Gru spetsnaz operations in Chechnya. In whose interests is the special forces group disbanded in Chechnya Special forces about the war in Chechnya

| 10/16/2013 at 23:02

GRU SPECIAL FORCE IN CHECHNYA

During the first Chechen war of 1994-1996, Russian special forces were initially used only in intelligence. Due to the poor training of the ground units, the special forces had to take part in the assault groups. The battles of 1995 are considered the most tragic in the entire history of special forces, not only in Russia, but also in the USSR, since the detachments of the Special Forces then suffered huge losses.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, hard times came not only for the army, but also for special forces in particular. In the course of reorganizations and reforms, huge damage was done to the army special forces. Periodically, separate parts of the brigades were sent to the places of armed clashes. For example, the 173rd detachment took part in the elimination of unrest in Ossetia and Baku, waged war on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. The special forces of the 12th brigade of the Transcaucasian military corps took part in military operations on the territory of Azerbaijan and in Tbilisi, since 1991 in North Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The GRU special forces took the most active part during the battles of the first and second Chechen campaigns. During the first Chechen war of 1994-1996, consolidated and separate detachments from the brigades of the Moscow, Siberian, North Caucasian, Ural, Trans-Baikal and Far Eastern military districts operated.
By the spring of 1995, all detachments were withdrawn from Chechnya. Only a separate special-purpose detachment of the North Caucasian Military District remained in the republic, which took part in the hostilities until the very end of the first war, and returned to its place of deployment only in the fall of 1996.
Alas, the GRU special forces units were very often used as simple reconnaissance units as part of units and formations of the ground forces. Especially often this was observed at the initial stage of hostilities. This use was the result of a rather low level of training of the personnel of the regular units of these units of the ground forces. For the same reason mentioned above, groups of GRU special forces soldiers were included in the assault groups of the ground forces. An example of this is the assault on Grozny. Such decisions of the command ultimately led to very high losses in the special forces units. The battles of 1995 can be considered the most tragic for the entire long history of the special forces of the USSR and Russia.

For example, in early January 1995, a group of a special forces detachment of the 22nd separate special forces brigade was surrounded, and then captured. Another tragic accident occurred in Grozny, where an explosion occurred in a building housing a special forces unit of the GRU brigade of the Moscow Military District.
Despite this, the special forces during the fighting in Chechnya were able to develop their own tactics inherent in it. So, the most common technique was the organization of ambushes. Very often, the GRU special forces groups went on missions with information from the military counterintelligence agencies, the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. With the help of such ambushes, field commanders were often destroyed, who moved along the roads of the republic at night with little protection.
In May 1995, several special-purpose detachments of the GRU brigade of the North Caucasian Military District participated in the operation to free the hostages in Budyonnovsk. They did not take a direct part in the storming of the hospital, but exercised control in the vicinity of the city, and then escorted a convoy of buses with militants and hostages. At the beginning of the operation, a group of special forces in the amount of 47 people dealt a diversionary strike in order to pull the main forces of the militants over. At the final stage of the operation, the detachment inflicted tangible losses on the grouping of Raduev, breaking out of the village, despite the numerous superiority of the militants. For this battle, five special forces officers were immediately awarded the title of Hero of Russia, one of them posthumously. During the hostilities in Chechnya, the 173rd separate detachment, which took part in operations on the territory of the republic, was again equipped with military equipment. This made it possible to greatly increase the firepower of the special forces, as well as to give mobility to the active reconnaissance groups. Also, this period was characterized by the fact that the recruitment of the existing special forces units of the GRU began to be carried out with the help of contract servicemen. The level of education of such scouts was quite high. At the same time, people with education were attracted there by fairly high and regular cash payments.

All the lessons that the first Chechen campaign taught the Russian special forces were not forgotten. The level of combat training of the detachments has become much higher. It was also decided to resume competitions for the championship of special forces groups of the Armed Forces. The exchange of experience with foreign colleagues began to take place actively.
In 1996, the Khasavyurt agreement was signed, according to which a precarious peace reigned in the North Caucasus. But it was clear to everyone that this conflict was far from being settled by signing the papers. Also at that time there was a great danger of spreading the ideas of separatism to the regions neighboring Chechnya, and primarily to Dagestan. By the end of 1997, the General Staff realized that it was Dagestan that would be the first republic of the North Caucasus, which the separatists would try to tear away from Russia in order to create their own independent state in the Caucasus.

