The Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation are a separate branch of the Russian armed forces, located in the reserve of the Commander-in-Chief of the country and directly subordinate to the Commander of the Airborne Forces. This position is currently held (since October 2016) by Colonel General Serdyukov.
Purpose of air airborne troops- actions behind enemy lines, carrying out deep raids, capturing important enemy targets, bridgeheads, disrupting enemy communications and enemy control, carrying out sabotage in his rear. The Airborne Forces were created primarily as effective tool offensive war. To cover the enemy and operate in his rear, the Airborne Forces can use airborne landings - both parachute and landing.
The airborne troops are rightfully considered the elite of the armed forces of the Russian Federation. In order to get into this branch of the military, candidates must meet very high criteria. First of all, this concerns physical health and psychological stability. And this is natural: paratroopers carry out their tasks behind enemy lines, without the support of their main forces, the supply of ammunition and the evacuation of the wounded.
The Soviet Airborne Forces were created in the 30s, the further development of this type of troops was rapid: by the beginning of the war, five airborne corps were deployed in the USSR, with a strength of 10 thousand people each. USSR Airborne Forces played important role in the victory over the Nazi invaders. The paratroopers actively participated in Afghan war. The Russian Airborne Forces were officially created on May 12, 1992, they went through both Chechen campaigns, and participated in the war with Georgia in 2008.
The flag of the Airborne Forces is a blue cloth with a green stripe at the bottom. In its center there is an image of a golden open parachute and two aircraft of the same color. The flag was officially approved in 2004.
In addition to the flag, there is also an emblem of this branch of the military. This is a golden-colored flaming grenade with two wings. There is also a medium and large Airborne Forces emblem. The middle emblem depicts a double-headed eagle with a crown on its head and a shield with St. George the Victorious in the center. In one paw the eagle holds a sword, and in the other - a flaming airborne grenade. In the large emblem, Grenada is placed on a blue heraldic shield framed by an oak wreath. At its top there is a double-headed eagle.
In addition to the emblem and flag of the Airborne Forces, there is also the motto of the Airborne Forces: “Nobody but us.” The paratroopers even have their own heavenly patron- Saint Elijah.
Professional holiday of paratroopers - Airborne Forces Day. It is celebrated on August 2. On this day in 1930, a unit was parachuted for the first time to carry out a combat mission. On August 2, Airborne Forces Day is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
The Russian airborne troops are armed with both conventional types military equipment, as well as samples developed specifically for this type of troops, taking into account the specifics of its tasks.
It is difficult to name the exact number of the Russian Airborne Forces; this information is secret. However, according to unofficial data obtained from Russian Ministry defense, it is about 45 thousand soldiers. Foreign estimates of the number of this type of troops are somewhat more modest - 36 thousand people.
History of the creation of the Airborne Forces
The homeland of the Airborne Forces is the Soviet Union. It was in the USSR that the first airborne unit was created, this happened in 1930. First, a small detachment appeared, which was part of a regular rifle division. On August 2, the first parachute landing was successfully carried out during exercises at the training ground near Voronezh.
However, the first use of parachute landing in military affairs occurred even earlier, in 1929. During the siege of the Tajik city of Garm by anti-Soviet rebels, a detachment of Red Army soldiers was dropped there by parachute, which made it possible to release the settlement in the shortest possible time.
Two years later, a special purpose brigade was formed on the basis of the detachment, and in 1938 it was renamed the 201st Airborne Brigade. In 1932, by decision of the Revolutionary Military Council, special-purpose aviation battalions were created; in 1933, their number reached 29. They were part of the Air Force, and their main task was to disorganize the enemy rear and carry out sabotage.
It should be noted that the development of airborne troops in the Soviet Union was very stormy and rapid. No expense was spared on them. In the 1930s, the country was experiencing a real parachute boom; parachute jumping towers stood at almost every stadium.
During the exercises of the Kyiv Military District in 1935, a mass parachute landing was practiced for the first time. The following year, an even more massive landing was carried out in the Belarusian Military District. Foreign military observers invited to the exercises were amazed by the scale of the landings and the skill of the Soviet paratroopers.
