In accordance with the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the head of the internal troops before the command of the Separate Motorized Rifle Division for Operational Purpose named after. Dzerzhinsky was tasked with forming a special unit to ensure security during the Moscow Olympics - 80. Subsequently, it was supposed to solve the problems of combating terrorism and other particularly daring criminal manifestations.

December 29, 1977– date of the beginning of the formation of the first special forces unit in the system of internal troops of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its creation took place on the basis of the 9th company of the 3rd battalion of the 2nd regiment OMSDON. The corresponding order of the USSR Minister of Internal Affairs stated that “the selection and recruitment of a special-purpose training company with officers, warrant officers, sergeants and conscripts should be carried out from among disciplined military personnel with the necessary physical, moral and psychological qualities of internal troops.”
In January 1978, the URSN began recruiting officers, coordinating platoons, and developing a training program.

Already in February, special forces conducted the first demonstration exercise for the leadership of law enforcement troops. After which, on March 9, 1978, the order of the head of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR “On the formation of a special purpose training company OMSDON” was issued.

In December 1989, a special-purpose battalion was created on the basis of URSN.

The constant involvement of special forces in carrying out the most complex service and combat missions made it necessary to remove the special forces training battalion from the staff of the 2nd regiment of the division named after. Dzerzhinsky and the creation of a separate military unit. By order of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs on May 5, 1991, the 6th special forces detachment “Vityaz” was formed on the basis of a special-purpose training battalion.

In accordance with the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, in January 1999, the 6th special forces detachment was reorganized into the 118th, and then into the 1st Red Banner special forces regiment “Vityaz” of the ODON Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

By order of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in December 2001, the 1st Red Banner Special Purpose Regiment "Vityaz" was transformed into the 1st Red Banner Special Purpose Detachment "Vityaz".
In June 2008, according to the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the 604th special purpose center “Vityaz” was created on the basis of the 1st Red Banner special purpose detachment “Vityaz” and the special purpose detachment “Rus”.

Enlisted forever in the lists of the military unit: junior sergeant Yatsina I., private Sitnikov N.Yu., sergeant S.A. Burnaev, senior lieutenant Shelokhvostov I.Yu., captain Serkov D.A., sergeant Sitnikov A.S.

Eight servicemen were awarded the title of Hero of Russia: Colonel Lysyuk S.I., Private Sitnikov N.Yu., Colonel Nikishin A.N., Colonel Kublin O.V., Sergeant S.A. Burnaev, Senior Lieutenant Shelokhvostov I. .Yu., captain Serkov D.A., contract sergeant Sitnikov A.S.

The leadership of many countries have long been aware of the problem of terrorism, so they have come to the conclusion that certain security forces should deal with the treatment of this “disease”. Back in the 70s, the leadership of the USSR perceived terrorism as one of the most important problems that threatens the normal functioning of the state. For this reason, a special special purpose company was created named after. F. Dzerzhinsky (by the way, the decision on this was made before the start of the 22 Olympic Games, which were held in Moscow). It was thanks to this unit that the legendary Vityaz special forces were subsequently created, to which our material is dedicated.
was formed on December 29, 1977. Its creation took place on the basis of the 9th company, 3rd battalion, 2nd regiment of OMSDON. There was very little time allotted for the formation of the detachment. At the beginning of 1978, officers began to be recruited and training programs were developed. Along with this, the already partially formed unit began exercises. The following month, a demonstration speech was held for the leadership, and then, over the course of three months, accelerated preparations were made for the speech before the Minister of Internal Affairs. By the way: 25 maroon berets were sewn for military personnel at that time.

On June 1, 1978, as soon as the demonstration performance was successfully completed, a law came into force that spoke of the need for special-purpose units in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Then intensive training began, in the first months of which it became clear that in order to perform the highest quality work, it was necessary to introduce basic positions of specialized instructors. preparation. Actually, I didn’t have to wait long - they appeared in 1979.

