89417 5 separate. Formations and military units of special forces (1955–1991)
The 5th detachment from Maryina Gorka is also an elite formation in the sense that they were trusted in the General Staff to check all the latest weapons and special forces uniforms. So the traditions of special forces in Belarus have been going on since Soviet times. Recently, the 5th separate special forces brigade turned 50 years old, on which we congratulate them with pleasure!
Characteristics
- 5 ObrSpN Maryina Gorka
Flag of the 5th Special Forces Brigade
Special forces are the elite of the military forces. People who are weak in body and spirit are not taken there. Only strong men serve there, ready to Hard time cope with misfortunes and help a friend. And most importantly - who will complete the task.
There are, frankly, not too many special forces units in Belarus. But the most famous of them is 5 separate brigade special forces, which is comfortably located in the small town of Maryina Gorka. Part c great history. Once glorious, imbued with the spirit of victory, a thirst for struggle, a desire to fulfill their duty to the country, men bravely fought together with other units of the GRU special forces against the Mujahideen. On the account of the fighters, a lot of enemy lives have accumulated. The 5th Special Forces Brigade with honor and valor got out of difficult situations. Her appearance immediately calmed the unstable situation in Armenia, when the rebels were already ready to rebel and destabilize the situation.
History and emblem of the "Five" GRU
The 5th detachment from Maryina Gorka is also an elite formation in the sense that they were trusted in the General Staff to check all the latest weapons and special forces uniforms. So the traditions of special forces in Belarus have been going on since Soviet times. Let the history of the brigade drag on for a long time, but honor and praise to the young generation of strong special forces who remember and honor the glorious deeds of veterans, congratulate them and want to be like them.
In the 5th detachment of Maryina Gorka, a unit was also created that for a long time had no analogues in the Soviet and Russian parts of the GRU special forces - a special special forces company, consisting of ensigns and higher ranks of special forces. Without exaggeration, it was a super unit of the highest class and level of training. A special company of the 5th Special Forces even had its own sleeve insignia - an exceptional event for the Soviet army! Veterans of the operation in Afghanistan served in a special company, there were also specially trained athletes in various applied combats and in hand-to-hand sports.
It is also necessary to tell about the emblem of the 5th obrspn. It consists of several elements: a fox, a directed arrow, as well as the constellation Ursa Major and the North Star. What it means: a fox is a cunning, small, but nimble and cautious predator, ready to strike at any moment, devour the victim, leave the enemy with his nose. The fighters of the 5th detachment of Maryina Gorka are also ready for such tactics. The arrow is a very old symbol. reconnaissance troops, denotes the intention and the possibility of a deep entry into the rear and sabotage there, as well as actions on the edge. This is how the fighters will act. And the constellation Ursa Major and bright polar Star denote accuracy in the offensive, in the selection of a possible target for impact, the ability to see everything and feel everything even in difficult conditions.
5 OBSpN today
In Belarus, they show genuine interest in the elite special forces unit and constantly shoot videos about it, make reports, and write in newspapers. Video 5 obrspn can be found in various social networks and video repositories. Be sure to look at the teachings and everyday life fighters.
Fortunately or unfortunately - who cares - the fighters of the 5th Special Forces in the years of sovereign Belarus have nowhere to apply their combat skills. While their colleagues from the Russian GRU special forces units are fighting in Chechnya, Ingushetia, South Ossetia, the special forces of Maryina Gorka are constantly training in exercises. And it may seem to many that courageous and strong guys have lost their fighting skills, have forgotten what it is like to be in constant tension, but this is not so. The High Command of the Military Forces of the Republic of Belarus will confirm that the 5th detachment from Maryina Gorka is the best, most prepared unit of all that exists in the Belarusian army. And they confirm this in exercises and in demonstration battles. Still, special forces in Belarus know how to do it - and this is a fact.
It's good to see in in social networks that young people want and strive to get into the 5th district of Maryina Gorka. True, of course, not everyone will be taken there - that's why she is the elite! - but the best and most promising, those who want to serve for the benefit of the Belarusian army and the Belarusian people, will definitely get into the 5th separate special forces brigade. And it's also nice to see that the girls are waiting for their soldiers from the service, for the sake of meeting them they move to live and work in Maryina Gorka. It is commendable. And this says that the very best young people of Belarus serve there, who even have life partners - the best, most devoted to the spirit of family and duty.