Before the start of the war, airborne corps were created in the USSR, each of them included up to 10 thousand soldiers. In April 1941, by order of the Soviet military leadership, five airborne corps were deployed in the western regions of the country; after the German attack (in August 1941), the formation of another five airborne corps began. A few days before the German invasion (June 12), the Directorate of Airborne Forces was created, and in September 1941, paratrooper units were removed from the subordination of front commanders. Each airborne corps was a very formidable force: in addition to well-trained personnel, it was armed with artillery and light amphibious tanks.
In addition to the landing corps, the Red Army also included mobile landing brigades (five units), reserve airborne regiments (five units) and educational establishments who trained paratroopers.
The Airborne Forces made a significant contribution to the victory over the Nazi invaders. The airborne units played a particularly important role in the initial—the most difficult—period of the war. Despite the fact that airborne troops are designed to conduct offensive operations and have a minimum of heavy weapons (compared to other branches of the military), at the beginning of the war, paratroopers were often used to “patch holes”: in defense, to eliminate sudden German breakthroughs, to releasing the encircled Soviet troops. Because of this practice, paratroopers suffered unreasonably high losses, and the effectiveness of their use decreased. Often, the preparation of landing operations left much to be desired.
Airborne units took part in the defense of Moscow, as well as in the subsequent counter-offensive. The 4th Airborne Corps was landed during the Vyazemsk landing operation in the winter of 1942. In 1943, during the crossing of the Dnieper, two airborne brigades were thrown behind enemy lines. Another major landing operation was carried out in Manchuria in August 1945. During its course, 4 thousand soldiers were landed by landing.
In October 1944, the Soviet Airborne Forces were transformed into a separate Airborne Guards Army, and in December of the same year into the 9th Guards Army. Airborne divisions turned into ordinary rifle divisions. At the end of the war, paratroopers took part in the liberation of Budapest, Prague, and Vienna. The 9th Guards Army ended its glorious military journey on the Elbe.
In 1946, airborne units were introduced into the Ground Forces and were subordinate to the country's Minister of Defense.
In 1956, Soviet paratroopers took part in the suppression of the Hungarian uprising, and in the mid-60s they played key role in the pacification of another country that wanted to leave the socialist camp - Czechoslovakia.
After the end of the war, the world entered an era of confrontation between two superpowers - the USSR and the USA. Plans Soviet leadership were by no means limited only to defense, so the airborne troops developed especially actively during this period. The emphasis was placed on increasing the firepower of the Airborne Forces. For this purpose, a whole range of airborne equipment was developed, including armored vehicles, artillery systems, automobile transport. The fleet of military transport aircraft was significantly increased. In the 70s, wide-body heavy-duty transport aircraft were created, making it possible to transport not only personnel, but also heavy military equipment. By the end of the 80s, the state of the USSR military transport aviation was such that it could ensure the parachute drop of almost 75% of the Airborne Forces personnel in one flight.
At the end of the 60s it was created the new kind units that are part of the Airborne Forces - air assault units (ASH). They were not much different from the rest of the Airborne Forces, but were subordinate to the command of groups of troops, armies or corps. The reason for the creation of the DShCh was a change in the tactical plans that Soviet strategists were preparing in the event of a full-scale war. After the start of the conflict, they planned to “break” the enemy’s defenses with the help of massive landings landed in the immediate rear of the enemy.
In the mid-80s, the USSR Ground Forces included 14 air assault brigades, 20 battalions and 22 separate air assault regiments.
In 1979, the war began in Afghanistan, and the Soviet Airborne Forces took an active part in it. During this conflict, the paratroopers had to engage in counter-guerrilla warfare; of course, there was no talk of any parachute landing. Personnel were delivered to the site of combat operations using armored vehicles or vehicles; landing from helicopters was used less frequently.
Paratroopers were often used to provide security at numerous outposts and checkpoints scattered throughout the country. Typically, airborne units performed tasks more suitable for motorized rifle units.
It should be noted that in Afghanistan, the paratroopers used military equipment of the ground forces, which was more suitable for the harsh conditions of this country than their own. Also, airborne units in Afghanistan were reinforced with additional artillery and tank units.
After the collapse of the USSR, the division of its armed forces began. These processes also affected the paratroopers. They were able to finally divide the Airborne Forces only in 1992, after which the Russian Airborne Forces were created. They included all the units that were located on the territory of the RSFSR, as well as part of the divisions and brigades that were previously located in other republics of the USSR.
