33rd Guards Separate Special Purpose Detachment Belarus. Belarusian paratroopers

August 2 marked the 85th anniversary of the creation of the Airborne Forces, the successors of which in our country were the special operations forces. Our freelance correspondent met with the commander of the SOF of the Armed Forces of Belarus, Major General Vadim DENISENKO (pictured)

— Comrade Major General, in Belarus, the airborne troops have been transformed into a new branch of the military — special operations forces. What is the fundamental difference?

- With the development of weapons and military equipment the views on the conduct of armed struggle, as well as on the use of the airborne forces, were also transformed. Therefore, it was decided to create in our country on the basis of units of the Airborne Forces a separate branch of the Armed Forces - special operations forces.

Home distinctive feature mtr is what they are in constant readiness for use both in peacetime and in wartime and are designed to solve special tasks in the interests of achieving political, military, economic and psychological goals aimed at preventing escalation or ending the military conflict against the Republic of Belarus. The military units and subunits of the MTR are entrusted with the following tasks: conducting counter-sabotage, reconnaissance and combat operations and conducting special measures. Also, units of the special operations forces are involved in the fight against terrorism, carrying out measures to strengthen the regime of protection of the state border and maintain law and order, together with the personnel of the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

- When creating special operations forces, was it studied whether Foreign experience?

- Of course, but we should not forget that the Belarusian special operations forces were not created from scratch. We had a shock component - well-prepared landing brigades. We reinforced these mobile formations with a reconnaissance component - a special-purpose brigade. Both components were united under a single command - in general, they made the best decision for a country with a small territory and compact mobile Armed Forces.

I must say that today our experience is being carefully studied by other countries.

And when did you realize that you were on the right track?

“In 2004, while working out the tactics of actions, we understood that mobile brigades are mobile, capable of making large marches in any conditions, can be airlifted and deliver serious blows. All this was taken into account by us. A special forces group, capable of operating in any conditions, found the object, and soon a mobile unit arrived at the designated point. The commander of the special forces group, together with the commander of the mobile unit, clarified the decision and carried out the destruction of the object. The following year, we were already confident that we were moving in the right direction. The tactics of our actions were also tested during various large-scale exercises of the Belarusian Armed Forces.

- Do not we reveal all the secrets of the special operations forces in this way?

— This is the tactics of any professional unit in the world. And as for the secrets of mastery, believe me, professionals are very reluctant to share them. And we are no exception here. So let's leave the secrets of mastery outside of this interview.

- The BTR-80 armored personnel carriers have replaced the airborne combat vehicles in the mobile brigades. Also to match the modern look?

- We proceeded from the fact that our units must be very mobile: move at any time and on any roads. And this allows you to do the BTR-80. They contribute to the successful fulfillment of the tasks before us. "Wheels" in our conditions look preferable. Artillery of special operations forces is also on wheels. Today, we are considering the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier, which has more firepower, for re-equipment. In particular, the 30mm automatic cannon will replace the heavy 14.5mm KPVT machine gun.

- Since we touched on the issues of equipping the MTR with modern weapons and military equipment, tell us how seriously it has changed recently?

- Tests of the armored vehicle "Fox" have recently been completed. We decided what changes should be made to its design in order for the vehicle to meet our requirements for it: which combat module to install, how to arrange seats, loopholes ... All this was taken into account in the terms of reference submitted to the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. First of all, the "Foxes" will go to mobile battalions on cars. This year, the newest ORSIS-T5000M sniper rifles, capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 1,500 meters, were put into service. They have become a good addition to the modern sniper rifles VSK-94, OSV-96, MTs-116M.

The troops received high-precision powerful ammunition with an expansive bullet (338 caliber LAPUA MAGNUM), which pierces everything existing funds armor protection (bulletproof vests, helmets of the highest protection classes).

Our military personnel are provided with the most modern means observation and aiming of domestic production: day-night sights DNS-1, night NV / S-18, night monocular NV / M-19, laser designator LAD-21T, collimator sight PK-01VS.

Delivered to the special operations forces and very worthy means of individual armor protection. In particular, the Skat protective helmet, which provides protection against a bullet from a Makarov pistol already at a distance of one meter, the Raven bulletproof vest, capable of protecting against a bullet from an SVD at a distance of ten meters.

Work is underway to ensure and adopt other latest optical sights, ammunition, small arms, tactical and shooting glasses, grenade launchers RPG-32 "Hashim".

Our divisions are provided with reliable communication. On the basis of the Bogatyr vehicle, a modern command and staff vehicle was developed (a means of communication for the commander of the MTR and brigade commanders).

Modern models of weapons and military equipment are supplied to the troops and mastered in the course of combat training. Significantly increased the mobility of payments anti-aircraft installations ZU-23-2 is the modernization of this armament, which is located today along with ammunition on the basis of the Ural-43202 vehicle. In the next two months, we plan to put them in the 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade.

The form of clothing and equipment of the military personnel of the special operations forces is being improved.

We have recently received new ATVs that have been tested in the Armed Forces. In the future, they will be adopted. I must say that this is a very effective technique when performing tasks in forest areas, in swampy areas, on rough terrain ... This was also confirmed by the exercises that took place in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan as part of the test of the CSTO collective rapid response forces.

- Servicemen of the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade are constant participants in such exercises. How important are they to us?

- First of all, it is gaining invaluable experience. We have a lot to learn from Russians, Kazakhs, Tajiks. In these exercises, we always learn something new. And, of course, we learn to interact.

Many other teachings are also of great benefit. For example, the joint Belarusian-Chinese anti-terrorist exercises (trainings) "Swift Eagle". Not so long ago, another such exercise (the third in a row) ended on the basis of the 38th Guards Separate Mobile Brigade.

But the closest cooperation has been established with Russian colleagues. Of the latest joint exercises, a battalion-tactical exercise that took place in the 38th brigade, in which a company of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division took part. Our servicemen showed themselves worthy during the humanitarian search and rescue operation at the North Pole, where they had to perform tasks in difficult climatic conditions. Those who distinguished themselves are presented for state awards. The test at the North Pole has passed both modern uniforms and the equipment of the military personnel of the special operations forces. Many of our novelties were received with interest by the Russians. For example, cargo containers with which our military personnel jumped with a parachute.

- Comrade Major General, what other successes did you remember the jubilee year for?

- In the first half of the year, the command of the special operations forces, as well as units of the 38th and 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigades, successfully passed the inspection of the Ministry of Defense. The MTR team distinguished itself at international competitions for the best special forces group, held in Kazakhstan, where it won a prize. Our servicemen won the competition for the best special purpose sniper pair of the Armed Forces, which was attended by representatives from all law enforcement agencies of our country and teams from Russia and Kazakhstan.