To counteract this, already at the beginning of 1998, the 411th special-purpose detachment was transferred to Kaspiysk from the 22nd separate special-purpose brigade. A few months later, the 173rd Special Forces Detachment arrived in its place. And so they succeeded each other until August 1999. The fighters of the detachments were engaged in reconnaissance in Dagestan in areas bordering Chechnya, studied the system of protection and warning of the administrative border with the Chechen side. In addition, the detachments carried out work to track the movement and sale of underground oil products, which at that time came in large quantities from the territory of Chechnya. Also, together with the detachments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB, the GRU special forces participated in operations to identify and suppress the illegal arms trade.
With the outbreak of hostilities, later known as the Second Chechen War, the special forces provided the federal troops with accurate intelligence, opened up the fortifications and positions of the militants. To solve these problems, first of all, the 8th separate special forces detachment was sent, as well as one company of the 3rd separate special forces detachment.
With the development of hostilities, the GRU special forces group was further strengthened by consolidated and separate detachments, which arrived from almost all military districts of the country. At the same time, they were led by the commander of the 22nd separate special-purpose brigade. After the main pockets of illegal bandit formations on the territory of Dagestan were defeated, the troops crossed into the territory of Chechnya. Special Forces detachments were part of all military groupings that attacked from all directions. Initially, the special forces conducted active reconnaissance in the interests of the advancing troops. At the same time, not a single commander at the head of the combined arms units began to move forward until permission was given by the commander of the GRU special forces group, who carried out reconnaissance in that area. In particular, it is precisely this tactic that explains the relatively low losses of federal troops in their advance towards Grozny.
In the future, the GRU special forces collected intelligence information about the group of militants that defended Grozny. And all the main defensive lines were opened with a very high degree of certainty.
Subsequently, the GRU special forces groups switched to their favorite tactics of search and ambush operations and organizing raids on discovered militant bases. This tactic worked especially well in the foothills and mountainous regions of the republic. Inspection groups also began to be actively used again, which, as in Afghanistan, operated from helicopters.
On October 24, 2000, the GRU special forces celebrated the 50th anniversary of the creation of special forces companies. For special distinction in the battles to ensure the security and integrity of the Russian Federation, the 22nd separate special-purpose brigade in April 2001 received the title of guards. It became the first part since the end of the Great Patriotic War, which was awarded such an honorary title.

GRU special forces brigades in the wars in Chechnya

The most acute phase of operations in the North Caucasus and in Chechnya in particular has already passed. But only for those who have never touched these events closely. Each GRU special forces fighter in Chechnya, videos about which can be found in a significant amount in this article, will hardly ever forget every day spent in the Chechen Republic. This article is long overdue, and it’s not even about the approaching one, there are simply topics that cannot be ignored.

Let's talk about the participation of special forces in the campaign against Chechen field commanders' militants. Or, to put it simply, about the GRU special forces in Chechnya. The video materials presented in the article will also arouse interest. It is also worth remembering the heroes of this war, or the counter-terrorist operation - as it is more convenient for anyone to call it. The essence of this will not change. As well as not returning those guys from the GRU special forces brigades in Chechnya, who forever remained to look at the mountains. Not through the sight of a machine gun, but from the sky.

Those who do not know history are forced to go through science anew. And it would be wrong to forget about the high casualties of special forces in this terrible southern meat grinder. You can safely watch the GRU special forces on television, having stumbled upon the news or films, but not know their glorious history. Yes, it often happens. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to talk about the glorious tough guys from the GRU special forces brigades, who honestly performed their duty. And here you can watch a video of the GRU special forces in Chechnya in good quality.

Chechen syndrome

What can I say, Russia has a long history, and everything has happened in it. Different people, different peoples live in our vast territory, and even now there are people who secretly dream of independence. What can we say about the collapse of the USSR and the creation of new independent states. Many countries had independent sentiments, but only 15 Soviet socialist republics stood out. The aspirations of SA General Dzhokhar Dudayev did not come true.

The Ichkerian conflict is, of course, not only Dudayev's battles against the GRU special forces in Chechnya. It just so happened that they were the most combat-ready formations in the newly formed Russian army, which lost in numbers, combat capability, the amount of equipment and material base. But it was nice to look at the GRU special forces - trained people, most of whom went through the crucible of the fight against dushmans in unfriendly Afghanistan.

Severe guys from the special forces brigades of the main intelligence department became everyone in the units that served in Chechnya. Often, after all, poorly trained recruits were thrown into the war, who were even afraid to shoot from a machine gun at Wahhabis, well-trained, radically minded, well-armed. Therefore, the losses were extremely high. But with the special forces, everything was different - the elite, whatever one may say, are fighters who are prepared to destroy the enemy. If you watch various videos of GRU spetsnaz in Chechnya, you can see how they perform often impossible tasks. But there are no random people in the GRU special forces brigades. It is a fact.