It is boldly worth noting that in the 5th Special Forces they maintain the continuity of the spirit, the old-timers are always ready to come to the rescue of the young, help them, cheer them up and temper them. On August 2, old and young generations of special forces, veterans gather, congratulate each other on their day, on the day airborne troops. And on this day we see that the traditions of the special forces in Belarus are still not forgotten.
Conclusion
If you forgot what it should look like a real man, a patriot of his country, strong, courageous and brave - come to Maryina Gorka, look at the veterans of the 5th Special Forces Brigade. All of them are people of exceptional training and exceptional character, as if they were made of steel. Nothing can beat them or break them.
Until recently, I was a shoemaker without boots. More than once or twice, he edited the reports of correspondents from Maryina Gorka, where, as you know, the legendary 5th separate brigade is stationed special purpose. I repeatedly selected photographs for publications about 5arr Special Forces. He studied heraldry and the history of the "five". But he himself (as the circumstances have developed) has not yet been in this elite formation of special operations forces. But better late than never.
Together with our colleagues - leaders of the Belarusian media - we gather near the administrative building of the Ministry of Defense and go by comfortable bus to Maryina Gorka. The reason is a seminar organized by the military department on the topic “ Current state and prospects for the development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus”. The program includes a speech by the chief General Staff Armed Forces - the First Deputy Minister of Defense, Major General Oleg Belokonev, an educational tour of the places of combat training and the training building of the brigade, a visit to the museum of military glory, a visit to the military shooting range ...
It should be clarified here: the Maryinogorsk brigade, due to the specifics of the tasks performed by the scouts of the army special forces, is a rather closed formation. Even the access of officers of the Armed Forces is restricted here. The writing and filming brethren, all the more so with an impressive landing force, come here only on very significant occasions. Such, for example, as Alexander Lukashenko's visit to the 5th Special Forces in December last year. The head of state was then informed that, according to State program In 2012-2013, more than 60 facilities were brought into proper condition in the 5th brigade, engineering networks and communications were completely replaced, the territory of the military camp, including the barracks, was completed. The President had the opportunity to see this personally.
“The military town is equipped according to the requirements of the 21st century. Its infrastructure, training and material base, barracks and equipment of the training ground allow for a full range of combat training,” said Oleg Belokonev, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense, speaking at the seminar.
Touching on the topic of the state and prospects for the development of the Armed Forces, the major general informed the leaders of the mass media that the elements of the immediate reaction forces are now being checked in a planned manner, structural components the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, as well as the operational commands, the commands of the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces - in order to fully find out how prepared the reconnaissance forces and means are. An interesting and informative educational program from Oleg Alekseevich included both an analysis of the nature of armed conflicts of the 21st century and an overview of the centers of instability on the planet, modern challenges and threats. The announcements of the most important events in the security of our country. Briefly about some: in December, a new plan for the defense of the state will be reported to the President; in 2015, it is planned to purchase Tigr armored vehicles for special operations forces to form combat battalion; Also next year, 20 Belarusian servicemen will make jumps on guided parachute systems as part of the Russian contingent in the Arctic.
...A story in the army is always followed by a show. So our seminar was not limited to a meeting in the lecture hall. For example, in the training building of the Maryinogorsk Special Forces Brigade, we were taken around premises hitherto inaccessible to civilian journalists. Moreover, in the language laboratory, where intelligence officers study foreign languages, and in the classes of topography, fire training, auditoriums for signalmen, they not only willingly answered many questions (within acceptable limits, of course), but they also allowed to shoot, photograph the modern "stuffing" - visual manuals, computers, various gadgets and equipment.
Among the guests of the "five", by the way, there were those who once passed in Maryina Gorka military service. "What has changed since then?" - asked one of them. Answer: Literally everything! - and constantly widened with surprise eyes. Yes, anyone, even a person from the outside, could be smitten with impressions on the spot! In order for scouts to become universal soldiers, samples of various sizes are at their disposal. small arms, reliable parachute systems, the best uniform and equipment. Before us are devices for combat swimmers. But the suits "Spetsnaz", "Partizan", "Gorka", "Leshy", winter and summer versions ... Here, at the brigade shooting range, we were shown silent submachine guns, sniper rifles, machine guns, including a veteran of the Great Patriotic War PPSh (after all, a commando must be able to shoot from all types of weapons), a reconnaissance shooting knife.