The SSO team won the championship of the Armed Forces in army hand-to-hand combat. The next tests for the right to confer the badge "Valor and Mastery" also showed the increased level of training of our servicemen.

Bilateral battalion tactical exercises were interesting. A very useful event was a joint diving training camp held in Ryazan. Much attention during it was paid to the study of new diving equipment, which is being supplied to the Russian Armed Forces today.

This year, 11 of our servicemen have mastered the most advanced Arbalet parachute systems. They were trained on the basis of the center for special training of the Russian Airborne Forces.

Undoubtedly, the participation of servicemen of the 5th Separate Special Forces Brigade on May 9 at the parade held on Red Square in Moscow was a landmark event. They adequately represented the Belarusian Armed Forces.

Another important event was the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 334th separate special forces detachment, which took place on the basis of the 5th separate special forces brigade.

It's nice that the successes of the special operations forces do not go unnoticed, including at the highest level. This year alone, Colonel Vladimir Bely and Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Smekhovich were awarded the Orders "For Service to the Motherland" III degree by the Head of State for exemplary performance of official duties. Last year, these high awards were awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Sukhovilo and Major Alexei Khuzyakhmetov.

- At all times, service in the "troops blown by all winds" was prestigious. How popular is service in the special operations forces today? Is it in demand among young people?

— We do not experience a shortage of people who want to serve in the special operations forces.

As for the training of officers for our kind of troops, it is carried out at the faculty military intelligence Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus, as well as in the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School of the Ministry of Defense Russian Federation. Training is conducted in two specialties: "Use of mobile units" and "Use of special forces".

The demand for the profession of an officer of the special operations forces is evidenced by the annual competition for admission to the specialty of the MTR. This year, he made up more than two people per place, and for the specialty "Use of special forces" - more than three people per place.

Service in the special operations forces is really prestigious. We are glad to see in our ranks those who have a craving for romance, a desire to see something new, learn a lot and build character.

CHRONICLE

On August 2, 1930, during an exercise near Voronezh, a group of armed paratroopers was shown dropping out. The landing force consisted of twelve people, who were divided into two groups of six paratroopers. The paratroopers were supposed to drop weapons and ammunition from aircraft on special cargo parachutes.

After the successful landing of a group of paratroopers, armed with rifles, light machine guns and grenades, were ready to perform combat missions.

PERSPECTIVES

The main directions of the construction and development of special operations forces of the Armed Forces:

- development and testing of new ways of performing tasks;

- optimization of the organizational structure of formations and military units in accordance with the tasks being solved, as well as taking into account changes in the forms and methods of military confrontation;

- modernization of existing weapons, military and special equipment and equipping with new models of both domestic and foreign production;

- improving the quality of training of specialists for special operations forces;

- beautification of military camps and the creation of housing and living conditions for servicemen that meet modern requirements.

Interviewed by Alexander MAKAROV

In fact, the special forces of the Ministry of the Interior began with Almaz. True, then this unit was called "Berkut", and its main purpose was the organization of prison anti-terror. Similar detachments were created in other Soviet republics.
Today it is a rapid response unit. In 1994, the then head of Berkut and the future Minister of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Naumov, took the initiative to rename the special unit to Almaz. On the basis of the department for correctional affairs of the former republics of the USSR, they urgently began to form a prison anti-terror unit. The order was signed on January 2, 1992. Vladimir Naumov, then the commander of a patrol company, was appointed the first commander of the unit.
The main tasks to be solved at that time were:
- release of hostages;
- detention of armed criminals;
- elimination of disturbances in places of deprivation of liberty.
The forces of the then still small special forces carried out a number of operations to search for and detain dangerous criminals who had escaped from the pre-trial detention centers in Minsk and Brest. The hostages captured by recidivists in the penal colonies of Orsha and Minsk were released, and a mass escape from the colony in Shklov was prevented.
As the nature of crime changed, so did the unit. During this time, there were many different criminal gangs. They started talking about the mafia, thieves' authorities, about the division of territories and spheres of influence. Not limited to the walls of the colonies and Belarusian terrorism. More extensive use of special forces was required. The question of reorganization arose. A review of all special forces units was held, and the best was chosen - Almaz.
Since the autumn of 1994, the unit has been transformed into a special unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus with subordination personally to the minister. The fighters are responsible for carrying out the most difficult tasks: the elimination of terrorist attacks, the release of hostages, the detention of various criminal armed groups.
The history of the name of the special unit is unique - in many countries such formations are still called "Berkut" or "Falcon", and Belarusians have chosen a different path. The new name was not chosen by chance - the diamond symbolizes hardness, purity, nobility. In a memo for fighters, their commander once wrote: "Always remember that a special forces officer must be clean and hard as a diamond."
Over the years of its existence, the SPBT "Almaz" has accumulated vast practical experience, suppressed terrorist attacks and released about 100 hostages, together with the operational units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than five and a half thousand special operations have been carried out to search for and suppress the activities of organized criminal groups and organizations. One of the most resonant events of Almaz was the detention in Minsk of suspects in the murder of Russian journalist Paul Khlebnikov.

Tasks
The main tasks are:
- prevention of terrorist acts;
- detection and neutralization of explosive devices;
- carrying out special measures to detect and detain dangerous armed criminals, to seize counterfeit banknotes, narcotic, chemical and radioactive substances and ammunition;
- ensuring the physical security of the operational staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- conducting search and reconnaissance activities;
- protection of judges and persons of the controlling composition of the republic, high officials states and foreign delegations.
The combat readiness of the unit is evidenced by the following fact: in case of an alarm, the "Almaz" should arrive at the base within 5-7 minutes. And within 20 minutes, reconnaissance and a combat group are sent to the scene anywhere in the country. After another 20 minutes, the second group leaves.
Basically, officers from similar units of the Ministry of Defense, police special forces, security services of the head of state come to Almaz, border troops. As a rule, these are people who have served at least five years and have already participated in special operations. Serve in "Almaz" and women - negotiators and snipers.
The armament corresponds to the armament of other special forces of Belarus.

Loud stories about hazing in the military units of Belarus with terrible endings convinced many that everything is bad in the Belarusian troops. and are even afraid to let their sons go for the passage military service, the future soldiers themselves also tremble a little before the first step into army life, about which recently.

To check whether everything is as bad in the army as ordinary people imagine, a Sputnik correspondent went to the 3rd separate special forces brigade of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in military unit 3214, and spent the whole day with the soldiers of the 8th special forces company - from rise to lights out.