In 1993, the Russian Airborne Forces included six divisions, six air assault brigades and two regiments. In 1994, in Kubinka near Moscow, the 45th regiment was created on the basis of two battalions special purpose Airborne Forces (so-called special forces of the Airborne Forces).
The 90s became a serious test for the Russian airborne troops (as well as for the entire army). The number of airborne forces was seriously reduced, some units were disbanded, and the paratroopers became subordinate Ground Forces. Army aviation was transferred to the air force, which significantly worsened the mobility of the airborne forces.
The Russian airborne troops took part in both Chechen campaigns; in 2008, paratroopers were involved in the Ossetian conflict. The Airborne Forces have repeatedly taken part in peacekeeping operations (for example, in the former Yugoslavia). Airborne units regularly participate in international exercises; they guard Russian military bases abroad (Kyrgyzstan).
Structure and composition of the airborne troops of the Russian Federation
Currently, the Russian Airborne Forces consist of command structures, combat units and units, as well as various institutions that provide them.
Structurally, the Airborne Forces have three main components:
- Airborne. It includes all airborne units.
- Air assault. Consists of air assault units.
- Mountain. It includes air assault units designed to operate in mountainous areas.
Currently, the Russian Airborne Forces include four divisions, as well as separate brigades and shelves. Airborne troops, composition:
- 76th Guards Air Assault Division, stationed in Pskov.
- 98th Guards Airborne Division, located in Ivanovo.
- 7th Guards Air Assault (Mountain) Division, stationed in Novorossiysk.
- 106th Guards Airborne Division - Tula.
Airborne regiments and brigades:
- 11th Separate Guards airborne brigade, location is the city of Ulan-Ude.
- 45th separate guards special purpose brigade (Moscow).
- 56th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Place of deployment - the city of Kamyshin.
- 31st Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade. Located in Ulyanovsk.
- 83rd Separate Guards Airborne Brigade. Location: Ussuriysk.
- 38th Separate Guards Airborne Communications Regiment. Located in the Moscow region, in the village of Medvezhye Ozera.
In 2013, the creation of the 345th Air Assault Brigade in Voronezh was officially announced, but then the formation of the unit was postponed to more late date(2017 or 2019). There is information that in 2019, an airborne assault battalion will be deployed on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula, and in the future, on its basis, a regiment of the 7th Airborne Assault Division, which is currently deployed in Novorossiysk, will be formed.
In addition to combat units, the Russian Airborne Forces also include educational institutions that train personnel for the Airborne Forces. The main and most famous of them is the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, which also trains officers for the Russian Airborne Forces. Also, the structure of this type of troops includes two Suvorov schools (in Tula and Ulyanovsk), the Omsk Cadet Corps and the 242nd The educational center, located in Omsk.
Armament and equipment of the Russian Airborne Forces
The airborne troops of the Russian Federation use both combined arms equipment and models that were created specifically for this type of troops. Most types of weapons and military equipment of the Airborne Forces were developed and manufactured during the Soviet period, but there are also more modern models created in modern times.
The most popular types of airborne armored vehicles are currently the BMD-1 (about 100 units) and BMD-2M (about 1 thousand units) airborne combat vehicles. Both of these vehicles were produced in the Soviet Union (BMD-1 in 1968, BMD-2 in 1985). They can be used for landing both by landing and by parachute. These are reliable vehicles that have been tested in many armed conflicts, but they are clearly outdated, both morally and physically. Even senior management representatives openly say this. Russian army., which was put into service in 2004. However, its production is slow; today there are 30 BMP-4 units and 12 BMP-4M units in service.
Also in service airborne units there are a small number of armored personnel carriers BTR-82A and BTR-82AM (12 pieces), as well as the Soviet BTR-80. The most numerous armored personnel carrier currently used by the Russian Airborne Forces is the tracked BTR-D (more than 700 units). It was put into service in 1974 and is very outdated. It should be replaced by the BTR-MDM “Shell”, but so far its production is moving very slowly: today there are from 12 to 30 (according to various sources) “Shell” in combat units.
