The Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces visited the Military Medical Academy. Commanders-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the USSR and Russia

Colonel General Vasily Tonkoshkurov, the new chief of the main staff of this type of armed forces, will be responsible for the development of the Ground Forces. This is an experienced officer who has repeatedly participated in hostilities and was awarded four military orders. former place his service - the head of the Main Organizational and Mobilization Directorate (GOMU) of the General Staff.

As the Ministry of Defense told Izvestia, Colonel-General Vasily Tonkoshkurov began to perform the duties of Chief of the Main Staff of the Ground Forces - First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of this type of troops from the beginning of May.

This position is traditionally considered a career springboard. For example, Hero of Russia Alexei Dyumin, who was appointed to it in 2015, became the governor of the Tula region a year later. Now he is considered a real contender for the post of head of one of the power ministries in the new government.

Vasily Tonkoshkurov from 1983 to 1985 took part in the hostilities in Afghanistan. Was injured. In 2000, he participated in the counter-terrorist operation on the territory Chechen Republic. He was awarded two Orders of Courage, the Orders of Military Merit and the Red Star, and the Medal of Military Merit.

Chief of Staff - key person in the Ground Forces. It is he who is responsible for their appearance and development, military expert Viktor Murakhovsky told Izvestia.

Today, the main headquarters is primarily responsible for the organizational and staffing structure, - he said. - It is there that decisions are made on the number and armament of motorized rifle and tank units, brigades, divisions and combined arms armies. Partially, General Tonkoshkurov was engaged in this as the head of the GOMU. In the new position, he will also have to solve a number of tasks of operational and combat training. Also, the main headquarters determines which weapons systems will be put into service with the Ground Forces. This is the most extensive range military equipment across all branches of the armed forces.

Vasily Tonkoshkurov is a graduate of the Tashkent Higher Combined Arms Command School. He served in the Group Soviet troops in Germany, then in the Baltic military district. In 1990 he graduated from the Military Academy named after M.V. Frunze. In the Far East, he commanded a motorized rifle regiment, was deputy commander of a guards motorized rifle division. Since July 2004, he commanded in the North Caucasian Military District motorized rifle division. In June 2008, he was appointed chief of staff of the 41st Army of the Siberian Military District, and in June 2009 he became commander. Since 2013 - Head of the Main Organizational and Mobilization Directorate of the General Staff.

For the past two decades, ground forces have been continuously involved in armed conflicts of varying intensity. Therefore, the appointment of an officer with combat experience to this position is a logical decision, military expert Vladislav Shurygin believes.

positive trend recent years in the Ministry of Defense, that officers and generals are appointed to key positions for specific merits in service and combat activities,” he told Izvestia. - At the same time, an officer who commanded in a combat situation is always preferable. He, like no one else, understands what the troops need. Combat experience is all the more important in such a key position as chief of the main staff of the Ground Forces. He is responsible for shaping the appearance of this most numerous and most belligerent type of troops.

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Ground Forces (SV) - the most numerous in combat strength type of armed forces. Consist of motorized rifle, tank troops, missile troops and artillery, air defense SV. In addition, they include special forces: radiation, chemical and biological protection, engineering, communications, electronic warfare and automobile.

The military court yesterday found the ex-commander-in-chief guilty of taking a bribe and sentenced him to five years in a strict regime colony ground forces Vladimir Chirkin. Colonel-General, who two years ago commanded the Victory Parade on Red Square, was stripped of his rank, awards and handcuffed in the courtroom. The convict himself promised to appeal the verdict, but it will not be easy for him to get an acquittal - after all, Mr. Chirkin actually admitted his participation in the crime under a video recording secretly made by operatives.

IN telephone conversation With Kommersant, which took place on the eve of the verdict, Vladimir Chirkin made it clear that he was ready for a guilty verdict. Apparently, for the same reasons, he came to court with things in a bag. The ex-commander-in-chief was right. Judge of the Moscow Garrison Military Court Vadim Korchagin found him guilty of taking a large bribe (part 5 of article 290 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and sentenced him to five years in a strict regime colony. Recall that the state prosecution demanded seven and a half years in the camps for him. By the same verdict, the colonel-general was deprived of his rank and awards - he was left only with the Order of Courage, received for participation in Chechen campaign as Chief of Staff of the 58th Army. Finally, the convict was ordered to return to the victim 450 thousand rubles, which he had previously received as a bribe, and also to pay 34 thousand rubles. fees for court costs.

Even before Judge Korchagin had finished reading the verdict, guards approached the defendant and politely escorted him to a plastic cage for prisoners. The former general, who had commanded the parade on Red Square on May 9, 2013, came out of it, already in handcuffs.

Before he was taken away, Mr. Chirkin managed to tell the journalists that he "had been everywhere except in prison," and then recommended "not to doubt" that he would "fight further."