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© Sputnik Irina Petrovich, Sergey Pushkin Military unit 3214: live the life of a commando in one day

Military unit 3214: live the life of a commando in one day

Life on schedule

The whole life of a soldier is strictly subject to the daily routine and schedule, which is compiled for each week by the company commander. Throughout the life of a soldier, a soldier's day consists of a standard set of activities: getting up, exercising, breakfast, combat training, lunch, more classes, cleaning weapons, hand-to-hand combat, dinner, personal time, watching news programs, an evening walk and lights out. This is a normal way of life for the army.

The guys admit that you get used to such a schedule quickly, but at the same time there is no feeling of "Groundhog Day" - time flies unnoticed. The commander of the 8th company, Captain Sergei Dubovik, revealed the essence of this "pedagogical technique": "When a soldier has every minute scheduled, when he is constantly busy, he does not have time to do stupid things."

Indeed, the company’s servicemen even use their personal time to good use: they call relatives, read books, sew under collars to uniforms, play music and even play chess. This is not an embellished reality from the stories of company officers, this is what every visitor who accidentally or not accidentally ended up in the unit will see. Unexpected visits are not uncommon here: the brigade commander can visit the company at any time without warning, chat with the soldiers, check the schedules of dismissals and outfits.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

The day of the soldiers of the special forces of the internal troops is so busy that they have no problems with sleep: you just have to put your head on the pillow after lights out - and your eyes close on their own. Being on your feet from 6 am to 10 pm is not an easy task.

This is SWAT

The day of the military personnel of the company begins at 06:00 with the command "Rise!". Still sleepy soldiers line up, officers count whether everything is in place, the guys put on sports uniforms and go out to exercise.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

Up to 15 degrees of frost, they go out to exercise "on the bare torso"

Charging for special forces is sacred, it takes place at any time of the year and in any weather, even in severe frost. An ordinary person will surely shudder when he finds out that up to 15 degrees below zero they go out to exercise "on their bare torso", and in winter they still wipe themselves with snow, douse themselves with water and go barefoot.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

The soldiers themselves do not seem to feel discomfort from the cold and proudly say: "This is special forces!" Hardening gives its results: some senior soldiers admitted that they never caught a cold during the entire period of service.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

Between exercise and breakfast, soldiers have 40 minutes to make their beds, wash and dress. There is a stereotype that has been common since Soviet times that a soldier should get dressed while a match is burning. In the special forces brigade, the idea that a soldier should dress in 45 seconds is not supported, they consider it a relic of the past and some kind of mockery.

“If you are given 40 minutes to wash and get dressed, why dress in 45 seconds? Then just stand there? It makes no sense,” says company commander Sergei Dubovik. However, he stressed that this standard is being worked out, and each serviceman can get dressed even in 30 seconds in case of an alarm or rising on warning signals.

Calories are tasty and healthy

To serve well, you need to eat well, they are convinced of the internal troops. The food here is really great: breakfast, lunch and dinner contain as many calories as there are not in the diet of the average person. But after all, the workload of a soldier is much greater than that of an office worker.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

At the entrance to the dining room before each meal, you can see the "control dish". These are standard portions. Each soldier who believes that he was cheated on the distribution can compare the received dish with the control one, including by weight. But such questions usually do not arise: the principle of social justice in everything in this military unit is strictly observed.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

If the soldier's height exceeds 190 centimeters, he receives a double portion. Soldiers from the 8th company admitted that at first it was difficult to eat the prescribed portions, they had to force themselves. But over time, the appetite came: daily intense training inevitably causes hunger.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

"Burgers" with sausage and cheese - almost like in a "citizen"

Having taken places at the tables, the servicemen are intensively wielding forks and spoons. The buns are buttered and made into "burgers" with sausage and cheese. It turns out no less nutritious than in fast food chains. The guys laugh: almost like in a "civilian", but this same "citizen" is not much missed, especially those who have served for more than six months.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

The food is varied: cereals, soups, salads, fish and meat. There are no questions about taste either. Of course, this is not a restaurant with a Michelin star chef, but the dishes are tastier than in standard factory canteens. Professional chefs work in the kitchen, and soldiers with culinary education help them. It turns out that there are a lot of such in the brigade. There are even guys who managed to work in the capital's restaurants before joining the army. Each of them can easily name a recipe for a dish that can be cooked in 5 minutes.

Come on brother

There are many trainings in the special forces of the internal troops that require physical endurance. Not all young fighters cope with the loads at first. But in this case, both company officers and colleagues do everything so that the lagging behind does not feel inferior.

According to company commander Sergei Dubovik, not everyone can run 10 kilometers out of habit. In this case, an officer is assigned to the soldier, who runs with him at his pace, gradually increasing speed and distance. After a while, this soldier begins to run just as well as the rest.

There are general-arms physical training standards, and there are special forces ones. This is the level below which, while serving in special forces, it is shameful to perform exercises. So everyone wants to do more. For example, the brigade standard for pull-ups is at least 15 times, while in other parts, to get "excellent", it is enough to pull up 12 times.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

Training takes place in the spacious gym of unit 3214, except on days when it is busy with any activities. In this case, the sports corner in the location of the company helps out. The physical training and hand-to-hand combat classes have their own training system: only guys of equal opportunities are put into sparring, and the junior draft for six months is completely engaged in a separate program. A separate program is also provided for professional athletes: they devote more time to training and preparing for competitions. Also, before the championships, a special daily routine is established for them, which allows them to gain strength to achieve a better result.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

It is impressive how the soldiers themselves support each other if something does not work out. In hand-to-hand combat training, you hear every now and then: "Come on, brother, you can do it." With such moral support, it simply cannot fail. Yes, and the patience of the instructors is amazing: they will show how this or that technique is done, as many times as necessary for you to understand and repeat it yourself without flaws.

This "brotherly" atmosphere is felt in everything, everyone is ready to help when necessary. This gives the soldier confidence that in any even the most difficult situation he will not be left alone, that the "brothers" will lend a shoulder and insure, no matter what happens. In the 8th company they say that this is what gives rise to the notorious army friendship, which the guys from the "citizen" cannot even dream of, which is why those who served in the unit come to visit as soon as possible.

The rain does not wet the commando ...

... the rain invigorates the commando. With these words, the guys from the 3rd separate brigade of special forces of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are nominated for combat training classes in any weather. And with the weather, as you know, in our climatic conditions, most often unlucky.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

If in the first half of the day the sun was shining during the tactical training and the snow was actively melting, then the afternoon combat training brought a lot of surprises: at times the rain poured so hard that there was no dry place left on the soldiers at the end of the training. But this, according to the military personnel, only tempers. In such conditions, it will not work for a long time to be a sissy.