The anti-tank weapons of the Airborne Forces are represented by the 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled anti-tank gun (36 units), self-propelled anti-tank systems BTR-RD “Robot” (more than 100 units) and a wide range of different ATGMs: “Metis”, “Bassoon”, “Konkurs” and “Cornet”.
The Russian Airborne Forces also have self-propelled and towed artillery: the Nona self-propelled gun (250 units and several hundred more units in storage), the D-30 howitzer (150 units), and the Nona-M1 mortars (50 units) and "Tray" (150 units).
Airborne air defense systems consist of portable missile systems(various modifications of “Igla” and “Verba”), as well as the short-range air defense system “Strela”. Special attention should be paid to the newest Russian MANPADS “Verba”, which was only recently put into service and is now being put into trial operation in only a few units of the Russian Armed Forces, including the 98th Airborne Division.
The Airborne Forces also operate self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery mounts BTR-ZD "Skrezhet" (150 units) of Soviet production and towed anti-aircraft artillery mounts ZU-23-2.
IN last years The Airborne Forces began to receive new models of automotive equipment, of which the Tiger armored car, the A-1 all-terrain vehicle and the KAMAZ-43501 truck should be noted.
The airborne troops are sufficiently equipped with communication, control and electronic warfare. Among them, modern Russian developments should be noted: electronic warfare systems "Leer-2" and "Leer-3", "Infauna", the control system for air defense complexes "Barnaul", automated troop control systems "Andromeda-D" and "Polet-K".
The Airborne Forces are armed with a wide range of small arms, which includes both Soviet designs and newer Russian developments. The latter include the Yarygin pistol, PMM and the PSS silent pistol. The main personal weapon of the fighters remains the Soviet AK-74 assault rifle, but deliveries to the troops of the more advanced AK-74M have already begun. To carry out sabotage missions, paratroopers can use the Russian-made Val Orlan-10 silent assault rifle. The exact number of Orlans in service with the Airborne Forces is unknown.
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The story of how Margelov jumped with a parachute for the first time or the general’s receipt for 6 jumps:
It is known that... in 1948, during his first jump, he was 40 years old (for the Airborne Forces this is “pre-retirement” age; doctors sometimes do not recommend jumping if there is no appropriate physical training). The height was 400 meters (today this is the height for extreme sports enthusiasts), we jumped from a balloon basket.
It is known that... before he began to command the paratroopers, General Margelov made a bet on 6 jumps with General Denisenko in the reception room of the Airborne Forces Commander. On the third jump, the new airborne division commander, General Denisenko, died tragically. Margelov did not stop - he only broke his legs twice during the first jumps (during the war, his most severe shrapnel wounds were in his legs). Perhaps (my version) since then - airborne recruit before the oath he had to do 6 jumps (which we did).
It is known that... for all the jumps, Margelov took weapons with him (including the first one) - a Mauser and grenades, saying: “Already in the sky, a soldier must join the battle!” In the presence of Margelov, everyone jumped with weapons, otherwise they could get hit in the neck, but after Margelov retired, they only jumped with weapons during exercises.
The story of how the people's medal "Margelov" appeared or who has the right to present the "airborne non-governmental award":
It is known that... only in Belarus there is an official state medal “Margelov”, approved by the President of the Republic Alexander Lukashenko...
It is known that ... in Russia and the CIS the Margelov medal (it appeared on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Airborne Forces) is unofficially presented by the “Supreme Council of the USSR” under the leadership of Sazha Umalatova (25 rubles per medal), and their medal was also established in the Moscow Cadet Corps named after . G. Zhukov (medal No. 1 - A.V. Margelov).
It is known that ... the Union of Airborne Veterans (created at the end of 2002) issues a statement addressed to the Commander of the Airborne Forces about the introduction in the troops (until the end of 2003) of an official airborne award named after Army General V. F. Margelov ...
It is known that... in different parts of the CIS and Russia, where “Father” Margelov is remembered, boxing and wrestling, shooting, parachuting, and skiing competitions are held in honor of his name. Veterans of the Airborne Forces open teenage clubs “Margelovets”.