Participation in hot spots and operations

For the first time, the special forces of the Vityaz VV showed themselves during the elimination of unrest in Ordzhonikidze. In the same year, but already in December, the “knights” freed hostages who were captured in Sarapul. In the fall of 1982, fighters were involved in eliminating unrest that was initiated by conscripts from the Caucasus.
The first time of the existence of the Vityaz special forces showed the need for the selection and training of new soldiers from among the conscripts. For this reason, a special training staff was introduced in 1984. In November of the same year, the “knights” took part in the investigation of the “Uzbek case”, and in July 1985 the company was on duty during the “World Festival of Students and Youth”, which was held in Moscow. In September 1986, the “knights” carried out a complex operation related to the need to liberate the airport in Ufa.
The year 1988 turned out to be a very tense year for the Vityaz special forces. Thus, in February-March, special forces participated in eliminating the unrest that occurred on the territory of the Azerbaijan SSR in relation to the local population of the city of Sumgait. VV Vityaz special forces carried out the confiscation of stolen valuables from militants, guarded key points of the local Ministry of Internal Affairs, and carried out a search and seizure of weapons. In the same year, special forces had to take part in unblocking the airport in Yerevan. But the difficult year did not end there: in September, special forces suppressed mass unrest in the Azerbaijani capital, and in November-December they were sent to Armenia, where the “knights” organized and supported the state of emergency.

The year 88 was also notable for the fact that Sergei Lysyuk then had the idea of ​​​​taking an exam to test the possibility of wearing a maroon beret. It may seem surprising, but then this initiative was not supported by most of the command; over time, all the actions of the Vityaz special forces in operations and their moral hardening proved the need for such tests, and in 1993 it was decided that they needed to pass the exam. Anatoly Kulikov, head of the internal troops of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, approved the provision on the need to carry out special tests.
In addition to the content of the exam, a ritual was subsequently created for presenting a maroon beret, which at the same time symbolized perseverance, skill in battle, courage, as well as high professional qualifications of the fighters.
Despite all the changes, the history of the Vityaz special forces continued. So, in May 1989, the “knights” worked in an operation to free hostages who were captured by prisoners in a colony in the city of Kizel. In June of the same year, Vityaz special forces took part in eliminating violent riots based on interethnic intolerance in the Fergana region. After the resolution of interethnic conflicts, it was decided that it was necessary to increase the number, improve the structure and intensify the training of units. As a result, in 1989 a special forces training detachment was created.
In 1990, the Vityaz special forces mainly carried out missions in the Transcaucasus. In January, the detachment provided support to border guards in protecting the border in the Nakhichevan region (at that time extremists from the Popular Front of Azerbaijan were detained). In April of the same year, special forces seized hail-breaking installations from Armenian militants, and also successfully carried out an operation to free hostages in Ijevan (an entire base was destroyed). In July, the “knights” disarmed about 50 militants using helicopter patrols (by the way, this is one of the most successful operations in the history of the detachment).
This is not all the merits of the Vityaz special forces. Today, the special forces also include a group of divers who already have experience in performing complex tasks on Lake Baikal, the Caspian and Sea of ​​Japan, as well as on some reservoirs in the Moscow region. The special forces of VV Vityaz also have groups of hang gliders, electronic reconnaissance, etc.
In recent years, Vityaz special forces have been actively mastering mountaineering and parachute jumping; Special forces soldiers from VV Vityaz took part in the “Glacier Patrol” mountaineering competition in the Alps and managed to take prizes.

Popular pages.

Special requirements are imposed on military personnel serving in the special forces detachment "Vityaz", according to which the special forces soldier must be physically developed and ready to perform responsible service and combat missions, have excellent health and high moral and psychological qualities.

Therefore, to select military personnel for service in the special forces detachment “Vityaz”, an appropriate methodology has been developed to assess the physical capabilities of the candidate, where during the test the endurance, strength, speed qualities, flexibility and dexterity of the subject are assessed.
Test results are assessed by the sum of points.

TEST No. 1. Endurance is assessed

Continuous running for 12 minutes is assessed by the distance that the subject covered in the specified time.

TEST No. 2. Strength endurance is assessed

A comprehensive strength test consists of sequential exercises.

Exercise No. 1

Starting position: crouching. Take a lying position and return to the starting position, repeat 10 times.

Exercise No. 2
Performed immediately after exercise 1.

