35 years ago, December 29, 1977, on the basis of the third battalion of the Second Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Separate motorized rifle division special purpose named after Dzerzhinsky, a special forces training company was formed. Its creation was necessary, since 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 against 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 training, candidates had to have psychological stability.

The daily routine of the military personnel of the unit was extremely tough: it began with an enhanced exercise, consisting of a mandatory cross for 3-5 kilometers, hand-to-hand combat, a horizontal bar, bars, and an obstacle course. Classes began immediately after the morning check, blocks and strikes, grabs and throws, defense against a knife and other things, elements of acrobatics were practiced until automatism. After lunch, it all started again ...

The divisions are eventful. And the fighters of the "Vityaz" did not even dream of a quiet life.

In early June 1980, the fighters of the company 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, the Vityaz fighters took part in a special operation to eliminate the riots in Ordzhonikidze, then, together with the KGB group A, in December, the fighters of the unit took part in a special operation, the purpose of which was to free hostages - children who were captured by criminals in one of schools in Sarapul, a city in the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

And then "hot" business trips began, on which you can study the map of the USSR. In 1982, the special forces liquidated the riots that were organized by conscripts from North Caucasus en route from Moscow to Yaroslavl. In 1984, they had to assist the investigative group of the prosecutor's office, which consisted in accompanying and protecting valuables related to the so-called "Uzbek case" - bribery, corruption and abuse of power.

In 1986, the fighters of the unit, together with the "A" group, participated in the operation to free the aircraft captured in Ufa. Two years later - the suppression of robberies, pogroms and terrorist attacks in Sumgait, conducting 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 the temporary detention center , which was in the city of Kizel and was captured by armed criminals.

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

Throughout 1992, the 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 fight lasted over an hour. During this time, the protesters attacked the building three times, throwing Molotov cocktails at it. The commandos successfully repelled all attacks. And only by eight in the evening did help arrive ... Then a young soldier who was only 19 years old, Nikolai Sitnikov, died. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia, and his name will forever remain in the lists of the Vityaz personnel.

Then again there was a war, 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 fighters of the unit destroyed the enemy checkpoint near the village of Ishcherskaya.

In the early spring of the following year, they took part in special operations to liberate Argun and Gudermes, as well as oppose the militants of the Raduev gang near the Dagestan village of Pervomayskoye 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 a few months later, in August, the fighters had to go to a new military operation to Dagestan, which was captured by Chechen fighters. Then the bandits managed to be knocked out of the occupied territory. Major S.Basurmanov, who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia, died during the operation. 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 the hostages who were captured by Chechen fighters in the theater center on Dubrovka.

Today, the Vityaz is not only a highly mobile military unit. This is also an association where a large role is given to former servicemen. So, for example, the Association for the Social Protection of Maroon Berets, headed by Colonel S. Lysyuk, Hero of Russia, is successfully functioning. 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 Vityaz special forces detachment has its own traditions that have developed over the years. So, almost from the very beginning of its existence, the concept of "maroon beret" appeared, which became sacred for the fighters. And then it was decided that the berets should not just be handed over, but they should be earned. Thus, the presentation of the maroon beret turned into a real ritual, and each commando had to prove that he was worthy of wearing it.

By the way, the test is extremely difficult. First of all, applicants must overcome many kilometers of cross-country cross-country with water obstacles. Then - to cope with the obstacle course and survive in fights with proven warriors. Therefore, units can withstand. It is they who are honored to receive a maroon beret.

For an ordinary person who is far from the military sphere, the concept of "special forces" is associated with cruelty and unsociableness. But this 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 fighters of the "Vityaz" the concept of friendship is very valuable, because among themselves they call each other nothing more than brothers.

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

Rehearsal of the demonstration program at the exhibition "Interpolitech-2012"

History of the Special Purpose Detachment "VITYAZ" of the Interior Ministry of Russia


December 29, 1977 on the basis of the 9th company of the 3rd battalion of the 2nd Operational Regiment of the OMSDON VV of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the formation of a Special Purpose Training Company (URSN) began with the task of ensuring security and maintaining public order at the XXII Olympic Games in Moscow.

On March 9, 1978, the Order of the Head of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR No. 032 "On the formation of a special-purpose training company OMSDON" was signed.



In May 1978, in preparation for a demonstration lesson for the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the first 25 maroon berets were sewn by special order.



On June 1, 1978, a demonstration session was held for the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR, after which the need for the existence of a special forces unit in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was officially recognized.



In 1979, full-time positions of instructors for special training were introduced at URSN.