And everyone is a hero

I don’t know if you have heard about Senior Lieutenant Dolonin, who served in military intelligence e, v . Now this unit, unfortunately, no longer exists, it was disbanded as a result of the infamous reforms of the Russian army in 2009. But not the point. You will hardly find a mention of his feat in the video collections of the GRU special forces in Chechnya. Yes, and with films on this topic - extremely suitable, I note - a bit tight, frankly. But the man showed incredible resilience: being seriously wounded, for a long time he covered the retreat of his practically surrounded comrades with machine gun fire. Senior Lieutenant Dolonin died, but his comrades from the 12th GRU ObrSpN escaped inevitable death at the hands of Chechen fighters.

It is people like Senior Lieutenant Dolonin who are the quintessence of the whole essence of the role of special forces in the bloody war against the rebels. It was absolutely not a shame to look at the GRU special forces. They were proud of them, they were respected by their own and frankly feared by enemies. For the murder of a commando, a separate, very large bonus was relied on, plus promotion through the military ladder. But it was more likely that the soldiers of the GRU special forces brigades destroyed the enemies and carried out combat missions than fell into the bloody paws of the enemy and the cold hands of the goddesses of death.

No, of course, the special forces soldiers were dying. It cannot be that the warring parties did not lose anyone - this is the prerogative of myths, cheap action movies and all sorts of computer toys. The GRU special forces in Chechnya suffered very heavy losses, numbering in the tens, hundreds of people. There were losses due to errors in command and encirclement by enemies, from ambushes, during the performance of various tasks, including those that were considered and are considered impossible. But we are talking about the elite, the very best. Yes, there were losses, but if it were not for these soldiers, the best of the worst would have to be sent, and the losses would have been much greater. We must look at the GRU special forces as the force through which many young soldiers went through this survival school and returned home alive.

Conclusion

I repeat once again: I am convinced and believe that the role of the GRU special forces in Chechnya is practically invaluable. The military intelligence formations were the most combat-ready of all the formations of the Russian army, in principle, as they are now. That's how it should have been. And in wartime, their power, experience and hardening were very necessary to turn the tide of the war in their favor, so that the arriving guys would feel more confident under the wing of strong defenders. A war without experienced people develops into a banal throwing of meat.

It is not for nothing that the collections of videos of the GRU special forces in Chechnya are quite large - often tough guys from the special forces were at the forefront, performing a variety of functions and tasks. The broad masses of the population often do not know the names and surnames of ordinary workers of the GRU special forces brigades, but if you wish, you can always get acquainted with the list, at least of those who did not live to see the end of the war.

Military Intelligence Day is a very important holiday in the army calendar, perhaps not as famous as the day of the special forces of the Airborne Forces, but many people know about it. I would like, of course, to make this holiday more famous, but not everything depends on the Voenpro online store. We can (and do) write more about the GRU spetsnaz brigades, we can help people buy - we have a wide range of special forces goods - and we will continue to do this, because we consider it our duty to talk about deserving people.

To make the memory of service in the military intelligence unit and GRU special forces brighter, you can use your brigade, detachment, even the nominal flag of your platoon.

And in autumn and winter, in addition to the very symbolism of the formation and type of troops, you can be warmed by an excellent

In the Chechen conflict of 1994-1996, Russian special forces took part from the moment troops entered Chechnya - consolidated and separate detachments. Initially, special forces were used only for reconnaissance purposes.

Starting to work independently, the special forces began to use their own tactics, primarily ambush actions. With the deployment of hostilities in Dagestan against the armed groups of Wahhabis, Chechen and international terrorists, the special forces provided the troops with intelligence, revealing the fortifications and positions of the militants.

In Chechnya, the special forces met with their old acquaintances from Afghanistan - Arab, Pakistani and Turkish mercenaries and instructors who used methods of sabotage and terrorist war against the federal forces.

Special Forces veterans recognized many of them by their handwriting, the choice of places for ambush, the features of mining, radio exchange, avoiding persecution, and the like.

Most of the uninvited guests, among them prominent field commanders and mercenaries, fell ingloriously from bullets and grenades of the army special forces.

According to official, objective data, the GRU special forces operate in Chechnya ten times more effectively than other units. In terms of combat training and the fulfillment of assigned tasks, the GRU special forces are in first place.

The Russian special forces took an active part in the Chechen conflict. Consolidated and separate detachments acted from the brigades of the Moscow, Siberian, North Caucasian, Ural, Trans-Baikal and Far Eastern military districts.