From the starting position, lie down on your stomach and roll over onto your back (1), raise your legs without bending your knees (2), touch your toes to the floor behind your head (3) (if there is no contact, the exercise is considered not completed), return your legs to the starting position.
Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Exercise No. 3
Performed immediately after exercise 2.

Roll over from your back to your stomach, take the starting position, lying down, bend your elbows until your chest touches the floor (ground), straighten your arms.

Exercise No. 4
Performed immediately after exercise 3.

Take a squatting position, sit down on one knee, raise your arms up, place your palms on the back of your head. Jump up, straighten your legs, and squat on the other knee.
Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Exercises 1-4 are a full cycle of a complex test. The assessee must attempt to complete the maximum number of cycles.

TEST No. 3. Strength is assessed

Pull-up on the bar from a hanging position. In the lower position, the legs do not touch the ground (floor); in the upper position, the chin should be higher than the bar. Not allowed: rocking and jerking exercises.

TEST No. 4. Speed ​​qualities are assessed

You need to run ten segments of ten meters each in a minimum period of time.

TEST No. 5. Flexibility is assessed

To assess flexibility, you must complete 4 exercises.

TEST No. 6. Agility is assessed

The test consists of five exercises, sequentially following each other without stopping. Each exercise must be performed technically and correctly (for exercises not performed technically, 10 penalty seconds may be added). The test must be performed in the specified sequence in the shortest possible time.

Exercise No. 1

A partner is required to perform the exercise. The partner places his feet shoulder-width apart and tilts his torso parallel to the ground (floor). The subject performs a vault over a partner, crawls between the partner’s legs, and performs a vault again. Repeat the exercise 7 times (i.e. seven vaults and seven climbs).

Exercise No. 2

Perform seven forward somersaults and seven backward somersaults.

Exercise No. 3

You need to walk a distance of seven meters on your hands. If the test taker loses his balance and touches the floor with his foot, repeat the exercise from the beginning.

Exercise No. 4

Crawl on your bellies for 10 meters.

Exercise No. 5

Starting position lying on your back. Perform a kip-up 3 times in a row. Each unsuccessful attempt is repeated.
Converting seconds to points is done by subtracting the total number of points from 100 (100 - 1 = number of points).

TEST No. 7. Courage is assessed

The ability to show self-control and restraint in a training match.

Training matches according to boxing rules
One against one: according to the battle formula, 1 round - 3 minutes
One (test) versus two: 1 round - 2 minutes
just 5 minutes without a break

Expert assessment of test results
The tested battle is fought passively - 0 points
The test taker is active - 20 points
Testee in battle 1 x 2 takes initiative - 50 points

During testing, athletes with sports categories in boxing, karate and hand-to-hand combat are tested separately from the rest.

Using the proposed table, it is necessary to determine the total number of points by addition.

The lower limit is 295 points. It is not advisable to hire a candidate who scores fewer points to serve in special forces units. Testing is carried out on one day, the sequence of tests must correspond to their numbering. The time between each test should not exceed 10 minutes, and the person’s ability to tolerate various loads in a limited time is assessed.

TABLE OF TEST RESULTS

Meters traveled	Glasses	The number of cycles	Glasses	Number of pull-ups	Glasses	Seconds	Glasses	Centimeters	Glasses	Seconds	Glasses
2800	20	1	0	up to 8	0	30	25	Ex. No. 1	80
2900	30	2	0	9	27	29	30	over 20	0	78	5
3000	35	3	20	10	30	28	33	15	5	76		3100	39	4	30	11	33	27	36	10	10	74		3200	42	5	40	12	36	26	39	5	15	72	10	3300	45	6	50	13	39	25	42	Exercise No. 2	70			3400	50			14	42	24	45	over 30	0	68						15	50	23	50	20	5	66	15					16	50			15	10	64										10	15	60	20											60										Ex. No. 3	58	25										over 10	O	56	30									5	5	54	35									0	10	52	40											50	45										0	48	50									Ex. No. 4												over 10	0											0	10

MANDATES COMMISSION

The credentials commission is held at the final stage of selecting candidates for the special purpose unit "Vityaz", where members of the commission alternately talk with the candidates, study test results and service characteristics, and listen to a medical worker about the state of health of the person being certified.
With high test results, positive characteristics and medical indications, the candidate is enrolled in a special forces unit. If the person being certified has low test scores, then he can be enlisted in the reserves for service in special forces units.