On June 6, 1980, the company successfully completed the task of ensuring security in the area of ​​​​Vnukovo airport, where the AN-24 crashed.



In July 1980, the company was on combat duty during the Olympic Games in Moscow.



In October 1981 URSN participated in a special operation to eliminate riots in the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz).



December 18, 1981 A special-purpose training company, together with Group A of the KGB of the USSR, took part in a special operation to free children taken hostage by criminals in one of the schools in the city of Sarapul, Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.



In July 1982, the personnel of the company took part in the liquidation of the consequences of a plane crash near the Vnukovo airport.



In October 1982 special forces liquidated the riots perpetrated by conscripts from the North Caucasus, following the train through Moscow to Yaroslavl.



In July 1984, a training platoon was introduced to the staff of the Special Purpose Training Company to train young soldiers.



In November 1984, the personnel of the company completed a particularly important task of assisting employees of the USSR Prosecutor General's Office during the investigation of the so-called. "Uzbek case".



In July 1985, the company was on alert during the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow.



In August 1985 Methods for holding qualification competitions for the title of "Excellent hand-to-hand combat" were developed.



September 21, 1986 special forces soldiers, together with group "A" of the KGB of the USSR, took part in a special operation to free the plane hijacked by terrorists at the airport in Ufa.



In December 1986 The Special Purpose Training Company was transformed into the Special Purpose Training Battalion (UBSN).



In January 1988, the tradition of conducting qualification tests for the right to wear a maroon beret was born.



February - March 1988 UBSN servicemen took part in the prevention and elimination of riots, the protection of the local population and the protection of especially important facilities in places with a difficult operational situation in the city of Sumgayit of the Azerbaijan ASSR.



In July 1988, the personnel participated in a special operation to unblock the Zvartnots airport (Yerevan), in September of the same year - in the elimination of riots in the city of Yerevan.



November - December 1988 special forces ensured the state of emergency in Baku, participated in a special operation to liberate the square named after. Lenin from extremist-minded persons.



In May 1989, the battalion servicemen took part in the release of hostages taken by criminals in the pre-trial detention center in the city of Kizel and in the corrective labor colony in the village. Forest.



In June 1989, the UBSN took part in an operation to suppress unprecedented scale and cruelty of nationalist terrorism, liquidate riots, disarm extremists, escort columns with refugees in the Fergana region of the Uzbek SSR.



In June 1989, the special forces liquidated the riots in the Mangyshlak region of the Kazakh SSR.



In July 1989, the servicemen of the UBSN prevented clashes on interethnic grounds in the Abkhaz ASSR.



In November 1989, the personnel of the battalion participated in the activities of law enforcement agencies to restore public order in the Moldavian SSR.



In January 1990, special forces soldiers assisted border guards in protecting the state border in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Okrug of the Azerbaijan SSR. In the same month, joint actions were carried out with group "A" of the KGB of the USSR to detain extremists from the Popular Front of Azerbaijan in the city of Baku.



In March 1990, the formation of an experimental officer (contract) special-purpose company began as part of the battalion.



In April 1990, the battalion participated in a special operation to free the hostages and liquidate the terrorist base near the city of Ijevan, Armenian SSR.



In August 1990 special forces of the UBSN, together with group "A" of the KGB of the USSR, carried out a unique operation to free the hostages and neutralize armed criminals in the temporary detention center of the city of Sukhumi.

In April 1991, the personnel participated in the escort of a convoy with food through the Roki Pass and the disarmament of militants in the South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug.



In May 1991, by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR dated 05.05.1991 No. 033, the 6th Special Forces Detachment was formed on the basis of the Special Purpose Training Battalion, which was named "Vityaz".



In June 1991, the Detachment ensures law and order and suppresses illegal actions in the Moldavian SSR.

November 1991 military personnel guard the building of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic's Ministry of Internal Affairs in the city of Grozny blocked by extremists.

In December 1991The detachment ensures law and order in a difficult operational situation in the city of Vladikavkaz.

May-September 1992the personnel of the Detachment participates in resolving the Ossetian-Ingush conflict and disarming illegal armed formations.

September-October 1992special forces take part in the liquidation of riots in the pre-trial detention center of the city of Nalchik, detain especially dangerous criminals in the city of Tyrnyauz, Kabardino-Balkarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

November - December 1992the personnel of the "Vityaz" takes part in the disarmament of extremists, the elimination of illegal armed groups, the prevention of clashes between the warring parties in the zone of the Ossetian-Ingush conflict.