According to the version of Mr. Chirkin himself, set out by him specifically for Kommersant, the culprit of all his problems was a friend and former subordinate Dmitry Linov, with whom the ex-commander-in-chief began his service in Kantemirovskaya tank division near Naro-Fominsk. In 2008, Mr. Linov and his friend allegedly met with "another dunce" - retired Major Vladimir Lopanov, who needed to improve his living conditions. The latter, according to the convict, told his friends that he had money that he was ready to spend on a bribe for providing new apartment. Those, in turn, told him that "at the headquarters" they have " big friend and an influential person" ready to solve the problem for $20,000.

After this conversation, Dmitry Linov, according to Vladimir Chirkin, who then held the position of deputy commander of the Moscow Military District, turned to him with a request "to help our colleague, a Kantemirovite." The general, who, according to him, did not have a direct relationship with the distribution of housing, then consulted with the district apartment management department regarding the problem of Mr. Lopanov and recommended that the applicant write an application addressed to the commander of the district, Vladimir Bakin. “I didn’t know at all then who this Lopanov was and what kind of apartments in question- Vladimir Chirkin claimed. - He simply fulfilled the request of his friend and immediately forgot about it.

According to the general, he had to “remember” about Mr. Lopanov only five years later, already being the commander-in-chief of the ground forces. As it turned out, the retired major, who gave Dmitry Linov 450,000 rubles, did not receive the apartment promised back in 2008 and, after long squabbles with intermediaries, wrote a statement to the Military Prosecutor's Office. After the inspection carried out there, the Main Military investigation department(GVSU) The ICR opened a criminal case on the fact of a bribe, and Mr. Chirkin found out about it only when he was summoned for interrogation. "I didn't receive any money from Lopanov," the general told Kommersant on the eve of the verdict.

Meanwhile, the evidence obtained by the Investigative Committee of the ICR that Vladimir Chirkin was involved in the alleged crime indicates that in a conversation with Kommersant, he was, to put it mildly, not entirely frank. This is evidenced, in particular, by the recording of the conversation between the accused and Dmitry Linov, which took place the day after the arrest of the intermediary. Mr. Linov, as already reported by Kommersant, immediately agreed to cooperate with the investigation, thanks to this circumstance he was released from criminal liability and sent to Mr. Chirkin for negotiations under a hidden video recording.

As follows from this conversation, Mr. Linov, having met with the former commander at the entrance to his house, as they say, from the threshold told the general the disturbing news. According to the intermediary, "Lopanov wrote everything as it was", in connection with this a criminal case was opened, he himself was recently detained and "promised to close" if he did not testify against the final recipient of the bribe.

Mr. Chirkin's accomplice's statement was clearly stunned. "Yes, the situation," he repeated several times, cursed and said that he knew what to do. After arguing in this way for some time with himself, he made the assumption that "they take fright," but it sounded unconvincing to the interlocutor.

Continuing to bring the commander in chief at that time to the topic set by the investigation, the mediator recalled that he had given him money at home, put it in an ashtray, but Mr. Chirkin immediately caught his friend in a lie. "What are you? What an ashtray? - He was indignant. - You brought them to my office!"

Vladimir Chirkin did not like the conversation started on the topic of returning money to the victim - after the scandal with Mr. Lopanov, the participants in the apartment fraud, as Kommersant already reported, decided to compensate him for material losses, but the retired major was dissatisfied with the calculation. “I have already given my share,” the then commander-in-chief justified himself. “I gave all the money to Mikhal Ivanovich, so that he would give you.

Finally, apparently recovering from the shock, the experienced commander moved from defense to attack. "Dim, it's you who cut the money off him," he declared. "What does it have to do with you giving them to me or not?" As his argument progressed, General Chirkin became more and more inflamed: “Did I ask you for this money? I was dying of hunger? On my knees in front of you? "b") they surrendered to me at all, this money?

Summing up the conversation, the general said that he "did not order money" and was not going to admit his involvement in the bribe now. “I don’t even remember how much you tell me ... (he cursed the interlocutor.— "b") gave, and now what, should I say that I took from you? Basically, you set me up."

It should be noted that Vladimir Chirkin refused to discuss the details of the negotiations recorded at the entrance with Kommersant, citing the "uselessness of further conversation" and the general lack of time. He only lamented that his " former friend, military officer, retired colonel Linov" for the sake of his own salvation, went on about the operatives and agreed to "substitute his former battalion commander in this way" - to come to his house, "weighted with equipment."

Reference: Vladimir Valentinovich Chirkin was born on October 12, 1955 in the city of Khasavyurt, Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (now the Republic of Dagestan). Graduated from the Kazan Suvorov Military School (1974), the Alma-Ata Higher Combined Arms Command School (1978), the Military Academy named after M.V. Frunze (1988), Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (2000).
He served in the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany, Transbaikal, Moscow, Transcaucasia, Far East, North Caucasus and Siberian military districts in various command positions. Commanded a reconnaissance platoon tank regiment, reconnaissance company, battalion. He was chief of staff - deputy commander of a motorized rifle regiment, commander of the SME, chief of staff - deputy commander of a motorized rifle division, division commander (in the Chechen Republic), chief of staff - deputy army commander, army commander. Since 2007 - Deputy Commander of the Moscow Military District. Since December 2008 - Chief of Staff - First Deputy Commander of the Volga-Urals Military District. Since January 2010 - Commander of the Siberian Military District. Since July 2010 - Acting Commander of the Central Military District. Since December 2010 - Commander of the Central Military District.
By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of April 26, 2012, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces.
He was awarded the orders "For Merit to the Fatherland" IV degree, Courage, "For Military Merit", "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree, and many medals.