On December 29, 1977, on the basis of the motorized rifle regiment of the Separate Special Purpose Motorized Rifle Division (OMSDON) named after Dzerzhinsky, a special purpose training company (URSN) was formed.

The military personnel in this unit were selected from among the best athletes in the division on a voluntary basis. Candidates must have excellent physical fitness and psychological stability. In 1989, a battalion was created on the basis of the company, which in 1991 became the Vityaz special forces detachment.

The detachment was originally created as an anti-terrorist unit. “Vityaz” regularly conducts counter-terrorism operations and patrols in Chechnya and on the Caucasus border. In addition, fighters are trained to prevent riots in prisons. More than 70 members of the detachment were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation for courage and heroism.

Story

In the 70s, due to the increasing incidence of terrorism in European countries, the need arose to have military units designed to perform particularly important tasks in the fight against terrorism. The USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs decided to create a special unit of permanent combat readiness within the operational division of internal troops, whose military personnel would have special training to counter terrorism and other illegal actions.

At the beginning of 1978, work began on the formation and training of a special purpose training company (URSN). The recruitment of conscripts for this unit was carried out from among the best ODON athletes exclusively on a voluntary basis.

The first operation assigned to the company was providing security at the Olympic Games in Moscow.

In 1991, the special forces detachment “Vityaz” was created. During its formation, the experience accumulated in URSN and similar units in Russia was used.

The idea of ​​taking an exam for the right to wear a crane beret was also born in Vityaz. The first commander of the detachment, Sergei Ivanovich Lysyuk, together with other officers, developed the criteria for passing exams in special, physical and tactical training, which are still carried out in all special forces units of the internal troops.

Sergei Ivanovich Lysyuk

requirements for candidates for enrollment in the special forces detachment “Vityaz”

Special requirements are imposed on military personnel serving in the special forces detachment "Vityaz", according to which the special forces soldier must be physically developed and ready to perform responsible service and combat missions, have excellent health and high moral and psychological qualities.

Therefore, to select military personnel for service in the special forces detachment “Vityaz”, an appropriate methodology has been developed to assess the physical capabilities of the candidate, where during the test the endurance, strength, speed qualities, flexibility and dexterity of the subject are assessed.
Test results are assessed by the sum of points.

TEST No. 1. Endurance is assessed

Cooper test. Continuous running for 12 minutes is assessed by the distance that the subject covered in the specified time.

TEST No. 2. Strength endurance is assessed

A comprehensive strength test consists of sequential exercises.

Exercise No. 1

Starting position: crouching. Take a lying position and return to the starting position, repeat 10 times.

Exercise No. 2
Performed immediately after exercise 1.

From the starting position, lie down on your stomach and roll over onto your back (1), raise your legs without bending your knees (2), touch your toes to the floor behind your head (3) (if there is no contact, the exercise is considered not completed), return your legs to the starting position.

Exercise No. 3
Performed immediately after exercise 2.

Roll over from your back to your stomach, take the starting position, lying down, bend your elbows until your chest touches the floor (ground), straighten your arms.
Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Exercise No. 4
Performed immediately after exercise 3.

Take a squatting position, sit down on one knee, raise your arms up, place your palms on the back of your head. Jump up, straighten your legs, and squat on the other knee.
Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Exercises 1-4 are a full cycle of a complex test. The assessee must attempt to complete the maximum number of cycles.

TEST No. 3. Strength is assessed

Pull-up on the bar from a hanging position. In the lower position, the legs do not touch the ground (floor); in the upper position, the chin should be higher than the bar. Not allowed: rocking and jerking exercises.

TEST No. 4. Speed ​​qualities are assessed

You need to run ten segments of ten meters each in a minimum period of time.

TEST No. 5. Flexibility is assessed

To assess flexibility, you must complete 4 exercises.

TEST No. 6. Agility is assessed

The test consists of five exercises, sequentially following each other without stopping. Each exercise must be performed technically and correctly (for exercises not performed technically, 10 penalty seconds may be added). The test must be performed in the specified sequence in the shortest possible time.