It is known that... five monuments to Margelov have been erected in the world (Moscow - Novodevichye Cemetery, Ryazan, Tula, Omsk and Dnepropetrovsk), busts have been erected in Pskov and Kosovo (there is information that in Ecuador, local special forces are fighting drug lords at the entrance to their headquarters they hung a portrait of Margelov. Since then, drug dealers believe that the General is their leader. Perhaps someone studied in Ryazan and met with Margelov). Skilled sculptors mastered the production for Airborne Forces Day: a bust of Margelov and figurines of paratroopers with parachutes - “for an amateur.”
The story of how Margelov “boiled” cooks for charred porridge or the “Stalingrad Cauldron” in Margelov’s style:
It is known that... as soon as Margelov received the unit, he went to the kitchen to check the rear service. He believed that food was important to a soldier's fighting ability.
Once... having tasted burnt porridge before the battles near Stalingrad, Margelov shoved the cook into a cold cauldron of porridge, accusing him of aiding the Germans, who would see in battle not the weapons of the Red Army soldiers, but their lowered pants. In addition, after this incident, he ordered the officers to eat with the soldiers so that the commanders could see how their soldiers were eating.
It is known that... the Margelovsky regiment stood in tough defense, not allowing German tanks Guderian to release Field Marshal Paulus from the Stalingrad Cauldron. For the first time, Hitler threw a super-tank with new armor, the “Royal Tiger-4,” into a breakthrough. In 1945, German generals remembered the Margelov regiment in December 1942 near Stalingrad and decided that it was better to surrender than to fight again with such a commander as Margelov.
It is known that... that the corps commander, Major General Chanchibidze, after the defeat of the German troops of the Goth group, summoned Margelov and, at the meeting, without talking, hit the lieutenant colonel in the cheekbone. Resisting, Margelov also silently punched the general in the face. In response I heard: “Maladetz - you will be the division commander,” after which he began to accept Margelov’s report.
The story of how Margelov shot motorcycles or the “heady air of Europe”:
Once... in Romania, Margelov was hospitalized with a broken leg after reckless driving on a captured German motorcycle (good Bessarabian wine also played a role). And then he saw that half of his officers were (or were) lying with similar injuries. Standing on crutches, Margelov went out into the hospital yard and shot all the motorcycles that stood in the yard from his Mauser, and then ordered all owners of “trophy horses on wheels” to do the same.
It is known that... Margelov and the officers of his headquarters visited the Carpathians in 1944 at a real noble ball, where they almost married his guarantor to the princess’s daughter.
The story of how in 1953 Margelov met the Voroshilov amnesty or the Death of Stalin:
It is known that... On November 7, 1953, Margelov, alone before the arrival of the commandant’s office soldiers, pacifying the brawl (a train of amnestied penal prisoners stood at a dead end) at the Svobodny station, said to a drunken and angry crowd of former prisoners - “Who am I? Uncle Vasya (and he showed, turning back the collar of his overcoat, the Star of the Hero of the USSR), and my troops are behind me and if it doesn’t stop...” The former prisoners “capitulated” and received 15 days of arrest “for violating public order” at the guardhouse of the airborne regiment on behalf of Margelov, the commander of the Far Eastern Airborne Corps (from the author - what soldiers of other types of troops are most afraid of is falling into the hands of an airborne patrol and into the “lip” Airborne Forces)
It is known that... when tens of thousands of prisoners were released from Stalin’s camps. Margelov ordered all officers to carry weapons around the clock to protect themselves from unpunished “amnestied” bandits. He himself slept with a Mauser under his pillow and once almost shot him in the dark 7 year old son Alexander, who accidentally walked into his father’s bedroom.
It is known that... in 1953, after the death of Stalin and the arrest of Beria, Margelov was offered the position of military commandant of Moscow or a job in the Foreign Ministry. He replied that he did not want to be a Moscow policeman, but in “civilian life” to ruin friendly relations with all the ambassadors, since “I’m not used to choosing words - I say what is.”
It is known that... Margelov met with Klim Voroshilov twice (the first - as a cadet he was awarded personalized watch, the second time - he was pulled out wounded from the front line on the Leningrad Front). But he “did not accept” Voroshilov’s liberal amnesty in Stalin’s camps in the summer of 1953.
The story of how the vest appeared and took to the Airborne Forces or “Don’t show me fly agarics...”:
One day... in November 1941, near Leningrad, Major Margelov was assigned to create the first Special Ski Regiment of volunteer sailors who presented their commander with a black and white vest...