Comrade Commander-in-Chief, against what background did the summer period learning and what will be the most important in it?

The past winter period was characterized by a significant change in approaches to troop training. In connection with the development of means of armed struggle and the need to introduce new forms and methods of warfare, more than 40 guiding documents were revised and put into effect.
Along with a significant intensification of combat training activities in general, the main efforts were focused on improving the methodological and practical preparedness of officers, which should allow them to qualitatively and short term services of conscripted military personnel to train subordinate units in compliance with the principles of “show first, ask later”, “do as I do”.
Implemented two-stage training for contract servicemen, including intensive combined arms training with a survival course for a period of six weeks and training in a specialty for three months.
In May, a gathering of formation commanders was held, during which, under the leadership of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Scientific Conference, where further directions for improving the training of the Ground Forces were determined, including optimization of the network of training grounds, the creation of a promising army order, brigade and district training and material base, and new generation combat training centers.

The main efforts in the combat training of the Ground Forces in the summer training period will be focused on participation in international exercises. In June, a joint anti-terrorist command and staff exercise of the armed forces of the member states will be held on the territory of Tajikistan Shanghai Organization cooperation "Peace Mission - 2012". In July, Ukraine will host the Ukrainian-Belarusian-Russian tactical exercise "Slavic Commonwealth - 2012". In August, three exercises will be held at once: in the Eastern Military District - the joint Russian-Indian exercise "Indra-2012", in the Central Military District - a joint tactical exercise with the command of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces of the Central Asian Region, and in Kazakhstan - operational-tactical command and staff exercise "Aldaspan-2012".
I will especially note the strategic command-staff exercise Kavkaz-2012, planned for September, in which the Ground Forces are assigned the leading role.
More than 90 tactical exercises with live firing, up to 40 command and staff exercises. On the basis of one of the brigades, an experiment will be conducted on the possibility of training motorized rifle units (up to and including a battalion) in armed conflicts for four months.

- Vladimir Valentinovich, the recent appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces did not come as a surprise to you? However, your military biography allows us to conclude that for the Ground Forces you, as they say, are one hundred percent your own person. You probably know them strengths And weak spots, you have an idea about the problems and how to solve them. What areas of your activity as Commander-in-Chief will become a priority in soon?

The serviceman is ready for changes throughout the service, so I can’t say that the current appointment took me by surprise. As for the main direction of the forthcoming activity, this is the further development of combat training. The means of armed struggle are changing, followed by changes in the forms of warfare. New combat manuals of the Ground Forces, manuals for conducting tactical exercises, shooting and driving courses, and standards for combat training have been approved and published. As shown by local conflicts that occurred not only outside Soviet Union and Russia, but, unfortunately, on our territory, we need to fight in a different way. If there are separate military conflicts, then apply Armed forces, tactical groups need a new way. This means that combat training should be conducted differently.
The transition to attracting third-party organizations as part of outsourcing has made it possible today to free soldiers from non-core functions. The personnel began to engage in more combat training, to be in the field. However, a whole galaxy of middle-level commanders has grown up who did not catch those times when combat training was carried out with the highest intensity. I want not only to return to those times, but to explain, help, and somewhere even force me to engage in combat training as much as necessary.
There is no alternative to combat training in matters of strengthening military discipline. People should mind their own business. I will demand that individual work with each soldier be carried out in more detail and scrupulously. Take at least the crew of the tank - on how prepared each executive depends on the success of the actions of the entire crew. It is not enough just to shoot the exercise and report on the implementation. It is necessary that the soldier endure real knowledge after each lesson, acquire certain skills and build them up in subsequent lessons, gaining experience, so that, if necessary, in the hour of trials, apply it.

- Responsible for the combat readiness of the Ground Forces, you must be able to determine what exactly the troops need, participating in the formation of the state defense order. Do you, as the commander-in-chief, have such an opportunity? What, in your opinion, new systems of weapons and military equipment should the Ground Forces receive in the first place?