Exercise No. 1

A partner is required to perform the exercise. The partner places his feet shoulder-width apart and tilts his torso parallel to the ground (floor). The subject performs a vault over a partner, crawls between the partner’s legs, and performs a vault again. Repeat the exercise 7 times (i.e. seven vaults and seven climbs).

Exercise No. 2

Perform seven forward somersaults and seven backward somersaults.

Exercise No. 3

You need to walk a distance of seven meters on your hands. If the test taker loses his balance and touches the floor with his foot, repeat the exercise from the beginning.

Exercise No. 4

Crawl on your bellies for 10 meters.

Exercise No. 5

Starting position lying on your back. Perform a kip-up 3 times in a row. Each unsuccessful attempt is repeated.
Converting seconds to points is done by subtracting the total number of points from 100 (100 - 1 = number of points).

TEST No. 7. Courage is assessed

The ability to show self-control and restraint in a training match.

Training matches according to boxing rules
One against one: according to the battle formula, 1 round - 3 minutes
One (test) versus two: 1 round - 2 minutes
just 5 minutes without a break

Expert assessment of test results
The tested battle is fought passively - 0 points
The test taker is active - 20 points
Testee in battle 1 x 2 takes initiative - 50 points

During testing, athletes with sports categories in boxing, karate and hand-to-hand combat are tested separately from the rest.

Using the proposed table, it is necessary to determine the total number of points by addition.

The lower limit is 295 points. It is not advisable to hire a candidate who scores fewer points to serve in special forces units. Testing is carried out on one day, the sequence of tests must correspond to their numbering. The time between each test should not exceed 10 minutes, and the person’s ability to tolerate various loads in a limited time is assessed.

TABLE OF TEST RESULTS

Meters traveled		The number of cycles		Number of pull-ups				Centimeters

Known operations

“Vityaz” took part in resolving all interethnic conflicts that arose in the territory of the former USSR.

Together with group “A” of the KGB of the USSR in 1989, they carried out a unique special operation to storm the Sukhumi temporary detention center, where mass riots broke out. In 1994-1996. participated in the disarmament of illegal armed groups on the territory of the Chechen Republic. In 1996, the detachment took part in the battles near the village of Pervomaisky.

Battle for Pervomaiskoe

January 10 The militants, under the cover of a human shield, moved on nine buses towards Chechnya, but were stopped by federal forces near the village of Pervomaiskoye. There, militants seized a checkpoint Novosibirsk Riot police, capturing 36 policemen (the deputy commander of the police detachment was killed while trying to resist), and entered the village.

For the next four days of confrontation, both sides actively prepared for hostilities. The militants fortified the village with hostages. Federal troops brought up artillery, additional units, carried out reconnaissance. Thus, a multi-service group of troops with a total number of 2,500 people, 32 guns and mortars, 16 flamethrowers, 10 grenade launchers, 3 Grad MLRS installations, 54 infantry fighting vehicles, 22 armored personnel carriers, 4 BRDMs, several tanks and combat helicopters were concentrated near Pervomaisky. S. Raduev had about 300 militants, over 100 hostages, 82-mm mortars taken from Kizlyar on trucks with the bodies of the dead, as well as a large number of machine guns, grenade launchers, flamethrowers and other weapons and ammunition.

Salman Raduev

The militants replenished their arsenal by disarming the checkpoint of the Novosibirsk riot police.

January 15 terrorists shot two people who came to negotiate with them Dagestan elders and 6 policemen-hostages, after which it was decided to storm the village of Pervomaisky using helicopters, tanks and armored personnel carriers, regardless of possible losses among the hostages. The overall command of the federal forces was exercised by Viktor Zorin, first deputy director of the FSB Mikhail Barsukov. On the morning of January 15, after ineffective artillery preparation and air support, nine assault groups: a special forces detachment " Knight", special rapid response units ( SOBR) and units of the 22nd separate special forces brigade GRU General Staff - let's go for the assault. In the second echelon, in full readiness to storm buildings in which there could be hostages, was a group from the anti-terrorist center " Alpha" By 13:00, the “knights”, having crossed the canal, captured the first line of defense of the militants on the outskirts of the village and broke into the south-eastern quarter. The rest, encountering fierce fire resistance in the area of ​​the bridge and cemetery, were forced to stop. Two hours later, having suffered minor losses, the Vityaz also stopped. At dusk, all units were ordered to retreat to their original positions.