...However, we did not only observe. At the shooting range of the brigade, the heads of publications, TV reporters "sniffed the gunpowder." The first deputy editor-in-chief of Sovetskaya Belorussia, Mikhail Lebedik, places exactly in the top ten of the SVD. The deputy confidently handles pistols and machine guns CEO TV company STV Pavel Korenevsky. As if a real sniper cuts off targets, historian, publicist, editor of the Belaruskaya Dumka magazine Vadim Gigin. Boyko, and by no means into the “milk”, fires a clip from the “Makarov” Chief Editor newspaper "7 days" Natalia Filippovskaya. With weapons on "you" and deputy head of the criminal news department of ATN Alexander Smirnov.
Well, I ... What am I?! I aim from the PM at the target - the shell from the projectile, but the fountains of bullets, as luck would have it, rise either lower or to the left. There is not enough practice, skills, the "officer's" barrel does not immediately obey junior sergeant stock. In general, the main thing is participation! With these thoughts, I release several bursts from the submachine gun and finally fall under the magic of the weapon. I want to shoot again and again, since they did not spare cartridges on that sunny day at the special forces shooting range.
“Whoever shows the worst results in shooting will jump from a helicopter! The number of parachutes is limited! Also pay attention to the toothpaste that scouts take with them to the raid along with dry rations! Produced by a well-known global concern by order of the Ministry of Defense. After its use, the teeth of a fighter are able to gnaw through barbed wire on enemy targets. And a dazzling smile allows the scout to do without night vision devices! - Major General Belokonev invigorated us so much. But not with single jokes: Oleg Alekseevich willingly drove the most efficient journalists on the Bogatyr armored car (29 such Chinese “Hummers” were delivered to the Belarusian MTR). Surely, seeing this impressive arrival of newspapermen and television men, even the experienced Maryinogorsk special forces were pretty surprised: “We don’t know who they are, but their driver is the Chief of the General Staff!”
... When I entered the territory of the 5th Special Forces Brigade, the motto “Anywhere, at any time, any task!” flaunting at the checkpoint seemed like bravado. But it was worth looking at the everyday life of the "blue berets", talking with the officers, and the attitude towards the slogan of the scouts and paratroopers changed. In Maryina Gorka, words are not thrown around just like that. And we will tell you more than once about the affairs of the elite part. I look forward to another business trip to the capital of the army special forces. Lots of things on the agenda...
Andrey DEMENTIEVSKY
Photo by Artur PRUPAS
13.12.2013 - 23:41
News of Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenko considers the development of special operations forces one of promising directions in the Belarusian army. This opinion was expressed by the head of state today while visiting the 5th separate special-purpose brigade in Maryina Gorka. The President was shown the conditions in which the best of the best serve today: this formation is rightfully considered the elite of the Belarusian armed forces. The head of state noted the high potential of young people and drew attention to the fact that this potential should be used competently even after the end of the service.
Pavel has been in the 5th separate special forces brigade for 7 months. During this time, he managed not only to build muscle on simulators, but also to become a squad leader. Employees in Maryina Gorka really have ample opportunities for physical and intellectual improvement. The barracks are new, with gyms, modern lounges. But, the preparation, of course, is difficult, but it is beneficial, Pavel admits.
Pavel Demchenko, commander of the special forces group:
When I came to the military registration and enlistment office and they said that due to my health I fit into the most elite troops, I asked for this brigade. I consider it the best in the country. Basically, there is enough. The only thing missing for a soldier is a home.
Special Operations Forces is one of the priority areas construction and development of the Belarusian army, and therefore in the center, listening to the President.
Today, the head of state was shown the course of preparation of elite units. She is, without exaggeration, fighting.
Shooting training - landing, training shooting from sniper rifles, grenade launchers as part of various units and performing tasks of varying complexity. The regularity of such classes bring the actions of special groups to automatism. But the main thing here, of course, is the speed of achieving the desired effect.
From a report to the President:
At a distance of 1300 meters, a group of snipers is capable of taking out an anti-aircraft missile battalion on the march in a minute. Guaranteed!
This is an assault suit and related weapons. Much here is made in Belarus, but, of course, there is also an import component.