As part of the implementation State program of weapons, a comprehensive re-equipment of the Ground Forces with modern weapons was planned. Until 2015, the main efforts will be focused on the purchase of modern samples.
Unmanned aerial vehicles, reconnaissance, control and communications complexes KRUS "Sagittarius", special armored vehicles "Lynx" will be purchased for intelligence units. For military air defense units - anti-aircraft missile systems"S-300V4", "Buk-MZ", "Tor-M2" and portable anti-aircraft missile systems"Verba". For missile and artillery units - operational-tactical missile systems "Iskander-M", jet systems salvo fire"Tornado-G (S)", self-propelled howitzers "Msta-S" with an automated gun guidance system (ASUNO), self-propelled anti-tank missile systems "Chrysantema-S". For communication units - modern means of communication of the tactical level of command: command and staff vehicles, satellite communication stations, radio relay stations.
Combined arms and tank units will receive armored weapons and equipment - T-72B1 (2) tanks, which are a deep modernization of T-72 tanks to the level of T-90, as well as BTR-82A armored personnel carriers.

- In the leading foreign armies, the crews of tanks and armored fighting vehicles have much more advanced personal protective equipment than just body armor and a helmet, - military personnel perform combat missions in special anti-fragment overalls. When will similar overalls appear for our drivers of armored personnel carriers, tank and infantry fighting vehicle drivers, and other armored combat vehicles?

Since the crews of armored vehicles are affected both by secondary (split) fragments and as a result of fire-thermal exposure, more and more attention is paid to their equipment. The main task is to develop a set of clothing that combines protection of the head and chest from bullets and shrapnel. Uniforms should also enable people to leave the car, to be protected in the event of a tank hit.
The sets of protective clothing for tank crews in the armies of NATO countries consist of fire-resistant overalls, bulletproof vest and armored helmet.
The first Russian multifunctional protective agent for military personnel of armored units - a protective kit for crews of armored vehicles "Cowboy" - unique in its technical component. A comparison of the "Cowboy" with the best foreign models showed that in terms of anti-shatter resistance, the helmet of an American tanker "holds" a gram fragment flying at a speed of 245 m / s, and ours - 460. The American tanker's body armor will protect against a two-gram fragment flying at a speed of 335 m / s s, and ours - from the same fragment, having a speed of 420 m / s. The Russian jumpsuit holds an open flame for 25 seconds, and the American one for 15. The Cowboy kit is currently being actively supplied to the troops, primarily to the formations of the Southern Military District.

- Has the revision been completed? unified system management at the tactical level (ESU TZ), about which Krasnaya Zvezda wrote more than once? Are you satisfied with its capabilities on the battlefield? How do you see the development of automated control systems in general?

The development of ESU TK was the first work of this level after a rather long break. More than 50 industrial enterprises are involved in the creation of the system. Note that the leading foreign countries- The USA, Germany, Italy, France are also paying close attention to issues of automation at the tactical level.
Currently, the completion of the domestic ESU TK is in the final stage. In June of this year, a comprehensive audit is planned to eliminate the comments identified during state tests. Based on its results, it will be possible to draw conclusions about the compliance of the system with the requirements of modern combat and make a decision on the volume of deliveries to the troops. To date, a number of ESU TK elements have already been accepted for supply to the Russian Armed Forces. These are the Sagittarius equipment complexes for the reconnaissance units of the Ground Forces, the Barnaul-T air defense control automation systems, and the automated control system of the Airborne Forces. These tools can be used both as part of the ESU TK and independently, which ensures an increase in the combat effectiveness of tactical military formations.
Based on the requirements for modern combat, in the tactical level of funds management automated control troops and weapons are not enough. Most promising direction further development - the creation of software products that provide intellectual support for the work of commanders of combined arms formations and subunits, interaction with other troops.
The High Command of the Ground Forces is working with enterprises and organizations involved in the development of combat control software, including on an initiative basis. Many developments are considered promising and will be applied.

- What do you think, what unmanned aircrafts and with what performance characteristics should be in service in the Ground Forces. Are they produced by our industry?

This year, state tests of the Orlan-10 multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle complex with various payloads with a range of up to 120 km manufactured by STC LLC (St. Petersburg) were completed.
State tests of short-range aerial reconnaissance systems Eleron-3 with a range of up to 25 km and Eleron-10 (up to 50 km) manufactured by CJSC Enix (Kazan) are being carried out.
Complexes with Tachyon UAVs with a range of up to 40 km (Izhmash - Unmanned Systems, Izhevsk) and ZALA421-08 with a range of up to 15 km (group of companies ZALA-AERO, Izhevsk).

- Can it be argued that now, with the confrontation of armies that have a variety of advanced reconnaissance equipment (including space ones), as well as an impressive arsenal of high-precision weapons, digging trenches has lost its meaning? That is, positional defense is completely outdated, giving way to mobile defense, in which the troops, in order not to fall under enemy fire, must constantly maneuver. If so, what adjustments have been made to the combat training programs of units and subunits of the Ground Forces in connection with this?

Indeed, the tactical training program of the Ground Forces has been refined and priority is given to mobile defense. In modern conditions, the defense must be built adequately to the actions of the enemy, blocking the main directions available for the actions of the troops, using ambushes and maneuvering actions.
At the same time, positional defense is not denied, but its conduct is assumed only in separate sectors, based on the conditions of the terrain, the characteristics of the enemy, the time of year, day, and the prevailing situation. Positional defense still remains quite appropriate on terrain passable for vehicles, because it is engineering, fortifications that will help save troops. By the way, even mobile defense provides for some preparation in engineering terms, and only after striking is it supposed to use a maneuver to draw the enemy into fire bags, minefields.