January 16 in a Turkish port Trabzon , terrorists led by M. Tokdzhan, who, according to him, fought in Basayev’s battalion, The ferry "Aurasia" was captured with predominantly Russian passengers on board. The terrorists' demands were the lifting of the blockade of the village of Pervomaiskoye and the withdrawal of federal troops from the North Caucasus.

January 17 In the morning, a small, possibly reconnaissance, group of militants broke into the village of Sovetskoye, located near Pervomaisky, from the direction of Chechnya and destroyed a UAZ car with Dagestan riot police.

On the night of January 19 the main forces of the militants (including Raduev and Turpal-Ali Atgeriyev) managed to escape from environment and return to Chechnya. The total number of militants who moved forward was 256 people who left in 7 trucks KamAZ. During the night breakthrough of the Raduevites from Pervomaisky, having accepted the battle, almost all the fighters of the 22nd separate special forces brigade who were on the way of the militants’ retreat were killed, including the head of intelligence of the 58th Army of the North Caucasus Military District, Colonel A. Stytsin.
In 1999-2003 The detachment participated in many counter-terrorism operations in the North Caucasus. “Vityaz” also took an active part in special operations to eliminate the leaders of gangs in Chechnya.

In November 2002, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the opening ceremony of a monument to soldiers of the internal troops, presented the Gold Star of the Hero of Russia to the parents of a soldier of the Vityaz detachment, Sergei Burnaev, who died while performing military duty in Chechnya and was awarded the award posthumously.

In October 2002, the Vityaz detachment, together with other special forces of the FSB and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, took part in a special operation to eliminate terrorists who took hostages in the Theater Center on Dubrovka.

On the evening of October 23, 2002, at just after nine, more than 40 terrorists seized the theater center on Dubrovka. At this time, the second act of the musical “Nord-Ost” began there. 916 spectators and artists were taken hostage. The terrorist group was headed by 23-year-old Movsar Baraev, a man who went to fight immediately after graduating from high school and never learned anything else.

Movsar Baraev (in the center)

Two days of absolute hell: several hostages miraculously managed to escape, negotiators incapable of negotiations, hysterics and fainting, shot hostages. Then the assault in the early morning of October 26, gas was released through pipes, 130 died - mainly due to unqualified medical care. Or simply because of no help provided.

On the night of October 25-26, a decision was made to attack. It is known that the operational headquarters included the deputy head of the FSB, General Viktor Pronichev, and the head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Alexander Voloshin. From the operational headquarters, a command was received to storm the units of the FSB TsSN, which were commanded by another deputy head of the FSB, General Alexander Tikhonov.

The force operation began with the supply of gas through the ventilation system. It is still unknown the exact time when the gas began flowing into the hall with the hostages. The formula of the gas itself is still classified. It is known that the gas contained heavy opiates based on fentanyl (used in medicine for anesthesia). It is also known that when used quickly and in small doses, this substance is fatal and is especially dangerous when exposed to people in a sitting position.

The exact time of the start of the military operation to destroy the terrorists is unknown. Some of the FSB TsSN employees entered the hall through a gay club that operated on the territory of the theater center. Video cameras only recorded the appearance of special forces in the foyer of the theater center at 6.22 am. It is known that during the assault the special forces were also poisoned, but none of them died under the influence of the gas.

It is also known that the terrorists recorded the flow of gas for at least twenty minutes, identified it as an assault attempt, but did not detonate explosive devices and suicide vests, and there was no attempt to mass shoot the hostages. The hostages saw that some terrorists (suicide bombers) had lost consciousness from the effects of the gas.

As a result of the special operation, all terrorists, even those who were unconscious, were shot (including control shots to the head).

