganized into the 901st separate battalion special purpose. With the beginning of the formation of a special-purpose regiment, the battalion was included in its composition.
The 218th separate special forces battalion of the Airborne Forces was formed on July 25, 1992. By order of the Commander of the Airborne Forces, in order of historical continuity, the day of formation of the 45th regiment is usually considered the day of formation of this battalion.
The battalion took part as peacekeeping forces in the zones interethnic conflicts in Transnistria in June-July 1992, in North Ossetia in September-November 1992, in Abkhazia - in December 1992. Many soldiers of the battalion were awarded state awards for courage and heroism.
The active use of this battalion in solving special tasks in various conflicts showed the need to form other special forces units with similar tasks as part of the Airborne Forces and their unification into a regiment. By July 1994, the regiment was fully formed, equipped with personnel, equipment, and began combat training.
On December 2, 1994, the regiment’s personnel left for North Caucasus to participate in the liquidation of illegal armed groups on the territory of the Chechen Republic.
From December 12, 1994 to January 25, 1995, reconnaissance groups and special forces (assault detachments) from the regiment, in cooperation with airborne units, took part in combat operations to capture the most important enemy targets, including in the city of Grozny.
On February 12, 1995, units of the regiment returned to their permanent deployment points. On March 15, 1995, the combined detachment of the regiment again arrived in Chechnya, continuing to carry out combat missions until June 13, 1995. During this period, as a result of competent military operations, there were no losses in the regiment.
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated July 21, 1995, the commander of the special-purpose reconnaissance group, Senior Lieutenant V. K. Ermakov, was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously) for the courage and heroism shown during the execution of a special task of the command to disarm illegal armed groups. On July 30, 1995, a monument in honor of the fallen scouts was unveiled on the territory of the unit in a solemn ceremony.
On May 9, 1995, for services to the Russian Federation, the regiment was awarded a diploma from the President of the Russian Federation. The regiment took part in the parade dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany.
From February to May 1997, the combined detachment of the regiment took part in a peacekeeping mission in the separation zone of the Georgian and Abkhaz armed forces in the city of Gudauta.
On July 26, 1997, following the glorious traditions of the Armed Forces, the regiment was awarded the Battle Banner and Certificate of the 5th Guards Airborne Rifle Order of Kutuzov 3rd Class Regiment, disbanded on June 27, 1945, and stored in the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation .
Since September 12, 1999, the regiment's combined reconnaissance detachment took part in the anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.
On the basis of the regiment, youth competitions in military applied sports were repeatedly held among military-patriotic airborne clubs named after. V. F. Margelova. At various public and festive events in Moscow and the Moscow region, demonstration parachute jumps and performances of special forces paratroopers in hand-to-hand combat are held.
Every year since 1995, a special forces group formed on the basis of the regiment takes part in international competitions among special forces from the USA, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia, held in Bulgaria under the Partnership for peace." In 1996, the regiment group took third place in the overall standings, and the following year, 1997, became champions. In the individual competition, the title “Rambo-97” (the official term!) was won by Major of the Russian Airborne Forces Cherny M.P.
By order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, an army holiday was established - "Special Forces Day". On October 24, 2000, special forces celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of special forces companies.
The regiment's paratroopers honorably continue the glorious combat traditions of scouts of all generations, proudly bearing the high guards rank, because it is not for nothing that their motto is: “The strongest wins.”
During the existence of the regiment, five servicemen were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for courage and heroism.

Awarded orders and medals:

• Order of Courage - 79 people
• Order of Military Merit - 17 people
• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" - 3 people
• Medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 2nd class with swords - 10 people
• Medal "For Courage" - 174 people
• Suvorov Medal - 166 people
• Zhukov Medal - 7 people