May 31, 1993 the commander of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia approved the "Regulations on the qualification exam for the right to wear a maroon beret."

In July 1993 Soldiers of the Detachment carry out tasks to eliminate bandit formations in the zone of the Ossetian-Ingush conflict.

In October 1993Special Forces soldiers carried out the task of defending the Ostankino television center from armed oppositionists who were trying to illegally seize it.

Since December 11, 1994The detachment took part in the liquidation of illegal armed formations on the territory of the Chechen Republic. The servicemen participated in the liberation from bandits of settlements: Argun, Gudermes, Orekhovo, Samashki, Ishcherskaya and others, participated in the battles near Bamut.

January 1996 The Vityaz detachment was alerted and successfully completed the task of releasing the hostages captured by the gang of S. Raduev and held in the settlement of Pervomaisky, and in February of the same year liberated the settlement of Novogroznensky from illegal armed formations located there.

March-May 1998The detachment carried out combat missions in the areas bordering Chechnya.

January 31, 1999 The 6th Special Purpose Detachment of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia was reorganized into the 118th Special Purpose Regiment of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation dated January 31, 1998 No. 07). By order of the State Committee for Airborne Forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 84 l / s dated 06/30/1999, the 118th Special Purpose Regiment of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation was reorganized into the 1st Red Banner Special Purpose Regiment, and then it was given the status of the Special Purpose Regiment "Vityaz".

September 18, 2000qualification competitions for the title of "Excellent hand-to-hand combatant" were resumed.

June-December 2000military personnel of the Vityaz Regiment performed service and combat missions during the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus.

November - December 2001The regiment performed service and combat missions on the territory of the Chechen Republic.

In accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of RussiaNo. 051 dated December 25, 2001The 1st Red Banner Special Purpose Regiment "Vityaz" was reorganized into the 1st Red Banner Special Purpose Detachment "Vityaz".

January-May 2002The detachment performs service and combat missions on the territory of the Chechen Republic.

October 23 - 26, 2002The detachment took part in a special operation to free the hostages seized in the theater center on Dubrovka (Moscow) by Chechen terrorists.

January 12 to September 21, 2003year, the military unit performed service and combat missions during the next business trip to the North Caucasus region.

The special purpose detachment "Vityaz" performs service and combat missions on the territory of the North Caucasus region. For courage and heroism, more than 500 servicemen of the Detachment were awarded state awards, and six of them were awarded the high title of Hero Russian Federation.

In accordance with the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the head internal troops before the command of the Separate Motorized Rifle Division operational purpose them. 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- the 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 of OMSDON. The corresponding order of the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR stated that “the selection and staffing of a special-purpose training company with officers, warrant officers, sergeants and conscripts should be made from among disciplined servicemen of the internal troops with the necessary physical and moral and psychological qualities.”
In January 1978, the recruitment of officers for the URSN began, the coordination of platoons, the development curriculum.

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

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

The constant involvement of special forces in the most difficult service and combat tasks made it necessary to withdraw the special-purpose training battalion from the state of the 2nd regiment of the division named after. Dzerzhinsky and the creation of a separate military unit. By order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR on May 5, 1991, the 6th Special Forces Detachment "Vityaz" was formed on the basis of the 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 Purpose Regiment "Vityaz" of the ODON VV of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

By order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia 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 unit "Rus".

Forever enrolled in the lists of the military unit: Junior Sergeant Yatsina I., Private Sitnikov N.Yu., Contract Sergeant Burnaev S.A., Senior Lieutenant Shelokhvostov I.Yu., Captain Serkov D.A., Contract 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., Contract Sergeant Burnaev S.A., Senior Lieutenant I. Shelokhvostov .Yu., captain Serkov D.A., contract sergeant Sitnikov A.S.

Throughout the history of Russia, many units have been engaged in anti-terrorist activities and the release of hostages. One of them was the 1st Red Banner Special Forces Detachment, which is better known as the Vityaz special forces.

When was the division formed?

The holding of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow required the government and power structures taking special precautions. Work in this direction began to be carried out since 1978. As a result, a training sports company of the URSN was created in a separate operational motorized rifle division named after F. Dzerzhinsky. Members of the personnel of this unit were supposed to ensure security higher ranks countries and guests during the Olympic Games. The special unit included officers, warrant officers, sergeants and conscripts. By order of the Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the selection criteria were: high level discipline and physical fitness, as well as the moral and psychological qualities necessary for work. In 1989, this training company became the basis for the creation of a special forces battalion, whose employees were involved in the most difficult combat missions. In May 1991, by order of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the special forces of the Vityaz VV were formed from the employees of this training battalion.