From a report to the President:
All modernization items (AK-ed.), with the exception of the body kit, are made by our defense complex.
On the abundant BARS complexes, special operations forces can effectively counter illegal formations. Both in the city and on rough terrain. Good cross-country ability, maneuverability, automatic adjustment of firing from heavy-caliber guns.
BUT a car"Bogatyr" - for mobile transportation of both soldiers and cargo.
Special pride - diving equipment - tugs, breathing apparatus and special equipment, developed by Belarusian specialists. By the way, in the air, or rather, landing, using all kinds of parachute systems, the Belarusians are far from the last positions.
From a report to the President:
In 2013 in China, at the World Championships, our team won 13 medals, 5 of them were gold.
According to the state program, a complete re-equipment of special operations forces units was carried out. New machinery and equipment have appeared. Weapons, respectively, and new high scores.
Oleg Belokonev, Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus:
The servicemen of this brigade have unique living conditions: not everyone has such houses.
The 5th brigade is engaged in special operations, reconnaissance and organizational tasks. Part of the Immediate Response Force. They also teach the so-called "power special disciplines" - martial arts, work in a group and alone ... By the way, among the teachers there are masters in three sports.
From a report to the President:
Shamanov came - airborne commander Russia. He cried! Then at 23.00 he called, saying "we are shocked, what kind of people you have, good-natured, they tell the truth - that they are a tolerant people. And what kind of relations do you have between law enforcement units!"
Per Last year about 60 objects were brought into proper condition under the program for the arrangement of military camps. Maryina Gorka can be a good example of the organization and personal life of the military.
:
16 houses, 1250 apartments were built.
In this brigade we have a hostel "for bachelors", a family hostel, 3 houses for service housing, by July 3 we are finishing the 4th house. This is more than 200 apartments. A cooperative was built by officers who have the opportunity to take a soft loan.
Arrangement of military camps in Belarus will continue.
Yuri Zhadobin, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus:
In general, Comrade President, this is the best town in terms of infrastructure. I'm not ashamed to introduce him to you.
In 4 years thanks to your decision to extend the program[the issue will be resolved for the rest - ed.].
They also discussed the need to use the potential of young people, who received good army hardening here.
Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus:
We must clearly calculate this and determine how we will develop in the future. I am not against such trained units.
What if a person leaves here, for a "citizen", this is our person. If he doesn't end up in law enforcement agencies, serve somewhere else, in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the KGB, all the same, these are our people. These are ours. I remember transferring such attention to the company of the guard of honor. The guys are beautiful, trained, educated. The service is very hard. These guys need to be supported. We are in dire need of such youth. I won’t say that we have a bad one, but this is the core that we are preparing here, especially due to the special operation, they should not be lost. They must be somewhere in the "citizen" to be, around them must be formed the main such knots of our young people, real men, so that we can always rely on them.
In the 5th separate special forces brigade, the president was given a symbolic gift. This is a combat knife with a commemorative inscription - "no one but us", and an indispensable paratrooper's vest, they said in the 24 Hours News program on STV.
"Communication is the nerve of the army." Signal troops celebrate 100th anniversary on October 20
Each branch of the military has its own annual holidays. Most often this is the date of its creation. For every military man, this event is important, almost like his own birthday. And even more so when it is a round date. This Sunday, October 20, the signal troops of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus will celebrate their 100th anniversary. We tell in the program about the most technologically advanced part of our army.
The 20th century, along with social revolutions, simultaneously brought technological revolutions. Maximally complicated the structure of all the armies of the world. Accordingly, coordination and management became more difficult. Therefore, on October 20, 1919, by order of the Revolutionary Military Council, a separate branch of the Red Army troops was formed - the signal troops. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, their number was 5 percent of the total composition of the Armed Forces. The largest use of signal troops is in the Belarusian offensive operation. 28 thousand radio stations were involved.
During the war, 339 signalmen received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. 130 steel full cavaliers Order of Glory. It was during the war years that many formations were formed, which even today provide communications for the Belarusian army.
Oleg Mishchenko, Head of Communications of the Armed Forces - Head of the Communications Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus:
Over its hundred-year history, the signal troops have gone through a large and glorious way. In my opinion, in our armed forces we managed to preserve all that good that was left of the Belarusian military district. From our illustrious formations and military units that took part in the Great Patriotic war which were formed in the post-war period. Which, on the basis of the Belarusian military district, were modernized, equipped with advanced weapons and military equipment. In addition, the preserved scientific and technical potential to use this basis and use its own means of communication already in sovereign Belarus.