Combined-arms tactics classes not only improve the skills of soldiers in handling weapons, but also help to rally the team, develop team spirit and give platoon commanders the opportunity to get practice in managing people. An armored personnel carrier is not a comfortable premium car. It is quite crowded in order to open the doors, you need to make a lot of effort. Moreover, you need to get out of the armored personnel carrier and return on the move quickly, because in real combat situations, even a second of delay can cost a life. In such conditions, it is almost impossible to work without support and mutual assistance, this is how the team is best tempered.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

In addition, such activities develop thinking and train the speed of decision-making. The company commander sets tasks, and the servicemen not only have to choose how to solve them, but also meet the allotted time. “They don’t know what object I will tell them to block, so they improvise as it turns out, as the terrain allows,” the company commander comments on what is happening.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

"We are taught to be one for all and all for one."

Meanwhile, three armored personnel carriers with representatives of three platoons are maneuvering on the ground. Downpour permeates every millimeter of the mold cold water, but this does not spoil the mood of the guys, on the contrary, difficult weather conditions only spur them on to quickly and efficiently complete the task received by the lisping radio from the commander. All of them are trying hard, you can feel the spirit of healthy competition. This is how it should be: without the desire to become better, one cannot achieve heights in the service.

soldier says

After spending the whole day with the soldiers, you will not only feel the atmosphere of the company, but also have time to listen and hear what those who most often become victims of hazing say. Each soldier has his own point of view on the process of serving, but they all agree on one thing: they are very lucky to serve here with these colleagues.

Private Artem Muzychenko from the junior draft, he is 19 years old, has been serving for the fifth month. He came from the Gomel region, even before the medical examination, he knew that he wanted to serve here. “The first impression of the service was very good: the team was good, the atmosphere of support and mutual assistance. After two or three weeks, I felt as if I had been serving here for more than a year. The older servicemen constantly helped, explained what was incomprehensible,” he shared.

According to Artem, you need to understand the way of life of the company, set goals and strive for them, and then everything will be fine. “We are taught to be one for all and all for one. If someone falls behind somewhere, they support the whole team so that this person feels comfortable. The company command encourages you very well if you serve well,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Stanislav Shebutko is 21 years old, he has only 3 weeks left to serve. After the end of military service, he is going to stay in the brigade to serve under the contract. He says this about the beginning of the service: “At first it was difficult. The course of a young soldier and a company are two different things. I want to. And then you get used to it. "

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

Stanislav notes that everyone in the company supports friendly relations. Sergeants and officers are trying to rally the team so that the soldiers all stand as a wall for each other. “As we say: ‘brother must cover his back.’ There is no difference between soldiers of different conscriptions,” he explained.

His words were confirmed by another senior military officer, 23-year-old Corporal Vadim Voronkov. According to him, the officers of the company, even in the most difficult situations, support and help to rally. “Everything we have achieved – diplomas, cups, awards – is thanks to our commanders. These are the people to whom I am deeply grateful. I am glad that I got into this company with these people,” said Vadim.

He has only 3 weeks left to serve, he is not yet ready to connect his life with the army, and he admits that he becomes sad that he will have to part with his colleagues: “Sometimes you think that you will go to work, you will have children, a family But all this will not replace the time that I spent here. "

This time will truly be remembered. Even if in our case it was only one day.

The day of a soldier really flies by quickly. It contains so many events that there is a feeling of a whole life lived in this short period. Having spent the whole day side by side with the soldiers, it is easy to make sure that they really have no time to be bored.

© Sputnik / Irina Bukas

Many want to serve in the military unit 3214 of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

An important factor in creating healthy atmosphere in the internal troops there is a strict selection of conscripts. Read about how this happens in the material.

We continue to talk about the old military. This time we stopped at the "capital of the Airborne Forces" - Borovukha-1 near Novopolotsk. This town holds many stories that could be the script for films. For example, how Yanka Kupala worked here as a railroad worker. About World War II - how the local garrison successfully crushed Wehrmacht tanks for two weeks. You can also talk about the horrors of concentration camps: here the Germans destroyed thousands of prisoners of war. And also about Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan and about the crews of helicopters that extinguished the reactor at Chernobyl. In general, our story will be long and interesting.

Here was Kupala, Budyonny and " enemy of the people Uborevich"

The first information about Borovukha is associated with the construction of the Vitebsk-Rizhskaya railway. It was an ordinary Belarusian village and the station of the same name. The building of the old station is no longer there, but on the modern one there is a commemorative shield stating that in 1916 Yanka Kupala worked here in the railway team. This meager information will be given to you by a query on the Internet. But our guide to Borovukha and the surrounding area was a local enthusiast Vladimir Komissarov. In his stories, the history of the town is definitely not so boring.

Courtyard of the barracks in Borovukha in the 1930s. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov

The first Soviet units appeared here after 1918: it was necessary to strengthen the Soviet-Polish border. In the early 1920s, the first two wooden barracks were built for them. A cavalry regiment, artillerymen were stationed in the nascent military town, and a training base for balloons was located nearby on Lake Beloye. The town is growing, and already in 1924 a brick two-story school was being built here - its building still exists.

But more rapid development of the town began after 1928, and it is connected with the construction of the Polotsk fortified region. In addition to fortifications (to which we will devote a separate article), by 1935 seven four-story stone houses for the families of officers, a club, a bathhouse and a store were built here. And in 1937, Marshal Semyon Budyonny himself took part in the opening of the House of Officers.

View of the town from Borovukha station. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov
During the war, an air bomb hit the House of Officers. This is how it looked after the war. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov
On the streets of Borovukha in July 1941, the Germans immediately marked the Jewish population. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov

Vladimir Komissarov told an interesting fact: the old pre-war buildings were supplied with water through wooden pipes. They were laid in paterns - underground vaulted channels lined with bricks.

Before the war, a soldiers' club was also built. Of all the Voyenproekt buildings we have seen so far, it stands out primarily for its architecture: we have not yet seen such buildings. Now it is used as Orthodox Church. Interesting fact: On June 21, 1941, a gypsy choir performed in it, and on the 22nd they learned about the beginning of a big war.

The town also had its own amphitheater, built, as the documents say, “at the direction of the enemy of the people, Uborevich” (its designs can be seen in German photos).

Behind the pillbox you can see the amphitheater. Photo courtesy of Vladimir Komissarov

During the occupation period, the Germans organized the Staatlag 354 concentration camp for prisoners of war in the barracks of the tankers. , in which, according to various sources, from 13 to 25 thousand people were killed. The dead were buried in the pit of the amphitheater. So the place of rest and holidays in Borovukha turned into a cemetery. Now there is a memorial "Star" on this place.