Functions

Employees who were part of the Vityaz special forces were engaged in the following tasks:

  • Stopped terrorist attacks.
  • The hostages were released.
  • They were engaged in the protection of important state facilities, special cargo, government buildings and communication facilities.

Subdivision symbol

After the Vityaz special forces were formed, the question arose of how to distinguish the employees of this unit from others. For this purpose, berets were used by various special forces. The berets of each unit differed from each other in their color. The servicemen who made up the Vityaz special forces wore maroon berets. This color is a symbol of the blood spilled by employees internal service during their combat missions. According to many veterans who went through the Chechen campaign, only the best deserve the right to wear maroon berets.

Only well-trained military personnel could achieve a high result. Not a single “krapovik” fell into the hands of Chechen fighters during the entire period of the war, while the Vityaz special forces were performing their tasks on the territory of the rebellious republic. The photo below represents the external design of the beret.

Start of testing

It was possible to determine who is worthy of wearing this headdress by examining military personnel. From the very beginning of the introduction in the division of the maroon beret, such exams were conducted behind the scenes. This is explained by the fact that the idea of ​​"chosenness" was not welcomed by the high military command. Only in 1993, the commander of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Kulikov, approved the regulation "On the qualification tests of military personnel for the right to wear a maroon beret."

How is the special forces "Vityaz" examined?

What are they teaching?

In the center "Vityaz" instructors teach the following disciplines: legal training, tactical-special, special fire, physical, medical, psychological and route training. The latter consists in the development of special driving techniques by students. In addition, instructors are trained to use special equipment.

The special purpose detachment "Vityaz" is subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. This anti-terrorist unit went down in history as one of the best.

The governments of many countries have long been faced with the threat of terrorism and have come to the conclusion that special power structures should be involved in the fight against this global evil.

Political leadership Soviet Union began to consider countering terrorism as one of the most important state tasks in the late 70s of the last century. And one of the first domestic counter-terrorist units was the special-purpose training company of the Separate Motorized Rifle Division of Special Purpose named after. F. Dzerzhinsky, the decision to form which was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the USSR on the eve of the XXII Olympic Games in Moscow. It was this unit that became the forerunner of the legendary Vityaz detachment and the ODON Special Purpose Center, which was later created on its basis.

December 29, 1977 - the 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 of OMSDON.

The corresponding order of the Minister of Internal Affairs stated: “The selection and staffing of a special-purpose training company with officers, warrant officers, sergeants and conscripts should be made from among disciplined servicemen of the internal troops with the necessary physical and moral and psychological qualities.”

The time for creating a unique unit was very limited, the deadlines were very tight. In January 1978, the URSN began recruiting officers, coordinating platoons, and developing a curriculum. In parallel with this, the unit, staffed by the best military personnel of the 2nd regiment, began to practical training and workouts.

Already in February, the special forces held the first demonstration lesson for the leadership of the troops, after which for three months in training center connection, intensive preparations were made for the demonstration performance. It was there that the first military special forces had to take an exam before the Minister of the Interior. By this time, the first 25 maroon berets were sewn for the company's military personnel by special order.

On June 1, 1978, after a successful demonstration session, the need for the existence of special forces units in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was officially recognized. And the serious purposeful work began! Its first months showed that for better training of military personnel serving on conscription, it is necessary to introduce full-time positions of instructors for special training in the special unit. And they appeared in the states of the URSN in 1979.

In 1980, the first division of the special forces of the internal troops opened an account for their military affairs. In June, the company performed security tasks in the area of ​​the Vnukovo airport, where the An-24 aircraft crashed. In July-August, she was on combat duty during the XXII Olympic Games, being in constant readiness at the first signal to protect public order and public safety at any of the Olympic venues.
Since then, there have been dozens, hundreds of successful operations, many of which would be considered an honor to have elite units anti-terror of various countries of the world ...

hotspot times

In October 1981, the personnel of the URSN OMSDON took part in a special operation to eliminate riots in Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz). On December 18 of the same year, the “knights”, together with group “A” of the KGB of the USSR, released hostages taken by criminals in one of the schools in the city of Sarapul, Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In the fall of 1982, the special forces of the internal troops were involved in the elimination of riots perpetrated by conscripts from the North Caucasus, following the train through Moscow to Yaroslavl.

The first years of the existence of the special forces of the law enforcement forces and the first operations they carried out showed the need to independently select and train recruits from among the recruits. For these purposes, in July 1984, a training platoon was introduced into the staff of the URSN.