The operational headquarters thought out the special operation to destroy the terrorists down to the smallest detail. The operational headquarters did not have a plan to rescue the hostages. 129 people died.

special forces rescue hostages

The authorities called the assault on the Dubrovka Theater Center a “brilliant special operation.” The investigation into the Nord-Ost criminal case established that the death of the hostages occurred as a result of a confluence of many factors, primarily from severe chronic diseases of the hostages themselves, aggravated as a result of dehydration, lack of food and stress. The rescue operation was considered effective, despite the fact that the case materials recorded the failure to provide any medical assistance to 73 of the 129 dead hostages.

Uniforms and insignia

The detachment's fighters wear the usual combined arms camouflage. When conducting counter-terrorism operations, squad members can wear black uniforms with “SPECIAL FORCES” stripes; a chevron with blood type is worn on the left side of the chest. The unit's chevron is worn on the right sleeve, and a special chevron with the Russian flag is worn on the left sleeve.

special forces chevrons

Weapons and military equipment

The weapons, equipment and equipment of special forces are strikingly different from the analogues of motorized rifle units.

Along with standard weapons, the Vityaz has a large arsenal for special operations. Technical means of reconnaissance: high-tech complexes of television and thermal imaging, radar, radio-electronic and seismic-acoustic reconnaissance; “Anti-sniper” shooter position detection systems, which allow you to determine with high accuracy the location of the shooter in a short time after a shot and take measures to defeat him; detection complex "Sova" based on an automatic grenade launcher, which, when shelling a column, detects the direction, range of the shot and even the caliber and automatically hits the target; flash-noise and psychologically affecting ammunition. Vityaz snipers are armed with rifles "Vintorez" , MC-116, large-caliber Kord rifles. The fighters use "Klin" submachine guns , special machine guns "Val", various grenade launchers.

Tiger vehicles are used during special operations.

On September 1, 2008, on the basis of the “Vityaz” and “Rusich” detachments, the 604th Order of the Red Banner Special Purpose Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia was created.

For more information about special forces training, see the website: Spurs on OVS - Organization of the Armed Forces - GRU special forces training.

35 years ago, on December 29, 1977, a special-purpose training company was formed on the basis of the third battalion of the Second Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Separate Motorized Rifle Division for Special Purposes named after Dzerzhinsky. Its creation was necessary because it was important to provide forces and means that could ensure security during the Olympics in Moscow. Therefore, the task was set quite specifically: to learn how to effectively fight armed terrorists. In March 1978, a special order was signed on the formation of the OMSDON training company.

The first commander of the special company was Captain Vladimir Maltsev, who performed his duties until 1981. As for the personnel, military personnel were selected for this unit on a voluntary basis from among the best athletes. In addition to good physical fitness, candidates also had to have psychological stability.

The daily routine of the unit's military personnel was extremely strict: it began with intensive exercise, consisting of a mandatory cross-country course of 3-5 kilometers, hand-to-hand combat, a horizontal bar, parallel bars, and an obstacle course. Classes began immediately after the morning test, blocks and strikes, grabs and throws, protection from knives and other things, and elements of acrobatics were practiced until they became automatic. After lunch everything started all over again...

The division is eventful. And the Vityaz fighters never even dreamed of a quiet life.

At the beginning of June 1980, the company's soldiers successfully completed combat missions related to ensuring security in the Vnukovo area, the airport where the plane crash occurred in which the An-24 crashed. Then, a month later, the company provided security during the Olympics. In 1981, Vityaz fighters took part in a special operation to eliminate unrest in Ordzhonikidze, then, together with group “A” of the KGB, in December, the unit’s fighters took part in a special operation, the purpose of which was the release of hostages - children who were captured by criminals in one of the schools of Sarapul - a city in the Udmurd Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

And then “hot” business trips began, on which you can study the map of the USSR. In 1982, special forces eliminated riots organized by conscripts from the North Caucasus traveling from Moscow to Yaroslavl. In 1984, they had to assist the investigative team of the prosecutor's office, which consisted of accompanying and protecting valuables associated with the so-called “Uzbek case” - bribery, corruption and abuse of power.

In 1986, the unit’s fighters, together with Group A, participated in the operation to free a plane hijacked in Ufa. Two years later - suppression of robberies, pogroms and terrorist attacks in Sumgait, carrying out special operations in Baku and Yerevan. In 1989 - special forces participated in the liquidation of riots in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, Moldova and Azerbaijan, in 1990 - liberated a temporary detention center , which was located in the city of Kizela and was captured by armed criminals.