There is a version that the bodies could be dumped into Bezdonka - a lake with swampy shores in the town. There is no confirmation of this, but the locals do not bathe in it.

However, on the outskirts of the town there are two more lakes - large, picturesque and suitable for recreation.

They say that Novopolotsk was originally planned to be built on the same bank of the Dvina as Borovukha. But in 1957-1960, here in Koptsevo there was a secret missile unit that received nuclear warheads. Accordingly, the city was built on the other side.

Capital of the Airborne Forces

IN postwar period construction continued: "Uncle Vasya's troops" were stationed in Borovukha - the 350th and 357th regiments of the airborne troops of the 103rd division. Since that time, the town has been called the "capital of the Airborne Forces."

Photo: Viktor Polyakov, zen.yandex.ru/polyakov

The township in the Union was given importance: from here important sites in Europe are within easy reach. Especially for this, an airfield was built nearby, capable of receiving heavy military transport aircraft. Vladimir Komissarov says that until now in the garages of former paratroopers hanging maps of the English Channel with marks of important objects.

It was in Borovukha that they tested the latest weapons and equipment intended for the Airborne Forces. For example, parachute D-1/8.

Here they also practiced the landing of a BMD-1 airborne combat vehicle with a crew inside. The initiative for its creation belongs to the commander airborne troops Vasily Margelov. To avoid injuries during landing, a simplified version of the space chair, Kazbek-D, was placed inside the vehicle. To reduce weight, the armored hull was assembled by welding from rolled aluminum armor plates.

The first paratroopers inside the BMD-1 were Alexander Margelov (son of the commander of the Airborne Forces) and Leonid Zuev.

The paratroopers from Borovukha participated in all the conflicts of the USSR. In 1968, during the unrest in Czechoslovakia, they took part in Operation Danube. The operation was exemplary from a military point of view: the paratroopers quickly managed to disarm and block the anti-aircraft artillery brigade, the weapons factory, the garrison commandant's office and a number of other important objects.

Museum of Technology in Borovukha. GAZ-66, or "shishiga", is a legendary car known for its unpretentiousness and maintainability. In order to adapt it as much as possible for airlift, the designers sacrificed a lot, first of all, comfort and ease of control. But the design could withstand an overload of up to 9g and a landing speed of 10 m / s while parachuting on a special platform.

In 1979, the paratroopers were the first to enter Afghanistan and the last to leave in 1989. Then the paratroopers of the 103rd division served in the Transcaucasian border district under the command of the head of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR (from 1990 to 1991). Here is what Russian General Alexander Lebed wrote about this in his memoirs: “There were“ smart heads ”who, using the growing tension in society, proposed a non-standard move - to transfer the division to the Committee state security. No division - no problem. And ... they handed it over, creating a situation where the division was no longer "VED", but also not "KGB". Combat officers have been turned into clowns. Green caps, green shoulder straps, blue vests, symbols on caps, shoulder straps and chest - paratrooper. Among the people, such a wild mixture of forms was aptly dubbed the “conductor”.

Museum of Technology in Borovukha. When in 1981 this divisional-regimental airborne self-propelled artillery and mortar installation 2S9 "Nona-S" entered service, it was considered a secret vehicle. The main caliber of the 2S9 was a 120-mm rifled howitzer-mortar gun 2A51. The 120 mm caliber was also not chosen by chance: the self-propelled guns could also use ammunition of a similar caliber in service with NATO armies - it was assumed that the 2S9 would operate behind enemy lines, where the supply of ammunition was impossible.

In the already independent republic, the number of airborne troops was reduced: along with sovereignty, a purely defensive military doctrine was proclaimed, and the airborne units, the so-called first strike troops, did not fit into the new concept. In 1995, the 350th and 357th regiments were reorganized into brigades, and later included in the 103rd separate mobile brigade of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Museum of Technology in Borovukha. Combat vehicle 9P148 from the composition anti-tank complex"Contest". Created on the basis of the BRDM-2, it was equipped with a liftable launcher for five missiles in transport and launch containers. Missiles were launched only when the machine was completely stopped. Reloading was carried out in one and a half minutes without leaving the crew from the combat vehicle. ATGM "Konkurs" is designed to destroy tanks and other armored enemy targets moving at speeds up to 60 km / h, stationary targets (firing points, fortifications such as bunkers, pillboxes) provided that the targets are optically visible.

However, the locals do not understand why, when the regiments were disbanded, it was necessary to create a brigade at a new location in Vitebsk.

In Borovukha, equipment from the boxes went straight to the landfill. And now paratroopers are being transported on trailers from Vitebsk to Liozno.

Airborne Forces Day in Borovukha is probably more valued than New Year. Here is the only place in the country where this holiday is celebrated in an organized way.

There have been no units of the Airborne Forces for 11 years, but still every year on August 2, festive events are held. Money is allocated for holding, for porridge, compote, a concert. Belarusian and Russian artists are coming.

On this day, a man who is not in a vest and without a blue beret male in the town will be a "black sheep". Just in case, it is better to know the answer to the question about the number of parachute lines - 32. But there is no fountain in the town.

Local residents say that earlier, in the 90s, there was a rather tense crime situation in Borovukha: it was scary to go out into the yard in the evening, there were constant fights. Therefore, they created a voluntary squad from the locals. The combatants quickly put things in order - now it is safe in the town at any time of the day.

Who is after us?

The 350th and 357th regiments were located along the edges of the town. The barracks of the “fifty kopecks” (as the 350th regiment is called here) are now empty. The buildings have survived: the marauders did not have time to work on them. Access to them was closed, security was provided. It will not be a problem to enter the territory: step over the barbed wire - and you are already there. But the signs on the other side say that it is forbidden to walk here - a fine of 500 rubles. And there is a dog here.

Two barracks appeared in the 30s, during the active construction of the town. Polotsk residents were actively involved in their construction - they were brought here for subbotniks. Another one of white brick- it's already the 70s. It looks, by the way, even worse than before the war.

But the beautiful building of the dining room is already in disrepair, and the ceiling has collapsed in one wing.

Canteen of the 350th Regiment

It is noteworthy that the former location of the regiment is mowed down, some buildings have acquired new doors. So they have an owner. What a great place: large territory with its own park and access to the lake.

It was planned that the buildings of the unit would be transferred to the Olympic Reserve College, but so far they thought that the helicopter regiment had collapsed. Its territory seemed more compact and suitable for these purposes.