- fighting in Afghanistan in the 1980s, then counter-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus are known to have had a significant impact on combat training troops. Subdivisions and units began to train actions in highlands small groups against relatively few bands of terrorists. Do you think there is a bias here? Should the Ground Forces be ready for large-scale battles on the plains?

The results of the analysis of the forms and methods of using the forces and means of the armies of foreign states in operations in armed conflicts recent decades, as well as the provisions of current and prospective guidance documents, allow us to conclude that they are abandoning large-scale linear operations and moving on to maneuver operations in front of the front, on the flanks and behind enemy lines by various tactical groupings with simultaneous impact on its combat formations, as well as on elements of the management system and comprehensive support.
The use of the Ground Forces must adequately respond to potential threats to military security. Proceeding from this, we have never missed the issues of preparing formations and associations for actions of various scales, in various geographic and climatic conditions. Now the whole world is fighting terrorism, many international and domestic exercises are of an anti-terrorist nature. At the same time, the Russian Ground Forces are preparing to conduct combat operations as part of joint groupings, as evidenced by the stages of the draws of last year's Center-2011 strategic exercise, where, along with counter-terrorism, operational episodes were played with offensive and defensive goals with the involvement of combined arms formations. Thus, formations of the 41st Army, conducting a mobile defense in their area of ​​responsibility, retreated to a depth of up to 350 km, and the 2nd Army used offensive actions.

- A bilateral exercise is much more beneficial if its participants are equipped with laser firing and destruction simulators (LISP). Experiments with the use of LISP took place in the Taman division before the formation of a motorized rifle brigade on its basis. However, so far large-scale maneuvers using these simulators have not been carried out. Maybe the Armed Forces refused to buy them in bulk? If yes, why? If not, when will it be possible to equip LISP with at least two motorized rifle battalions in each military district for bilateral BTU?

Currently, within the framework of development work on the Brigada-U project to create a complex of simulator automated training tools to equip a new generation combat training center (Mulino village Nizhny Novgorod region) a complex of automated range equipment is being developed to equip fire and tactical training facilities. Also, a complex of polygon equipment is being created for objective monitoring of the results of driving combat vehicles and tanks at the tankodrome. The developed polygon equipment in terms of its characteristics will not be inferior to samples of foreign production. Planned completion of work and delivery of polygon equipment - 2013.
In addition, within the framework of the same R&D, it is planned to create laser simulators of firing and destruction of the main modern means of simulating combat, providing for imitation of fire from armored weapons, artillery systems, air defense systems, imitation of the use of demining installations, the entire line small arms and grenade launchers, which are in service with a motorized rifle brigade.
To date, this LISP system is the most effective in comparison with analogues of domestic and foreign manufacturers. The LISP system being developed provides for the conduct of bilateral tactical exercises on a battalion-to-battalion scale, as well as objective control over the actions of trained units and the preparation of materials for the analysis of tactical exercises. After the pilot operation of this sample, such kits are planned to be purchased for the formations of the Ground Forces.

- This year, the Armed Forces, including the Ground Forces, should receive special reinforcements - sergeants of a new formation who have completed their studies at the faculty of secondary vocational education of the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. Do you think they will live up to expectations?

The purpose of organizing the training of sergeants was to train highly professional junior commanders with a secondary vocational education, with high leadership qualities capable of effectively and efficiently fulfilling their official duties for their intended purpose, including in positions previously filled by officers and ensigns.
Training in military educational institutions of these sergeants ensures their ability and readiness to manage units, comprehensively support their activities in preparation for battle, in battle and after battle, as well as in solving everyday tasks. They are required to manage technical support the activities of units, the practical use of regular and the development of new types of weapons and military equipment. They must be able to organize educational work with subordinate personnel, conduct different kinds training sessions, to carry out logistic support activities. Finally, sergeants must confidently carry out required list physical exercise, to overcome significant physical exertion.
At the same time, it is important to note that the training of sergeants in military universities is organized on the basis of the state educational standard for secondary vocational education in civil specialties. For example, for motorized riflemen, tankers and scouts, this is the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.
Today, we can say that military educational institutions are fully fulfilling the task assigned to them. With what quality this category military personnel will perform their duties and how fully their professional knowledge and skills will be realized in the troops, it will be possible to say after each sergeant begins to show the results of his training. Then it will become clear what shortcomings in the preparation will have to be corrected in the future.

- It's nice to see people like you, slender, fit commanders. Are you friends with sports?

I have had good results in athletics. He was engaged in football, volleyball, basketball, handball, military triathlon, shooting and other military-applied sports. I love sports and I want young people to go to sports grounds, stadiums, football fields more.

- Do you have children. Is their fate connected with the army?