It is known that... Margelov’s son, Alexander, keeps his father’s blue and white vest, which Dad wore until his last day...
One day... Commander of the Airborne Forces Margelov began to reform his troops. Along with the introduction of new technology, it changed its form. Minister of Defense Marshal Grechko and the Commander of the Navy were against the wearing of a beret and vest by paratroopers, believing that only “naval” personnel had this right.
It is known that... Behind his back, in the corridors of the Ministry of Defense, Margelov was called respectfully - “our Chapaev” (who was also called Vasily). The beret was allowed, but crimson (the color of the airborne troops European countries), and Margelov “won” the vest for the air infantry, in a dispute because he commanded the marines in 1941...
It is known that... the first parade of paratroopers in the new “Margelov” uniform (in crimson berets) took place in 1967 on Aviation Day in the area of Domodedovo Airport. When Margelov saw crimson berets for the second time at the Ryazan Airborne School at drill review, then he left the parade telling the head of the school not to “show him fly agarics again.”
It is known that... only after 2 years the Airborne Guardsmen received official permission from the USSR Ministry of Defense to wear blue berets and the vests that Soviet citizens saw during the 1969 military parade on Red Square (but in 1968, the Airborne Forces allowed a new uniform, in which the paratroopers were already dressed before they entered the territory of Czechoslovakia).
It is known that... crimson berets appeared in Russia 10 years ago in special forces.
It is known that... American propaganda of the 70s of the Pentagon and NATO on posters about the “Red Threat” replaced a Red Army soldier from the USSR with a Budenovka and a star with a paratrooper in a vest and a blue beret.
The story of how soviet tank fell on the head of the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee or why Leonid Brezhnev fell in love with Margelov:
It is known that... Leonid Brezhnev loved to attend and observe military exercises.
Once upon a time... in the fall of 1967, the Dnepr exercise was held in Ukraine, during which one of the tanks dropped from an airplane flew to the tower where it stood Secretary General CPSU Central Committee, Minister of Defense and Margelov. Everyone who saw this picture ran away, but Margelov was calm. Seeing the calmness of the Airborne Forces Commander, Brezhnev thought that this was the plan during the exercise, although in reality an emergency had occurred.
It is known that... while conducting a “debriefing” during exercises in the Commander’s office, General Pavlenko (Margelov’s first deputy) said: “You are not an air group, but an air asshole,” which became a “catch phrase” among the troops.
The story of how US President Ronald Reagan frightened the Pentagon with Margelov:
One day... US President R. Reagan said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if on the second day of the war I see guys in blue berets on the threshold of the White House”...
It is known that... the “Red Menace” from Hollywood was given to the Americans - nuclear weapon USSR and paratroopers.
It is known that... Margelov was no longer the Commander of the Airborne Forces, but in American cinema a new hero appeared, Rambo (Sylvester Stallone), who in Vietnam and Afghanistan fights with brutal paratroopers in blue berets, and the film “Invasion of the USA” shows how in a week The US is captured by the Airborne Forces from Russia.
One day... General of the US Armed Forces Hake expressed his wish: “If they gave me a company of Russian paratroopers, I would bring the whole world to its knees.”
It is known that... American intelligence long years conducted round-the-clock monitoring of the movements of only one Commander of the troops - Margelov. Since his troops were the “first echelon” troops - those who are the first to go into battle anywhere in the world (this was the topic of Margelov’s doctoral dissertation at the General Staff Academy, but the Minister of Defense forbade the Commander to develop such a topic).
The story of how Margelov lived in the Moscow region for 30 years or why Margelov’s sons lost their father-general’s dacha:
One day... Margelov decided that land should be brought from Ryazan to the dacha.
It is known that... Dad spent all his free time at the dacha, (for decades) he himself worked in the garden and vegetable garden (Vnukovo district). He invited those people whom he trusted to the dacha.
It is known that... Twice in his life he gathered all his sons together. These meetings took place at the dacha.
It is known that ... in the spring of 1990, there was a “quick privatization” of Margelov’s dacha by the rear service of the Ministry of Defense (after the death of Uncle Vasya). At this moment, Margelov’s widow was seriously ill, and her sons believed that no one would take away the dacha.