In the location of the 357th Airborne Regiment, whose territory begins at the end of the current Army Street, life has not stopped. Now it is an “industrial Babylon”: it produces sewing, knitwear and rubber products, wooden windows, PVC windows and doors, building metal structures, furniture, plant protection products, instrumentation, building materials, equipment for processing secondary raw materials.

Location of the 357th Regiment

Soldiers Club. Now here is the church

The huge House of Officers, the same one opened by Budyonny, could have been demolished in the 2000s, but its premises began to be actively bought up by small businesses. The central part is currently undergoing renovations. We arrived to try on a secondhand sign on the left column of the front porch.

On the right there is a memorial plaque dedicated to the "bata" - the creator of the Airborne Forces Vasily Margelov. Did you know that he is Belarusian by nationality?

Old buildings are treated with respect. Instead of demolition - reconstruction

Opposite the House of Officers, a local museum was opened. The exposition was created by the inhabitants of Borovukha - who will bring a parachute, who will bring a tunic, who will bring a flight jacket, who will bring the door from the pillbox. Many exhibits are related to the Second World War - in the forests around the town you can find items from spent cartridges to the remains of a machine gun. There is even the lower part of the German ... body armor. By the way, Vladimir Komissarov also took a direct part in filling the museum. The description of the military operations of the Polotsk fortified area is his merit.

An open-air exposition was created across the road - here are presented combat vehicles Airborne.

Helicopters from Borovukha

The neighbors of the paratroopers were pilots from the 276th separate helicopter regiment (Borovtsy airfield). From 1982 to February 1989, they performed combat missions in Afghanistan. On April 27, 1986, the personnel of the 4th squadron on Mi-26 helicopters and the 3rd squadron on the Mi-8MT participated in the extinguishing of the reactor Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In 2003, the regiment was disbanded, and the remaining helicopters were transferred first to Zasimovochi, then to Machulishchi.

Territory of the helicopter regiment. Now it's an Olympic reserve college

Sergei Kozlov, pilot first class, lives in Borovukha since 1993. Now he is retired - he has 52 years of service. Twice I was in Afghanistan, there was a business trip to Chernobyl.

I have dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood. My brother was a helicopter pilot, and I, a ten-year-old kid, ran around Vitebsk in his uniform, I was terribly proud!

Back to top Afghan war the army was in dire need of army aviation pilots, so they recruited pilots en masse from the reserve.

Helicopter regiment. Photo: Viktor Polyakov, zen.yandex.ru/polyakov

Everyone was offered to write a report in which there were lines: I wish to serve anywhere in the USSR. Not a word about Afghanistan, but everyone understood where they would be sent. I volunteered.

For retraining new type Sergey's helicopters were sent to the Syzran Higher Military Aviation Pilot School. Three months he studied on the Mi-24. Then he served for some time near the borders of NATO in the GDR, where the "crocodiles" were on constant combat duty.

Mi-26 (product "90", according to NATO codification: Halo) is a Soviet and Russian heavy multi-purpose transport helicopter. It is the world's largest mass-produced transport helicopter.
It is capable of transporting people (up to 82 people), equipment and various cargoes weighing up to 20 tons. The top speed is also impressive - 295 km / h. The helicopter can cover up to 800 km (with external tanks - up to 2350) and climb to a height of up to 6500 meters. Photo: safaniuk.livejournal.com

"Crocodiles" in the sky of Afghanistan

Sergei ended up in Afghanistan in 1984. At that time, most often they had to fly to escort columns, search for caravans, and it also happened to rescue paratroopers trapped in the mountains by dushmans.

The helicopter was reliable and well protected,” recalls Sergey Kozlov. - Frontal bulletproof glass withstood a single hit of a 30-mm projectile, and machine-gun bullets bounced off it altogether. The cabin was also protected by steel armor. The danger for us was MANPADS (portable anti-aircraft missile systems), which the West actively supplied to the Mujahideen. In my memory, it was that they captured one instructor, a Frenchman with MANPADS, so then NATO sent a special plane for him.

The armament of the Mi-24 made it possible to cope with any task, although not everything worked flawlessly. For example, there were some problems with the YakB-12.7 four-barreled machine gun - it sometimes wedged. The problem was learned to solve in the field.

The weapon was powerful, and so that the machine gun would not fail in battle, only 500 rounds instead of 1470 were loaded into the tape, each of which was separately lubricated with a brush. Then the whole tape came out without problems. The rate of fire was very high, sometimes it was possible not to notice that the cartridges had already run out.

In addition to the machine gun, the Mi-24's arsenal included unguided aircraft missiles, Shturm-S anti-tank missiles, and other weapons.

American pilot senior non-commissioned officer Jeff Staton, who flew more than a dozen hours on the "twenty-four", highly appreciated the capabilities of the helicopter: "It is as hardy as a tractor. Put it in the barn for a year, then charge the batteries and you can fly right away. It runs smoothly, just like an old 1962 Cadillac. Lubricate it well and you can fly it for hundreds of hours.” Photo topwar.ru

When the ammunition ran out, and this happened often, the helicopter pilots did not leave the battlefield: they imitated combat approaches to the positions of dushmans.

Was it really possible to fly away when the dushmans were firing at the paratroopers? They did everything they could. I'll tell you: even such psychic attacks had a frightening effect on the Mujahideen. Imagine that a huge car with cannons and machine guns is flying at you, and you will understand that even an imitation of an attack can cause panic.

50 meters above the reactor

After returning from Afghanistan, the military service of Sergei Kozlov continued at the airfield in Zasimovichi (Pruzhany). In 1986, their helicopters were sent to Chernobyl.

Nobody announced alarms, the command simply gathered all the pilots who were in the town through messengers. The task was simple: to fly to Grodno to receive new Mi-24РХР helicopters. Already on the way, we learned that they were intended for reconnaissance of radiation in the area of ​​the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Sergei stayed in Chernobyl from September 2 to October 19. The task of his crew is to hover at an altitude of about 200 meters (according to instructions) and measure the level of radiation. By this time, the fire was extinguished, but the study was still very strong - many of those who flew over the reactor are no longer alive.

We mainly worked at an altitude of about 150 meters - it's not so easy to hover at the right height. Sometimes, when circumstances so required, they dropped to 50 meters.

After working on the reactor, the command tried to deactivate expensive helicopters: they washed them with special solutions, but this did not help. Then they decided to remove the gearbox and replace it with a new one - it still phonates, they did the same with the engine - the result is the same. As a result, they refused to fly on these machines and allegedly sent equipment to the burial ground in Ukraine.

True, there is not a single repository of radioactive helicopters now. I think they were sold somewhere in Africa.