I have four children and four grandchildren. The son is an officer. I'm proud of them. After me, he served in Chechnya for five and a half years, in the 42nd division. Now he continues to serve in Maykop. I follow its development, sometimes I provide methodological assistance, but no more than that.

“The parade is pride for your country”

A few days remain until one of the most important holidays of the country - Victory Day. On this day, military parades will be held in 28 Russian cities. Of course, the parade on Red Square will be the most colorful. On the eve of the holiday, "MK" met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, Colonel-General Oleg Salyukov. Oleg Leonidovich will command the Victory Parade for the fourth year, so he knows all the nuances of preparing for it. About why parades are held, what difficulties their participants have to face, and much more, read in an interview with MK.

- Oleg Leonidovich, millions of people around the world are watching the Victory Parade. What do you think, besides demonstrating the power of the Russian army, what else does it give to the inhabitants of our country?

- About two years ago, one of the central TV channels showed a story about little boy, who greeted the parade crews at the exit from Red Square, as it should be for all military personnel, with his hand on his cap. And the ceremonial calculations, seeing this, without saying a word, greeted him at the command “Alignment to the right!”.

Of course, we found this little boy and invited him, along with his older brother and parents, to visit the High Command. Ordinary family, not related to the army. We have held interesting conversation. I asked Ilya (that's what his name is) who taught him this. To which the 4-year-old boy replied that when he saw the passing soldiers and ahead of the commander, he himself decided to meet them in a military way.

By the way, Ilya promised that when he grows up, he will enter a military school, which caused a smile from his mother, either from surprise, or from the unexpectedness of the answer. The boy is actively involved in sports: skiing, swimming - our man, a real fighter. And if he really decides later to connect his life with the Armed Forces, then this is also thanks to such events as the Victory Parade. We will follow his fate.

And how many more of these boys watch the parade on TV and dream of becoming real defenders of the Motherland!

Speaking in general, in recent years, thanks to the high image of our Armed Forces, even for night rehearsals, not to mention the general rehearsals, there are a lot of people who want to get in, look at the equipment, go through parade boxes. People greet the participants of the parade, Muscovites and guests of the capital are asked to take a picture together, they say thank you at the meeting. And it is clear that this comes from a pure heart.

The military parade on Red Square is not only a demonstration of power modern army. It is also pride in one's country, confidence in the future. And when we see positive emotions in response, we understand that we are doing our job for good reason.

- Now there are only a few days left before the start of the parade, how is the preparation going, are there any other rough edges that need to be eliminated?

- The best of the best will be on the parade. The selection was very serious, but there are still minor shortcomings, of course. Nevertheless, all shortcomings are eliminated quickly during training.

The entire staff of the ceremonial calculation takes the matter very seriously. I can not fail to note the clear leaders today. This is traditionally the Military University of the Russian Ministry of Defense, units of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and, of course, cadets of the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School. I cannot fail to mention our "stars" - the division of female soldiers. This year, according to the decision of the Minister of Defense, not one, but two ceremonial crews will be held. They have no equal in beauty and desire to express themselves. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to “stimulate” the male half, those who do not succeed in everything, promising to appoint a girl as their instructor.

At parade training, in between passes, I tell the guys: “Communicate, because later, when they put on dress uniform and will be even more dazzlingly beautiful, not all of you will have the courage to approach, and there will be much less chance of getting to know each other. (Laughs.)

In addition to grueling training and educational process within the framework of the approved by the Minister of Defense cultural program in free time parade participants make excursions to memorable places, because not everyone will be able to visit Moscow. Teams of amateur performances of the Central House constantly go to their places of residence Russian army. Recently, the organizers of the action "Under the Banner of Victory!", the Main Department for Work with Personnel at the training ground, presented gifts to the best military personnel, veterans who were present at the parade training. All participants are awarded medals and badges "Parade Participant", photographs for memory. After all, it's great. It is a memory and pride for life that he participated in such a landmark event for the whole country.

I think that they will tell their children and even grandchildren with admiration about their participation in this event.

- Are there any differences in the formation at the training ground in Alabino, where the main training takes place, and on Red Square?

- Of course have. On the site in Alabino, it is somewhat easier to train. In size, it is exactly the same as Red Square. But there we trained on a concrete surface, and Red Square is paved with paving stones, and this greatly affects the passage. And here it is important to feel the elbow of a friend, which allows you to keep alignment in the ranks. There are many other nuances to which we pay special attention. important here and psychological readiness each separately. It's one thing when you have the opportunity to pass several times, and quite another when you have to show everything you are capable of from the first run. That is why in training I constantly aim for an excellent passage from the first time, since we will not have additional attempts on Red Square.

A specially developed training methodology also contributes to the successful passage. In general, the training program was approved by the Minister of Defense. He personally inspected one of the training sessions together with the Chief of the General Staff, who also has a huge personal experience preparation and conduct of parades on Red Square.

- Are the main motivators the commanders or should each fighter individually be able to prepare himself for the parade?