In November of the same year, the “knights” successfully completed a particularly important government task to assist employees of the USSR Prosecutor General’s Office during the investigation of the so-called “Uzbek case”. In July 1985, the company was on combat duty during the World Festival of Youth and Students, held in Moscow.

On September 21, 1986, the URSN OMSDON, together with Group A of the KGB of the USSR, took part in a special operation to free an airplane hijacked by terrorists at the airport in Ufa.

1988 became one of the most intense in the combat biography of the “knights”. In February-March, they participated in the suppression of riots, pogroms, robberies and atrocities against the local population in Sumgayit of the Azerbaijan SSR, searched for weapons in places of illegal storage, seized stolen valuables from criminals, guarded especially important objects of the republican Ministry of Internal Affairs in places with difficult operating environment. In July of the same year, they took part in a special operation to unblock the Zvartnots airport in Yerevan. In September, mass riots were liquidated in the Azerbaijani capital itself. In November-December, they were transferred to Armenia, where the special forces ensured the state of emergency.

This year is also significant for the fact that it was in the eighty-eighth that Sergei Ivanovich Lysyuk, who then headed the "knights", had the idea of ​​holding an exam for the right to wear a maroon beret. Now it is hard to imagine, but at first she did not find understanding among some representatives of the command of the troops, who believed that all special forces soldiers without exception should wear such a headdress. Therefore, the first tests were carried out under the guise of complex and control and verification classes.

But time has taken its toll! The actions of the "krapoviks" in special operations, their moral and psychological hardening proved the importance of conducting such tests, which became officially recognized in 1993: on May 31, Colonel-General Anatoly Sergeevich Kulikov, who at that time headed the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, approved the "Regulations on qualification tests military personnel for the right to wear a maroon beret.

Taking into account the nature and content of the exam, its role in the training and education of special forces, a ritual of presenting a maroon beret was developed, which became at the same time an award for courage, stamina, combat skill, and a sign of high professional qualifications, and a symbol of valor and honor of the special forces of the internal troops.

And the combat biography of the detachment continued. In May 1989, special forces released hostages taken by criminals in the pre-trial detention center in the city of Kizel and in the corrective labor colony in the village of Lesnoye. In June, they participated in the operation to suppress unprecedented scale and cruelty of actions of nationalist terrorism, eliminate mass riots, disarm extremists, escort columns with refugees in the Fergana region of the Uzbek SSR and in the elimination of mass riots in the Mangyshlak region of the Kazakh SSR. In July, they prevented a clash on ethnic grounds in the Abkhaz ASSR, confiscated illegally stored weapons from the population and militants. In November, together with law enforcement agencies, they took part in measures to restore public order in the Moldavian SSR.

The involvement of internal troops in the resolution of interethnic conflicts necessitated an increase in the number, improvement of the structure and training of special forces. In December 1989, a special-purpose training battalion was created on the basis of the URSN.

In 1990, Transcaucasia became the main region for the use of "knights". In January, they assisted the border guards in protecting the state border in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Region of the Azerbaijan SSR, detained extremists from the Popular Front of Azerbaijan, and carried out several successful operations in Baku. In April hail-killing guns were confiscated from Armenian militants and a special operation was carried out to free the hostages, liquidating the terrorist base near the city of Ijevan. In July, while patrolling the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on helicopters, they disarmed a gang of more than 50 people. This operation is still considered one of the most effective in the combat annals of the detachment ...

During the air patrol of the section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border near the village of Vagudi in the Sisian region of the Armenian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, the “knights” discovered a group of armed people who were near the destroyed sheepfold. They landed nearby from four helicopters and surrounded the building. For the militants, the appearance of special forces was a complete surprise. But despite this, they quickly prepared for battle. And, bristling in all directions with the barrels of machine guns, they prepared to repel the attack.

Realizing that any forceful actions would lead to bloodshed, the commanders of the special forces began negotiations with the leaders of the bandits. At first, they flatly refused to lay down their trunks. Two hours passed in incredible tension, during which the special forces and militants held each other at gunpoint. The Knights showed composure, withstood this psychological pressure. No one broke loose, did not violate the iron rule: do not shoot without a command. Time passed, the extremists began to run out of steam. The formidable appearance of the fighters in maroon berets greatly reduced their warlike ardor. Finally, the field commander waved his hand doomedly: "Your took ...". On that day, 7 mortars, a machine gun, 7 machine guns, 5 carbines, 10 rifles, 4 improvised grenade launchers, 80 shells, 80 mines and a huge amount of cartridges were confiscated from the militants. The total weight of the trophies was more than one and a half tons.