After dangerous work in Chernobyl, Sergei Kozlov had to return to Afghanistan again, where he stayed until the withdrawal of troops. I personally took three Mi-24s out of Kabul. Here he tried new system, designed specifically for flying in the mountains.

The rarefied air in the mountains of Afghanistan led to a loss of power, so the designers developed a special system for injecting water into the engine. Its inclusion provided an explosive increase in power, allowing you to increase the height at which the machine can work. The cylinder that ensured the operation of this system was located right in the cockpit, and when we asked the designer what would happen if a bullet hit there, he answered: a small explosion. Why do we need this? We refused to fly with a balloon.

New Borovukha

After Afghanistan, Sergei served in Ukraine. I ended up in Borovukha almost by accident.

When the Union collapsed, it was necessary to look for a place where to serve. The first time I looked into Borovukha by chance. I looked and decided that I will never live here. Everything here was like in any military town: there is no hot water, the cold is rusty, the heating is weak, and there are frequent power outages.

Pre-war DOS

But in the end, I "landed" all the same here. Then the order of the Belarusian military district was issued, which stated that it was possible to continue serving in the Belarusian army in the same position. I come to Belarus, I go to the head of the army aviation. I ask where they can send me. He received a military-style concise and honest answer: “Except for x. I can't send you anywhere else." In the end, they still assigned me to Borovukha. Part was staffed, there were no places, so at first I was only listed here: they paid money for two months for the title and then did not pay anything for six months. My wife was still living in Ukraine with two children. And so we all survived on her part-time nanny in kindergarten.

Sergey recalls that it was a very difficult period in his life. Then, however, he returned to flight work, got an apartment, moved his family.

When I moved here, there was no crowding from the military: there were 1,400 schoolchildren alone, there were three shifts at the school. Now there are fewer children - about 450 people.

In 1993 they built new school. Surprisingly, it has a pool! You can buy a subscription and come in the evenings and on weekends to swim. There was also a large gym, but it was recognized as dilapidated and demolished.

With the departure of the military, the question arose of what to do with the town, in which more than five thousand people live. In the noughties, it was first merged with the village council and transferred to the administrative subordination of Novopolotsk.

This had a positive effect on Borovukha: a major overhaul came to the old DOSs, roofs were changed for many houses, and facades were painted. Now the town looks very decent. Here they are not in a hurry to demolish old buildings - they will come in handy in the economy. Plumbing laid in Soviet years was frankly weak. The problem was also that no one knew where and what pipes were. It was effectively solved according to the VDE: they increased the pressure in the system. So they revealed weak spots for replacement.

Kindergarten. There is another one in Borovukha, in a modern building

As a result, residents got access to all the benefits of civilization - central gas, hot water and uninterrupted power supply.

There are enough food and hardware stores in the town. There is also a mini market. At the entrance to the town - a decent-looking cafe with a tarzan park. You can also ride horses.

On May 13, 2019, the village of Borovukha officially ceased to exist: now it is a microdistrict of Novopolotsk. City buses and minibuses already go here every half an hour. There are even buses for the disabled. Do not forget about the railway station - trains go to Polotsk through it.

Spread around Borovukha private sector- these are village houses, dachas of Novopolotsk residents and former military personnel. Apartments here are in the price: for a two-room apartment for 45 "squares" they ask for 24 thousand dollars.

Any local resident will tell you that it is better to live here than in the city, - says Sergey Kozlov. - Dvina separates Borovukha from the large industrial center - everything is in order with the environment here. In Novopolotsk it smells of "Polymir", "Naftan", and here - a pine forest.

1. Uruchensk special forces brigade. (military unit 3214, Uruchcha).

T Third Separate Red Banner Special Forces Brigade (military unit 3214, Uruchcha) was formed in the 1990s on the basis of the 334th regiment of the 120th division. It is prepared both to disperse street actions and to participate in special operations. This is the shock part of the Internal Troops. Its number is about 1500-2000 people. The unit consists of several subdivisions - special purpose battalions, Special Squad rapid response (SOBR) and support departments.

The main tasks of the PMSN

1. Ensuring the personal and property security of citizens on the streets and in other public places.

2. Ensuring security public order during public events.

3. Prevention and suppression of offenses, group violations of public order and riots.

4. Participation, together with other services and divisions of the internal affairs bodies (OVD), in the detention of armed criminals, suppression of activities organized groups and criminal organizations.
5. Participation in special events and operations conducted by the Department of Internal Affairs.

The main tasks of the brigade are: the fight against terrorism, actions in case of emergencies, combat training in case of a military threat.

IN Peaceful time The soldiers of the brigade perform the functions of protecting public order. Often representatives of the brigade go on assignments outside of Minsk. For example, they guard the "Slavianski Bazaar".
During the street actions of the opposition, the Uruchen brigade is usually kept on a safety net. They are used only in extreme cases, when the PMSN cannot cope with the demonstrators.

Pavlichenko himself, being the commander of the brigade, repeatedly stated that he was trying to educate the fighters in the "spirit of Orthodoxy." There is a temple on the territory.

Very great importance assigned to combat training, it is several times stricter than in other military units. The program includes acrobatics, hand-to-hand combat, strength training, athletic gymnastics, crosses. Great importance is attached to shooting from different types weapons, as well as tactical and special training for actions in various situations.

It is worth noting that most of the ordinary fighters are in the brigade for a year or a half. This is a normal term of service in the army.

2. Minsk special police regiment

The regiment was formed in autumn 2005, shortly before the presidential election. The PMSN was created on the basis of the OMON, and headed by Yuriy Podobed. As Anatoly Kuleshov (today's Minister of the Interior), the then chief of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, explained, the main purpose of creating the regiment was to protect public order during various mass actions.

According to him, the fighters of this unit must be prepared for cataclysms, disasters, natural and man-made accidents. Kuleshov called the third reason that the creation of the regiment would enable other police officers to perform their immediate duties. The officers of the regiment wear black uniforms.

The PMSN was created at the personal request of Yuri Podobed, who complained that the number of events that needed protection was constantly growing in the country. The staff has also been increased a lot.

Admission to the service in the special police regiment of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee is carried out on a competitive basis through the conclusion of individual contracts with citizens of the Republic of Belarus.

Basic requirements for candidates:

citizenship of the Republic of Belarus;

the presence of fixed-term military service in the Armed Forces (the absence of fixed-term service does not exclude the possibility of being recruited for service in the internal affairs department on an individual basis with a completed higher education);

no evidence of a downgrade military rank for the period of urgent military service;

age up to 25 years, however, older age options are possible depending on the length of service in the Armed Forces (decided on an individual basis);

availability of complete secondary, secondary specialized or higher education (preference is given to candidates with secondary specialized and higher education);

the absence of a criminal record and administrative penalties from the candidate and close relatives, as well as other compromising information from the territorial internal affairs bodies at the place of birth and residence of the candidate and his close relatives;

positive characteristics of the candidate from all places of his service, study and work.