In the spring of 1991, the battalion was reorganized into the Vityaz special forces detachment. From this moment the most dangerous and difficult work begins. The Knights had to fight a lot. In addition to participating in the Afghan war, they were involved in the disarmament of militants in South Ossetia, carried out operations to detain militants preparing terrorist attacks in Vladivostok, carried out search and reconnaissance activities in Karachay-Cherkessia, the purpose of which was to detain and disarm Chechen gangs that were trying to penetrate to the territory of Abkhazia. In addition, the detachment’s fighters were engaged in arresting especially dangerous criminals in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Throughout 1992, special forces took an active part in resolving the Ossetian-Ingush military conflict.

One of the most difficult special operations in which the “knights” had to participate was the liberation of the Ostankino television center in 1993. Then the fighters arrived at the place at 16.00, and literally immediately the Protestants arrived there in stolen cars. The battle lasted more than an hour. During this time, Protestants attacked the building three times, throwing Molotov cocktails at it. The special forces successfully repulsed all attacks. And only at eight in the evening did help arrive... Then a young soldier, who was only 19 years old, Nikolai Sitnikov, died. He was awarded the posthumous title of Hero of Russia, and his name will forever remain on the lists of Vityaz personnel.

Then there was a war again, this time the Chechen one, in which the special forces had a very difficult time, because the unit was originally created to fight terrorism. In the Caucasus, the “knights” had to perform completely different functions, which caused regular losses of personnel. From the very first days, in December 1994, the unit’s fighters destroyed an enemy checkpoint near the village of Ishcherskaya.

At the beginning of the spring of next year, they took part in special operations to liberate Argun and Gudermes, as well as act against the militants of Raduev’s gang near the Dagestan village of Pervomaiskoye and liberate the village of Novogroznensky from gangs.

In March 1999, the detachment was reorganized into the First Red Banner Special Forces Regiment “Vityaz”. Colonel M.A. Melikov was appointed its commander. And just a few months later, in August, the fighters had to go on a new military operation in Dagestan, which was captured by Chechen militants. Then the bandits were driven out of the occupied territory. During the operation, Major S. Basurmanov, who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia, died. Sergeant S. Burnaev, who also became a Hero of Russia, also died at a combat post.

In October 2002, “Vityaz” took part in a special operation to free hostages who were captured by Chechen militants in the theater center on Dubrovka.

Today, Vityaz is not only a highly mobile military unit. This is also an association where a large role is given to former military personnel. So, for example, the Association for the Social Protection of Maroon Berets is successfully functioning, the head of which is Colonel S. Lysyuk, Hero of Russia. He served in the detachment for 16 years. “The Brotherhood of Maroon Berets “Vityaz” initiated the opening of a monument to the fallen soldiers of the unit. In addition, the Association actively protects the rights of special forces.

The special forces detachment “Vityaz” has its own traditions that have been established over the years. Thus, almost from the very beginning of its existence, the concept of “maroon beret” appeared, which became sacred for fighters. And then it was decided that berets should not just be awarded, but they should be earned. Thus, the presentation of a maroon beret turned into a real ritual, and each special forces soldier had to prove that he was worthy to wear it.

By the way, this test is extremely difficult. First of all, applicants must overcome a multi-kilometer cross-country race with water obstacles. Then - cope with the obstacle course and survive in fights with proven warriors. That's why only a few survive. It is they who have the honor of receiving a maroon beret.

For an ordinary person who is far from the military sphere, the concept of “special forces” is associated with cruelty and unsociability. But the same cannot be said about the fighters of the Vityaz detachment. They are taught not to be cruel, but to survive in critical situations, to help people who are in trouble. And for the Vityaz fighters the concept of friendship is very valuable, because among themselves they call each other nothing more than brothers.

This year the unit turns 35 years old. All that remains is to congratulate those people who are related to this elite unit, which is rightfully considered the real pride of the country. And I really want to hope that the state will remember those people who are always on guard for safety and at any moment are ready to give their lives in the name of saving others.

Rehearsal of the demonstration program at the Interpolitex-2012 exhibition