If we talk about military operations, then we should definitely remember that it was in August 1990 that the "knights" together with the fighters of Group "A" of the KGB of the USSR participated in the unique operation on the release of hostages taken by armed criminals in the temporary detention center of the city of Sukhumi.

That year was notable for two other events. In the spring, for the first time in the internal troops, an experiment was undertaken in the battalion to form a company staffed exclusively by contract servicemen. And in the fall, the first international contact of the special forces of the internal troops with colleagues from abroad took place: in November, representatives of the Vityaz went on an internship to the Cobra special team of the Austrian federal gendarmerie.

Squad, to battle

The constant involvement of special forces in the most complex service and combat missions led to the next stage in the development of the Vityaz - the creation of a separate military unit. And this happened in May 1991, when, by order of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the basis of the special-purpose training battalion of the 2nd regiment of the division named after. F. Dzerzhinsky, the 6th special forces detachment was formed. The young special forces detachment continued the chronicle of glorious deeds.

In the spring of 1991, in the most difficult conditions of the highlands, its fighters led a convoy with food through the blocked Roksky pass, breaking through the economic blockade of the city of Tskhinval in the South Ossetian Autonomous Region, disarming several formations of Georgian militants along the way.
In June, the “knights”, on the instructions of the command of the troops, checked intelligence data on the preparation of extremists to carry out illegal actions in the Moldavian SSR. In November, they guarded the blocked building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in Grozny, stopping all attempts by extremists to take possession of weapons and official documentation. In December, they participated in ensuring law and order in Vladikavkaz, where the operational situation sharply worsened.

And the next year did not bring peace. In May 1992, the "knights" seized weapons from gangs in North Ossetia, in Vladikavkaz they detained and disarmed militants of the Teziev group, who were preparing a series of terrorist attacks. In July-October, they guarded the representative offices of the Supreme Soviet of Russia in the city of Nazran. In September, reconnaissance and search activities were carried out in Karachay-Cherkessia with the aim of detaining and disarming Chechen fighters who were trying to penetrate into Abkhazia. In October, mass riots were liquidated in the pre-trial detention center in the city of Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, and especially dangerous criminals were detained in the city of Tyrnyauz. In November, detachments of extremists were disarmed, preventing clashes between the opposing sides in the zone of the Ossetian-Ingush conflict.

In July 1993, a detachment, re-introduced into the zone of the Ossetian-Ingush conflict, near the village of Ali-Yurt, liquidated a gang terrorizing local residents. And in the fall of the same year, when, against the background of the political crisis in the country, mass riots with the use of weapons broke out in the capital, he defended the Ostankino television center.

In those days, extremists seized two armored personnel carriers and thirty vehicles of a division of internal troops that arrived in the city to suppress riots. Armed opposition groups, inspired by these successes and their own impunity, moved to the television center. After a stormy rally, the demonstrators turned to action. The building of the hardware-studio complex was fired upon from small arms, and a shot was fired at it from a hand grenade launcher. The grenade flew into the second floor and exploded. A large fragment pierced the strap of Private Sitnikov's body armor. The comrades tried to take out the wounded on the BTEER, but the snipers did not let him get closer to the equipment. Nicholas died in the arms of his colleagues. On October 7, 1993, a soldier of the Vityaz detachment, Private Nikolai Yuryevich Sitnikov, was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation ...

Since the autumn of 1994, the entire history of Vityaz has been a continuous series of special operations to suppress the activities of illegal armed groups in the North Caucasus region.

From September to mid-December, the detachment conducted reconnaissance and search activities on the Chechen-Dagestan border. And throughout the second half of December, he held special events to free the servicemen of the operational regiment of the Volga District of Internal Troops, captured in Khasavyurt on the first day of the introduction of federal troops into Chechnya.

In January 1995, the "knights" woolen settlements along the Mozdok-Chervlennaya-Grozny railway line. In March, they participated in operations to liberate Argun and Gudermes from militants. In April, they met in a fierce battle with selected thugs near Bamut, where brothers from the Rosich detachment got into serious trouble on Lysa Gora. Faced with large forces of militants, they were forced to fight surrounded. A few hours later, during which the "Rosichs" kept all-round defense, the situation became critical: the detachment, literally bleeding, already had twelve "two hundred" and more than sixty wounded.