Andrei Dedukh gave almost twenty years to the signal troops. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather - a war hero, and his father. Under him, everything that we talked about in the program was born in the sovereign Belarusian army.
Andrei Dedukh, lieutenant colonel in reserve:
The appearance of the signal troops has changed a lot. There has been a huge technical leap in technology, which is now entering service in terms of communications. The communications troops have now turned into highly effective modern digital troops that provide the Armed Forces with all types of communications, and on modern communications. That is, it was impossible before, probably, it was possible to imagine when the first exercises were held in Russian Federation that you can talk through a 140 MB radio station, modernized at our base, from the Ashuluk training ground with the city of Osipovichi, as if a person is in the next room.
And the dynasty of signalmen is continued by the son Sergey. Already promoted to captain. And I understood very well what a connection is. Both military and family.
Sergey Dedukh, head of the telephone center 62 TsUS:
Communication is the nerve of the army. Without communication, there is no control, no victory.
Oleg Mishchenko:
A special pride in the troops is the people. These are professionals in their field. You know, it's probably not so easy to get into a family of professional signalmen. Starting with education. And it's probably even harder to get out of it. Those who are devoted to their work, those who prove their professionalism, their devotion to ensure the security of our state with their daily work.
Of course, on this day, I would like, first of all, to congratulate our veterans on this holiday. The communications troops, probably, are not ashamed today that what we have left as a legacy, we have preserved, preserved, and in some areas, probably, increased. But it is for them to judge by our deeds. I would like to wish all the personnel good health, a peaceful sky over their heads and not stop there - learn a difficult profession and be a reliable defender of our state.
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Story
5th Separate Special Purpose Brigade Formed in 1962 as an airborne reconnaissance unit, has high level combat training and vast combat experience. Stationed in Maryina Gorka, Pukhovichi district, Minsk region. Participated in combat operations limited contingent Soviet troops in Afghanistan, conducted special events in Transcaucasia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The appearance of such military units and formations in Soviet army caused by the presence of, as it was customary to call it, our probable enemy in Europe nuclear weapons tactical purpose. The tasks of the airborne brigades included the destruction of command posts and missile launchers, fuel and ammunition supply bases, the collection of intelligence, sabotage on communications, in the future - and the organization partisan movement on enemy territory. Spetsnaz was designed to carry out operations in the rear in small groups. All brigades report directly to the chief intelligence agency General Staff. Soon a unique unit appeared - a company, consisting only of officers and ensigns, well-trained professionals. The best of the best were selected, who flawlessly mastered various styles of martial arts, shooting from all types of small arms, including Western models. Knowledge was essential foreign languages. The servicemen also took a course in light diving training under the program of naval special forces, mountaineering and piloting a trike. The company was intended to carry out especially important tasks in the interests of the GRU of the General Staff.
Training
The main direction of training is reconnaissance and sabotage activities. Scouts are taught to overcome swamps, water barriers. "Field is a soldier's academy" - fighters spend about seven months a year at the training ground.
In order to complete the task without losses away from the main forces, the commando must be a universal soldier. In his arsenal - tactics of covert movement, knowledge of engineering, mastery of techniques hand-to-hand combat and first aid skills. Distinctive features- skillful management of all types of army transport and the ability to shoot accurately from various types of small arms, including captured ones.
There are no mountains in Belarus, but there are many high-rise buildings. Therefore, the basis of training is urban mountaineering. Classes are held not only on the territory of the brigade, they are also organized jointly with colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB. Diving training is also provided.
Special forces are landing from the sky, and in a variety of ways. Landing with high precision day and night, in all weather conditions. To do this, new parachutes came into service here, which allow scouts to jump from any height and at any speed. aircraft. In addition to parachutes, there are in the arsenal of special forces and motorized hang gliders.
Horses do not eat hay
The military scale of the small Maryina Gorka can be judged by the size of residential buildings built there for the military. Almost fifty five-story buildings - a whole area.