Those who applied for employment in the PMSN after passing a preliminary interview are sent to undergo a medical commission to the polyclinic of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus in order to determine their fitness for service. Moreover, only those candidates who have the first and second degree of fitness for military service, established by the draft commission of the RVC when drafting into the Armed Forces, are subject to referral. Those with a third degree of fitness can also be sent to the medical commission, but, as practice shows, such candidates are recognized as unfit for service in the PMSN, although their suitability for service in other, non-special, units of the internal affairs bodies is not ruled out.

When candidates are recognized by the military medical commission as fit for service in the PMSN, they undergo a preliminary internship in the intended position (policeman, policeman-driver), during which the candidate is familiarized with the conditions and specifics of service in the unit. In turn, the regiment's employees study the moral and business qualities of the candidate in order to determine their suitability for service. The duration of the internship is at least one month. Physical training inspectors during the internship period accept credits for physical training from the candidate.

When the management decides on the possibility of accepting a candidate for service, a contract is concluded with him for service in the internal affairs bodies and the candidate is sent for initial training to the Training Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus or to the Mogilev College of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. The contract is concluded for the period of initial training and then for 5 (five) years from the date of arrival for further service in the completing body. The contract provides for mandatory service for at least 5 years after training. Otherwise, it is possible to recover the cost of the initial training costs.
The duration of the initial training at the Training Center is 6 (six) months.
For candidates undergoing urgent military service in parts of the internal troops of the Republic of Belarus, in exceptional cases, in agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the possibility of recruitment with initial training at the place of service is provided.
For more information, contact the Human Resources Department of the PMSN GUVD.

Maryina Gorka

Near Minsk, in Maryina Gorka (Pukhovichi district), there is a 5th separate special-purpose brigade. But this is not the Internal Troops. This special forces belongs to the Ministry of Defense.
The formation of the brigade began to take place in 1962.

Behind Soviet times fighters reached a level of training that corresponded to detachment "Vympel" of the KGB of the USSR. Fighters from Maryina Gorka took an active part in Afghan conflict. Two years after the withdrawal from there, the paratroopers from Maryina Gorka again went to war. Almost the entire brigade (805 people) under the command of Colonel Borodach was in Armenia.

On December 31, 1992, former Soviet special forces swore allegiance to Belarus. The main areas of training for today's fighters in the unit are sabotage and reconnaissance. Scouts are taught to overcome swamps, water barriers, forests. For this, exercises are often held in the forests. For ten days they are in an unknown area.

Maryina Gorka believes that their unit is the most elite in the country. There is an unofficial competition and confrontation between the special forces from Uruchcha and Maryina Gorka. Both there and there believe that their part is the best.

"Diamond"

Actually with "Almaz" and the Belarusian special forces began in the late 1980s. True, then this unit had a name "Golden eagle", and the main purpose was to organize prison anti-terror squads. They were also created in other Soviet republics.

Now it is a kind of rapid reaction squad. In 1994, the then head of Berkut and the future Minister of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Naumov, took the initiative to rename the special unit to Almaz. In a memo for fighters, Naumov once wrote: "Always remember that a member of the special forces must be clean and hard as a diamond".
In 2002, Alexander Lukashenko personally opened the Almaz base.

In case of an alarm, the Almazovets should arrive at the base within 5-7 minutes. And within 20 minutes, reconnaissance and a combat group are sent to the scene anywhere in the country. After another 20 minutes, the second group leaves.

The functions of the "diamond man" include the fight against terrorist activities, the release of hostages, and the disposal of explosives. "Almazovtsy" once detained suspects in the murder of Russian journalist Paul Khlebnikov in Minsk.

"Almazovets" must train at least three times a week. These are not only sports exercises, fighters also go to barriers, manholes, ladders in full gear.

Basically, officers from similar units of the Ministry of Defense, police special forces, the security service of the head of state, and border troops get into Almaz. As a rule, these are people who have served at least five years and have already participated in special operations. Serve in the "Almaz" and women - negotiators and snipers.

Almaz is headed by Colonel Nikolai Karpenkov. He was still in Berkut, when from 1992 to 1994. He was the commander of the combat group of the unit. In 2003, Karpenkov returned to Almaz as a commander.

"Alpha"

The Alfa group under the State Security Committee of the USSR was created back in 1974. In March 1990, the then chief Chekist of the Union Kryuchkov signed a decree on the additional introduction of the group Alfa based in Minsk. Among the goals of the creation of the group were the localization and prevention of terrorist and extremist actions, especially dangerous criminal manifestations that threaten the security of the country. Initially, the group also acted on the Baltic countries.

Interestingly, until January 1992, Alfa was directly subordinate to the main department under the President of the USSR. Only then did she enter the structure of the Belarusian KGB. Alpha fighters ensure the physical defense and security of the Belarusian leadership and distinguished foreign guests. The new duties also included the fight against the illegal export of valuable metals, material and historical values ​​outside the country.

When creating Alpha, preference was given to Afghan officers, vedeveshniks, and professional athletes. Now higher education and military service is compulsory for candidates. Also, attention is paid to the ability to endure great psychological and physical stress. The age of the fighters is 30-35 years.

It is noted that staff turnover at Alpha is very low. It takes four or five years to become a true professional. All this time the fighter is on the second or third roles. One full outfit of the "alpha" (body armor, helmet, weapons, ammunition) weighs more than 20 kilograms.

Border special forces "OSAM" Separate service active events.

The border guards also have their own special forces. This is the Separate Service of Active Measures, perhaps the most closed and little-known special unit.
OSAM appeared after the collapse Soviet Union, in 1993. The first chief was Gennady Nevyglas.

First of all, the creation of a special unit was explained by the fight against illegal migration. Mostly, citizens from Asian countries to Europe. That was the first task.
Later, new ones appeared - the fight against economic crime and drug trafficking, countering transit terrorism and human trafficking.

Checking the future Osamo resident lasts from a year to two. During this time, the service record of the fighter, all close and distant relatives are checked with special attention. The average age of officers is 33 years. On the uniform chevron of the OSAM fighter there are two crossed balls and a wind rose against the background of the contour of the country.

At one time, OSAM was headed by the current chairman of the Border Committee, Igor Rachkovsky. And the eldest sons of Lukashenka, Viktor and Dmitry, served in the special forces.