It was almost impossible to break through to the besieged: the area adjacent to the ill-fated height was completely shot through by the "spirits", the river blocked the path. And yet, the “knights”, having received such a task, did it! Breaking through to the brothers, they immediately joined the fray. A little later, by some miracle, three detachment armored personnel carriers managed to slip through to the site of the clash. After that, it was decided to break out of the ring. The "Rosichs" carried out their fallen and seriously wounded from under fire, the "Knights" covered them with dense fire. In that battle, deliberately taking a mortal risk in the name of saving their comrades, they actually demonstrated what the special forces brotherhood means ...

At the end of May 1995, during the destruction of large detachments of militants who settled in the Nozhai-Yurtovsky district of Chechnya, the Vityaz had to take a well-fortified height 541.9 adapted for long-term defense. Already at the nomination from the starting line, the special forces came under heavy fire from the militants and rolled back with losses. But, having regrouped and replenished their ammunition, the next day they again rushed forward. They acted decisively and coherently. Faithful to the spetsnaz commandment: “We all leave or no one leaves,” they pulled out the wounded and the dead from the fire and evacuated them to the BMP. Under the cover of armor, the bandits were driven out of their positions.

In January 1996, the “knights” took part in the assault on the village of Pervomaiskoye, captured by the Raduev gang, which escaped from Kizlyar together with the hostages after a terrorist attack in this Dagestan city.

The detachment advanced to the southeastern outskirts of the village under the cover of helicopters. The starting position was taken along the canal. The first fire contact occurred when the reconnaissance patrol of the "knights" stumbled upon the forward guard of the Radoyevites. Not expecting a meeting with such a deeply wedged intelligence, the militants were unable to respond in time and were destroyed during a short skirmish.

Having come to their senses and having taken the positions left for the time of the air raid, the Radoyevites made an attempt to push back the special forces. But in vain - the detachment was securely entrenched on the outskirts of the village. Then the reserves pulled up, and the next day, after the artillery preparation, the special forces went on the assault, finding a gap in the enemy's defenses. The detachment managed to make deep raids into the village, freeing several hostages. At the same time, twelve fighters, including the deputy commander of the detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Kublin, were wounded. "Knights", breaking into the depths locality, were ready to stand on the reclaimed land to the last. But for tactical reasons, on the orders of the senior commander, they retreated to the outskirts of Pervomaisky. The reconnaissance detachment was in the center of the village controlled by the militants, at the risk of falling under the blows of their aircraft. Their intelligence proved valuable to the leaders of the operation and contributed to the overall success.

For the special operation in Pervomaisky, the commander of the Vityaz detachment, Colonel Alexander Nikishin, and his deputy for work with personnel, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Kublin, were awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation, many fighters of the detachment were awarded orders and medals.

In 1997-1998, the detachment carried out combat missions in the areas bordering Chechnya. At the same time, in paragraph permanent deployment hard work to improve educational process taking into account the experience gained in the performance of combat missions during the first Chechen campaign: everyone was sure that it would still come in handy ...

Since June 2000, the “knights” have been back in the North Caucasus. And again, one special operation follows another.

On March 28, 2002, the detachment, which was on a regular combat mission, was given the task of checking operational information about the location of a large cache. A few minutes to collect - and the column of armored personnel carriers is already flying towards Argun. The indicated area was quickly found, a cordon was set up and a reconnaissance was carried out. The building of the abandoned school, which was to be inspected, stood on a large wasteland. Almost right next to it, several houses were located, where it was possible to equip a sufficient number of firing points from which everything around would be shot.

The upper floors were cleared quickly, leaving the basement. Several assault groups entered it from different directions. The one, which included Sergeant Sergei Burnaev, found an artillery shell in the very first room - a blank for installing a land mine. The next few rooms were empty. For further advancement, the special forces had to climb through an opening a little larger than a window. It was not easy for strong guys in bulletproof vests with weapons and ammunition to do this. Sergei, as one of the most experienced in the group, was the first to climb over the window and began to cover the movement of the others.
Suddenly, out of the darkness, several bursts of machine-gun fire rang out at point-blank range: the militants were firing from an embrasure in the wall. Sergeant Burnaev was closest to the militants. The "spirits" cut him off with fire, preventing the others from assisting Sergei. At this time, the senior group decided to retreat: the ammunition was running out, it was necessary to pull out the wounded. They gave the command to Burnaev. They would have covered him, but Sergei showed signs that he would stay and cover the others himself. Perhaps he saw something that others did not see ...