- Now the time has come when a lot depends on the commander's ability to mobilize his subordinates. A certain cycle has already been completed, the personnel has been trained. Now a lot depends on how the leader can set people up. It is important to raise their spirit, somewhere kind word, somewhere as a joke to relieve nervousness and unnecessary worries.

We have someone to take an example from - our Minister of Defense. He is in this unique person. Possessing an amazing sense of humor, the minister can feel the nervousness of people, relieve any feelings and set people up to complete the task in time. And by the way, this applies not only to the parade. He restored ancient tradition- pay tribute to the icon of the Savior at the exit from the Kremlin arch. In ancient times, both foot and cavalry troops did this.

- This year, for the first time, guys from the Yunarmiya movement will walk along Red Square, are there any nuances in their preparation?

- Of course, the approach to training a member of the Yunarmiya is not at all the same as that of a military man. Still, they still have a long way to go. But it is felt that the guys are trying, and most importantly - they are eager to keep up with their older comrades. In addition, we have many well-trained combatants who are able to pass on their rich experience. So we are more concerned about making them feel comfortable here. After all, it is very difficult for them. These are children, and here they train three times a week, get up early, and move. Weather is also a test. Therefore, we pay special attention to both the Youth Army and the Suvorovites. It is our concern to dress warmly, feed and drink hot tea on time.

These guys, together with the pupils of the Suvorov military schools and cadet corps, will form the basis of the defenders of the Fatherland in the near future. That is why the leadership of the Ministry of Defense pays great importance military-patriotic education.

And this ultimately gives its positive result.

- If we are talking about the younger generation, do Suvorov students willingly go to military schools, do they have certain preferences for admission, as they used to?

— Last years The Ministry of Defense pays a lot of attention to pre-university education. New schools and buildings are being overhauled and built from scratch. As Commander-in-Chief, two Suvorov schools are subordinate to me - Moscow, Kazan and Aksai Cadet Corps. In February, on the basis of the Kazan School, we held " round table» on the problems of pre-university education and upbringing. And already today, sites for the construction of a modern hostel and an ice palace have been deployed at the school, and this despite the fact that there is already a good educational building, a swimming pool and a club. Our other schools will also be improved.

We want that at the end educational institutions the guys entered the universities of the Ministry of Defense, and above all, the universities of the Ground Forces. Of course, for this you need to interest them. We began to invite veterans, military athletes who have achieved high results in sports more often. If we take the Moscow Suvorov School, then the cadets of the Moscow VOKU took patronage over the guys. A company of cadets is assigned to each company of Suvorovites. My firm conviction is that after the Suvorov School a young man should enter a military university. To date, Suvorov students have no advantages when entering the universities of the Ministry of Defense. We reported this problem to the Minister of Defense, and he treats it with understanding. After all, it’s unfair when a guy graduated from Suvorov, he was preparing to become a military man for seven years, and he enters a military school on a par with the guys who graduated from schools. We hope that in the near future the issues related to this problem will be resolved.

This is also the aim of the work of the heads of the Suvorov schools and cadet corps, according to the results of which they are given an appropriate assessment.

I think that it is thanks to these and other measures that the percentage of applicants to military universities has increased markedly.

- For the third year already, the latest models of equipment have been demonstrated at the parade - "Armata", "Kurganets", "Boomerang", "Coalition", is there already an understanding when they will get into the troops?

- At the parade, we show the equipment that we have. Until 2015, many even doubted whether the samples that you listed even exist. We have proven that they are - and this technique is by far the best in the world.

During its creation, it was possible not only to significantly increase firepower, but also to bring the security and convenience of crew accommodation on a fundamentally new level, including through a complete change in the layout of vehicles and the installation of uninhabited combat compartments.

Today we are already approaching the completion of the testing cycle of all fundamentally new technical solutions. If readers of one of the most respected newspapers are interested in this question, I will answer: everything goes on as usual.

Indeed, due to significant innovative developments a certain period must pass, including checks and tests, before the Armata tanks, the new generation Kurganets infantry fighting vehicles and the Boomerang armored personnel carriers begin to enter the troops.

- Has a decision been made on a new assault rifle for military equipment "Warrior"? Or is it decided to stop at the modernization of the AK-74?

- To the set of combat equipment "Warrior" two machine guns were developed by the plant. Degtyarev and the Kalashnikov concern, which have improved ergonomics, improved sights, a magazine with a visual control of the amount of remaining ammunition and a number of other new developments.

At present, experimental military operation is underway, their comparative checks are being carried out, including with the modernized AK-74, the results of which will be adopted final decision.

- Let's talk about the International Army Games, which will start at the end of the summer ...

- Last year, for the first time, two competitions were held on the territory of Kazakhstan.

This year, snipers and gunners will again compete at the Gvardeisky training ground. hallmark This year there will be two competitions in the territory of the People's Republic of China, in the city of Korla. The motorized riflemen of the Suvorov Onslaught competition and specialists will defend the right to be called the best there. air defense competition "Clear Sky". By the way, snipers from Thailand will take part in the competition for the first time in Kazakhstan.