The military history of Maryina Gorka began on the eve of World War II. During major military exercises, the people's commissar of defense liked the local landscape Kliment Voroshilov. The marshal gave a command, and in 1935 representatives of Voroshilov's favorite branch of the military, a cavalry division, were transferred here from the south.
The riders arrived right from Orenburg. And if there were no special issues with the arrangement of military personnel, then it turned out to be more difficult with horses. Orenburg horses did not eat Belarusian hay. From the south, urgently, military trains began to carry a special steppe. Where was it then unloaded from railway- Herbs unusual for our region grow there even today, causing shock among domestic botanists.
The flames of World War II were already burning in Europe. The battles showed that the time of the cavalry had expired. And instead of riders in the Minsk region, representatives of a completely new military profession- paratroopers. Located in Maryina Gorka 214th airborne brigade , subsequently reorganized into an even larger military unit - airborne corps. Immediately began to base airborne bomber regiment. She also had her own military school pilots, which was subsequently transferred to Postavy.
Even the village in the pre-war period could boast of its own military school. By the will of the General Staff, along with Moscow or Leningrad, such an honor fell to the small Maryina Gorka. Lt. Col. Ivan Yakubovsky- the future famous military leader, Marshal of Victory. True, his cadets-pupils up to marshal stars it was not possible to reach: almost all died during the months of the war. Only a few of them survived.
The school itself at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War was transferred to the deep rear near Vologda. But even there, in Upper Ustyug, it bore its former name with a Belarusian flavor - Pukhovichi Infantry.
And the Marinogorsk paratroopers, when June forty-first struck, were thrown to the west. And not with a parachute, as they have been teaching so far, but in ordinary cars. Ordered to help the infantry divisions to hold back the enemy strike. The infantrymen did not last long, they began to retreat to the east, but the 214th brigade did not retreat. For more than a month there was a battle under Old Roads, and then near Minsk. And only at the end of August she left the defense area and went out to her.
During the occupation Maryina Gorka was chosen by the invaders. The enemy created a powerful stronghold here, where soldiers and officers were sent from the front for rest and treatment. A hospital, an anti-aircraft artillery school and sapper courses operated here.
And tankers, and sappers, and combine operators
After liberation, a front division was withdrawn to Maryina Gorka (which, by the way, ended the war in Czechoslovakia), one of the oldest formations of the Red Army - 30th Guards Irkutsk-Pinsk named after the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR.
The first task of the military here in the postwar period was demining, - recalls the veteran Valentin Grishin. - There are plenty of Min left everywhere - both in the town and in the surrounding fields. And I also had to help local grain growers, since there were not enough workers on the collective farms. In winter and summer, combat training was in full swing, and in spring and autumn, the military could be seen on tractors or on reapers.
In 1968, the division had to urgently return to Czechoslovakia. The business trip turned out to be difficult: during the street fighting, there were both casualties and wounded. The connection was never returned to Belarus. "Thirty" remained in the Slovak city of Zvolen until 1990. And only when the socialist camp began to burst at the seams, Irkutsk-Pinskaya was again transferred to Belarus. Her place there, however, was occupied: regiments were stationed in the military camp. 8th Guards tank division . The eighth tank division was considered a reduced staff: it had only 2.5 thousand personnel instead of 11 thousand. But there was a complete set of equipment and weapons - the storage facilities were already cracking. And another division is sent to this crowded town. The tank was hastily disbanded, and in its place, the echelons of the "Czechoslovak" began to unload - 30th motorized rifle. The division came combat. The staff is far from the same as that of local tankers - about 12 thousand soldiers and officers. There was not enough room for her tanks and armored personnel carriers. And in secret (so that the enemy does not know) the divisions are allowed to keep one motorized rifle regiment without military equipment. And only then were they able to accommodate somehow.
When broke up Soviet Union, in the garrison, as elsewhere, a whirlpool of events began to boil, the result of which, among other things, were broken destinies. But the division, oddly enough, survived. Belarusian military leadership later reduced it to a brigade. At a time when there was an acute shortage of funds and material resources, even major exercises. And upon returning from the exercises, the officers and soldiers found out: they tried in vain, their formation is being reduced - there will only be a base for storing equipment.
Now there is no such base. Silently stand the old barracks, in some places the military buildings have been adapted to their needs by various civilian institutions. Thus it was closed military page in the history of this area of Maryina Gorka. Apparently forever.