The last of the retreating fighters, who ran up to the door broken down by the BTEER, froze for a second: an explosion was heard in the depths of the basement. One of the militants threw a grenade after the "knights" who were carrying out the wounded brothers. In a cramped dungeon, the death of most of the group was inevitable. But Sergei did not allow this: he rushed to the grenade and covered it with his body ... On November 16, 2002, Sergeant Burnaev was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia.
On October 23-26 of the same year, the “knights”, together with employees of the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia, released hostages taken by terrorists in Moscow during the performance of the musical “Nord-Ost”. And in January 2003, they again flew to Chechnya, where, together with law enforcement officers, they carried out special operations to destroy illegal mini-oil refineries, helped police officers check the passport regime, looking for legalized militants, and ensured the security of local authorities.

On February 4, 2003, the "knights" urgently left for Argun to check operational information of exceptional importance. Arriving at the scene, the group, led by senior lieutenant Ivan Shelokhvostov, immediately stormed the private household where the militants were hiding. They met the special forces with heavy fire from machine guns. The officer, having destroyed two bandits, was wounded and ordered his subordinates to retreat. He himself remained inside the building to cover the retreat of his soldiers and the evacuation of other wounded. From the explosion of a grenade in the house ignited household gas, a fire broke out. Then there was a powerful explosion, the ceiling and the roof collapsed, burying the courageous officer under them. In that battle, the "knights" managed to destroy, among other militants, a high-ranking field commander Chantaev ... Senior Lieutenant Ivan Shelokhvostov, thanks to whose courage and self-sacrifice the combat mission was completed, was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia ...

In October-November 2006, the detachment's combined group, in addition to military operations in the North Caucasus, successfully completed the especially important task of the Government of the Russian Federation to provide assistance and ensure the safety of employees of the Prosecutor General's Office investigating economic crimes in Vladivostok.

In the summer of 2007, the “knights” participated in a special comprehensive preventive operation to suppress the activities of the gang underground in Dagestan, chalking up many victories - the destruction of militant bases and camps for the training of suicide bombers, the seizure of weapons and ammunition.
On August 2, a group led by Captain Dmitry Serkov was in ambush on one of the likely routes for the movement of bandits. Special Forces sappers moved forward to install minefield, and at that moment the militants appeared. Instantly assessing the situation, Dmitry decided to start a fight in order to ensure a safe retreat for his subordinates. During the shootout, he was wounded in the arm. Simultaneously with the commander, the signalman of the group was seriously wounded. Carrying a bleeding comrade out from under fire, the captain received a second bullet wound, this time in the leg.

Seeing that the special forces were unable to move, the militants tried to get close to them. Letting them go to the maximum close quarters, an officer, overcoming pain, destroyed two more with machine gun fire and grenades, continuing to shoot with the rest. "Knights" were already in a hurry to help. But at that moment, Captain Serkov received a third wound, which turned out to be fatal.


In the course of further clashes, the gang was completely eliminated. Among the destroyed bandits were two field commanders, who were on the federal wanted list for a long time ... For courage and bravery shown in the execution military duty, captain Dmitry Serkov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia.

Center for Glorious Deeds

In September 2008, the Special Purpose Center was formed on the basis of the Vityaz detachment. Since then, its military personnel have almost constantly taken part in the disarmament and liquidation of illegal armed groups, organized criminal groups, the seizure of illegally stored weapons from the population; in the suppression of acts of terrorism, in ensuring the security of officials and individual citizens of the Russian Federation on the territory of the North Caucasus region. In the course of carrying out combat missions, the fighters of the Center destroyed 78 and captured 12 militants. Four commandos fell in battles with the bandits - Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Kozlov, Sergeant Evgeny Radunsky, Corporal Vadim Stepanov and Sergeant Alexei Sitnikov, who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia. More than 100 soldiers and officers of the TsSN were awarded state awards.

In the Center, highly specialized units have been created and have already gone through the process of formation, which so far have not been in the special forces of the law enforcement forces. This is a group of divers who have experience in performing combat missions on Lake Baikal, in the Sea of ​​Japan and the Caspian Sea, and water bodies of the Moscow Region. These are groups of glider and hang glider pilots, an electronic intelligence unit and some others.

AT last years TsSN fighters are actively mastering mountaineering science and parachuting: 2 instructors and 40 excellent students of parachute training have been trained here, 58 special forces have completed the Russian Alpinist standard. The Center's team became the winner of the Russian ski mountaineering championship in 2010 and 2011, and in 2012 became the best in the country in this sport. This year, the fighters of the CSN as part of the Russian national team took part in the international mountaineering competition "Ice Patrol" in the Swiss Alps and won prizes.