As you can see, the geography of competitions is expanding. I am sure that the fight for the first places there will be very tense and interesting.

"Tank biathlon" - by the way, the brainchild of our minister - will traditionally be held in Alabin. And we are preparing for this very seriously. In addition to training the crews, we are now thinking about how to increase the entertainment of the competition - remove some of the obstacles and target environment, and, on the contrary, add something. One of the directions is to ensure visibility for spectators of all elements of the passage of the track by tanks. Undoubtedly, the tank competition will attract many thousands of guests, and we do our best to make them feel comfortable on our sites, and after watching the competition they have only pleasant impressions of what they saw.

- Oleg Leonidovich, Victory Day is approaching ...

- Victory Day, perhaps, main holiday in our country.

On behalf of the Military Council and myself, I congratulate, first of all, respected veterans of the Great Patriotic War and the Armed Forces, home front workers, scientists and workers defense industry, all servicemen with this great holiday. I wish everyone good health and all the best!

Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich - a name little known to anyone until recently, and probably would have remained so if it were not for his high-profile appointment to the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation on May 2, 2014. Since that time, Salyukov has been commanding a military parade on Victory Day on Red Square for the third year in a row, orders and extraordinary titles, since 2006, have been showering on him like from a cornucopia. So who is this mystery man? And why does he get so much attention?

First steps

But it's true, Oleg Leonidovich Salyukov is a man of mystery. Any attempts to unearth any interesting details from his biography are doomed to failure in advance, the information provided by all online publications is very superficial and devoid of any specifics.

The future commander-in-chief was born in Saratov on May 21, 1955 in a simple, unremarkable Soviet family. Even in the early childhood of little Oleg, for an unknown reason, his parents moved from Saratov to permanent residence to Penza, where he took his first steps. Here, in 1962, he went to school number 6 with in-depth study in English studied diligently and graduated with honors.

Further education

Even as a child, deciding to connect his life with military service, in 1973 Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich entered the Ulyanovsk Guards Tank School. V. I. Lenin, who trained the highest command staff for the ranks of the Soviet army.

The teachers immediately drew attention to a capable and purposeful young man who studied with great willingness and desire. Salyukov was distinguished from fellow students by a sincere desire to serve and, if necessary, defend the Motherland, and he devoted himself to his studies and devoted all his free time to her.

efforts young man did not go unnoticed, in 1977 he graduated from college with a medal. The future General Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich did not rest on this, and, without stopping there, in 1982 he entered the Academy armored forces them. R. Ya. Malinovsky. Here Salyukov showed himself the best way and brilliantly graduated in 1985 with honors.

Remaining true to himself, he added to the previous educational process two years spent in 1994-1996 at the Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Years of service

Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich began military service in 1977 immediately after graduating from college, and his first place of service was a position in the Kiev military district. Here, in fact, it began dizzying career, in 5 years, a young 32-year-old junior officer went through a difficult path from a platoon commander to a battalion commander, and already as a major he entered the academy of armored forces.

In 1985, Salyukov was appointed to a new position as deputy commander of a training tank regiment in the Moscow Military District, where he served for 9 years, from where he joined the General Staff Academy.

After graduating from the academy, General Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich (photos of that time show an ambitious and self-confident person) went to a new duty station in the Far East as a division commander. It was here in 1997 that his truly stellar time began for 12 years of service. Having started his career as chief of staff, on the eve of the new year 2009 he was appointed commander of the troops in the entire Far Eastern Military District.

Current appointment

It is unlikely that Oleg Leonidovich Salyukov himself hoped to become Commander-in-Chief of the RF Ground Forces so soon, although, as people who know him well say, he has no ambitions, and it has always been like this. Yes, and it is difficult to determine his reaction to this event, outwardly he is always calm and unperturbed, and his subordinates never noticed manifestations of any emotions behind him, no matter how they were expressed. Well, isn't the commander-in-chief ideal? It is also difficult to say whether he knew about the impending appointment, perhaps he was being prepared for this, and perhaps it was a bolt from the blue for him.

Output

Logically, the second option seems the most likely. After all, many people knew that the fate of Vladimir Churkin was sealed after he received a bribe and fraud with an apartment, and his resignation, for obvious reasons, was only a matter of time. And Sergei Shaigu, before naming his successor, made a pause ... and he named not Salyukov, but Sergei Istrakov, albeit with the prefix (acting). In general, with this whole story with the appointment, there are a lot of oddities and inconsistencies, as well as with another dark history concerning the downed MH17 in the sky over Donbass. And Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, is himself laconic on this occasion.

But the degree of trust in him after two and a half years remains quite high. In addition, he was entrusted with the command not only of the ground forces, but also of the most sacred - the Victory Parade. And it does mean something.

Based on all of the above, we can conclude that Salyukov Oleg Leonidovich is a significant person in history Russian Federation, And given name should be immortalized in modern history.