Super secret special forces
In 1962, part of the town was separated into a super-secret facility with a tight access system. They overtook the warriors-heroes there, who did not even give a hint of what they were doing. In the top-secret town housed military special forces. Which was not even subordinate to the command of the military district - but only to the Main Intelligence Directorate in Moscow. Soldiers and officers were trained there, who could literally do anything in the war. There was only one such brigade in Belarus.
During the war in Afghanistan, the Maryinogorsk brigade sent 334th Special Forces Detachment, which in a mountainous country, in order to maintain secrecy, disguised itself as 5th separate motorized rifle battalion. It was located in the small town of Asadabad near the Afghan-Pakistan border - this is the most eastern point deployment of Soviet troops in Afghanistan.
Marinogorsk fought well. Two servicemen from this detachment became Heroes of the Soviet Union.
But at the beginning of a momentous combat way happened battle in the Maravar Gorge. The first battle of the 334th detachment in that war, which many of its veterans do not want to remember even now.
At the location of today's brigade stands monument, on which there are 108 names of soldiers and officers. The death of 29 of them is dated one day in April 1985. This is an unprecedented number of casualties in one battle. Especially for the military elite - special forces.
The detachment's exit to the mountains began as a regular exercise. And it was treated as an easy ride. For a little over a month, the people of Maryinogorsk were at war - they had not yet sniffed real gunpowder. The hope that dushmans should tremble with fear from their mere appearance was relaxing. Yes, and the fighters were sent at night to comb the village, which was only three kilometers from their military camp. Intelligence noticed a Mujahideen observation post there - a meager target.
But the dushmans were well prepared. They say that professional foreign mercenaries helped them then. Lured our first company into a trap. And when she, having broken into battle groups, began to pursue the guards, who seemed to take flight, cut her off from the rest, surrounded and began to destroy.
Our ammunition ran out very quickly: they did not take much of them for such a short exit. Radio contact with the battalion, as always happens at critical times, disappeared. And it was pointless to wait for support from there.
Company commander captain Nikolai Tsebruk understood everything, rushed at the enemy and was killed by a bullet in the neck. Lieutenant Nikolai Kuznetsov rescued the wounded, and then, in order not to be taken prisoner, he blew himself up with a grenade. Following him, seven more fighters of the detachment, young, strong, also did not want to fall into the hands of the enemy alive - they blew themselves up.
And all this is close by our garrison. Crazy shooting in the mountains there, of course, heard. But she could not quickly break through there at night, the artillery was connected late, and the artillerymen did not have exact coordinates for firing in the dark.
They say that those special forces who survived came out of hell to their ... gray-haired. And they were only eighteen or twenty years old. Some of them could not even snatch their weapons from their hands for a long time.
Even today they try not to talk much about this unsuccessful operation. But it was. 29 young guys- victims of error military tactics, hatred or staff nonsense - today they silently look at us from a soldier's monument on the territory of the brigade.
I change Domanovo to Helsinki
Since Soviet times, sentries of the sky have also been quartered in the local garrison - anti-aircraft missile brigade. The brigade had good weapon for its time - the Osa complexes. This military unit and preserved in the Belarusian army. At the turn of the 2000s, she was transferred from here to the Brest region, to Domanovo. Maybe such a route was justified strategically, but for the officers and their families, moving to the forest garrison seemed difficult. Some did not go to the Domanovskie forests. Resigned to stay in the city.
For twenty years now, Maryinogorsk residents have had the opportunity to visit Helsinki at least every day and without any visas. There is a whole so-called Finnish quarter. After all, as in Baranovichi, here at the end of the USSR they built a town for the Soviet units that were withdrawn from Germany. The tender was won by builders from Finland. The name "Helsinki" was given to the department store they built.
By the way, here, as well as in Baranovichi, troops from Germany did not come. It is difficult to imagine what the garrison would have looked like if Germany had received another full-fledged combat division. The local military were happy to move into the new apartments. New buildings were then offered even to Minsk homeless people - and some agreed: the housing created by the Finns looked very unusual. At that time we didn't know how to build like that.
The basis of today's garrison is the same famous 5th Special Forces Brigade. She is here alone now. Last year, the union celebrated its 50th anniversary. Belarusian youths still dream of getting into the service there. And, as before, this is not for everyone.