The story of why Margelov did not become a pilot or the first party reprimand “for foul-mouthed ditties”:
One day... after completing the Red Commanders course in Minsk, Margelov went to study at a flight school in Orenburg (before being drafted into the army, he wanted to be a tank driver).
It is known that... military pilot Margelov mastered flying the U-2.
It is known that... while cleaning weapons, Margelov sang ditties “for the pilots.”
Of course, Vasily Margelov is a legendary personality. The role he played in the development of the Airborne Forces simply cannot be overestimated. It was not by chance that the unofficial decoding of the abbreviation VDV - Uncle Vasya's Troops appeared.
But calling him the founder and creator of the Airborne Forces is still hardly correct. Suffice it to remember that on August 2, 1930, when an airborne unit was parachuted for the first time during an aviation exercise (Air Force) of the Moscow Military District near Voronezh, which is considered to be the birthday of the Airborne Forces, Margelov was still studying at the United Belarusian Military School named after . Central Executive Committee of the BSSR, which he graduated from in 1931.
The thirties were a time of rapid construction of the Soviet Airborne Forces. Already at the Kyiv maneuvers in 1935 and the maneuvers in Belarus in 1936, observers were amazed by an unprecedented spectacle - a mass landing.
In 1939, the 212th Airborne Brigade took part in the battle on the Khalkhin Gol River. The 201st, 204th and 214th brigades (at that time airborne brigades) fought in the Finnish War. And by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, airborne corps had already been created.
Only Vasily Margelov’s service both in the pre-war period and during the Great Patriotic War did not take place at all in the ranks of the “winged infantry”. He served in a military school, rifle units, and even had the opportunity to command a disciplinary battalion.
And in the fall of 1941, Margelov became the commander of the 1st Special Ski Regiment of Red Banner Baltic Fleet sailors. It is with this period in the life of Vasily Filippovich that it is customary to associate the appearance, decades later, of the vest of the “winged infantry,” only in its own, landing version.
Hero at the Victory Parade in Moscow Soviet Union Guard Major General Margelov commanded a battalion in the combined regiment of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. It was the fate of his army that the rank of general and Gold Star Vasily Margelov earned (1944) not in the airborne units.
It is no coincidence that he once said in an interview: “Until the age of 40, I vaguely understood what a parachute was; I never even dreamed of jumping. It happened naturally, or rather, as it should be in the army, by order.” In 1948, Margelov (born in 1908) was appointed commander of the 76th Guards Chernigov Red Banner Airborne Division.
Well, how is it possible, considering the first day of the existence of the Airborne Forces on August 2, 1930, to call the general who began serving in these troops in 1948 their “founder” and “creator”? Where do you want to go with the eighteen-year “pre-Margelov” period of existence of the “winged infantry”?
Another thing is that it was under the command of Vasily Margelov (1954-1959; 1961-1979) that the airborne troops were transformed and became, in the full sense, an elite structure Soviet army, received their own airborne armored vehicles, unique for that time, which dramatically increased their combat capabilities.
The new uniform of the paratroopers—the now familiar beret and vest—became part of a kind of “landing cult” and “airborne chauvinism” skillfully created by Margelov.
Which of the boys of the seventies does not remember the legends about the omnipotence of the paratroopers, which many dreamed of becoming? The competition at the only Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School in the country was outrageous. And when the undeclared war began in Afghanistan, the paratroopers really showed themselves as elite fighters.
And in the last years of the existence of the USSR, when massacres on ethnic grounds in different parts of the disintegrating state became a common occurrence, the use of paratroopers became the most important means of pacifying it.
Even in perhaps the most difficult years for our army - in the mid-nineties of the twentieth century, the Airborne Forces retained their “specialness”. In August 1996, the author of these lines had the opportunity to visit a unit of the 104th Airborne Division in Grozny. How noticeably different were they in better side the discipline and mood of the fighters in the reconnaissance platoon, commanded by Lieutenant Evgeniy Korolev, from what happened to be observed in some units of other, “unwinged” troops...
The paratroopers have retained the feeling of their “specialness” to this day. And, to a large extent, this is the merit of Vasily Margelov, the great transformer, inspirer, and not at all the “founder” of the Airborne Forces.
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