By the spring of 1995, the detachments were withdrawn from Chechnya, with the exception of a separate special forces detachment of the North Caucasian Military District, which fought until the end of hostilities and returned to its permanent deployment point in the fall of 1996.

Unfortunately, special forces units, especially at the initial stage of hostilities, were used as reconnaissance units of units and formations of the Ground Forces.

This was a consequence of the low level of training of the personnel of the full-time reconnaissance units of these units. For the same reason, especially during the assault on Grozny, special forces soldiers were included in the assault groups. This led to unjustified losses. 1995 can be considered the most tragic year for the entire history of special forces, both the USSR and Russia.

So, at the beginning of January 1995, a group of a special forces detachment of the 22nd brigade was captured. As a result of a tragic accident in Grozny, an explosion occurred in the building where the special forces detachment of the 16th brigade of the Moscow military district was located.

However, subsequently, the special forces began to act using their inherent tactics. The most common tactic was the ambush.

Often, special-purpose groups worked with intelligence information from military counterintelligence agencies, the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. From ambushes, field commanders were destroyed, moving at night in cross-country vehicles with little security.

In May 1995, special forces detachments of the brigade of the North Caucasian Military District took part in the operation to free the hostages in Budyonnovsk.

They did not storm the hospital, but controlled the outskirts of the city, and subsequently accompanied a convoy with militants and hostages. In January 1996, one of the detachments of the brigade took part in the hostage rescue operation in the village of Pervomayskoye.

At the initial stage of the operation, a group of forty-seven people undertook a diversionary maneuver in order to pull the main forces of the militants over to themselves.

At the final stage, the detachment inflicted tangible losses on the breaking through grouping of Raduev, despite the multiple numerical superiority of the militants. For this battle, five special forces officers were awarded the title of Hero of Russia, one of them posthumously.

This period is also characterized by the fact that the 173rd separate detachment, operating in Chechnya, was again equipped with military equipment, which made it possible to increase the firepower and mobility of the special forces that ensure the activities of reconnaissance groups.

The recruitment of warring special forces units by contract servicemen began. The educational level of scouts at that time was quite high. People with higher and secondary technical education were attracted by high and regular cash payments.

Today, a Russian layman, discouraged by information about regular attacks by Chechen fighters, may get the impression that domestic special services often lose an armed confrontation with separatists. However, this is not the case. The editors of "VPK" publish an interview with Captain N (for understandable reasons, we do not indicate his last name), an officer of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This is an attempt to acquaint readers with the intellectual and moral character of the employees of the GRU special forces units who oppose extremists in the mountains of the North Caucasus.

In Chechnya, the GRU special forces can only rely on their own forces.
Photo by Peter Ilyushkin

- Currently, there are divisions of various law enforcement agencies on the territory of Chechnya: the Ministry of Defense, the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the GUIN, the Ministry of Justice: Which of them, in your opinion, are fighting illegal armed groups most effectively? And what part of all the work done is accounted for by the GRU special forces?

It depends on what is considered effective: the number of militants killed or information obtained. Personally, I liked the words of the President of the Russian Federation that up to 80% of combat missions in Chechnya today are carried out by the GRU special forces. I will not say the same, but about half of the work is done by the GRU special forces, because no one else goes to the mountains. This I know for sure. As for who works and how, we suffered more than once from the illiterate actions of the military commandant's offices: we fell under their mortar and artillery fire, although they each time had information on which area in the mountains it was impossible to shoot when ours was working in this place. group. I still don't know if they did it out of malice or not? The special forces of the Internal Troops are serious, physically well-trained guys, they perform their tasks quite well.

- What, in your opinion, is the number of militants in Chechnya today? Do they count in hundreds or thousands?

For thousands. The inhabitants of some villages, who plow during the day and take up arms at night, of course, are also militants. But I believe that at the moment there are 2-3 thousand people in the armed formations. These are those who constantly conduct military operations, and do not hide under the guise of civilians. I myself saw several bases that were designed for about 300 people, I personally observed a detachment of militants of about 150 people through binoculars. I believe that about several thousand people today are precisely in the armed formations that are constantly fighting. With the onset of winter, many of them, as a rule, descend from the mountains either to villages or to Georgia, they leave for Dagestan, because in winter you will see smoke and you need huge food supplies that need to be regularly brought up and replenished, and this is dangerous - groups ours constantly walk along some mountain paths. They also fight, climb mountains, but much less. And in the spring they come back, which is why there are so many skirmishes with them on the Georgian border in spring and summer.

- What kind of bandits in the Chechen mountains do you most often encounter: local residents or foreign mercenaries?

There are very few Chechens, that is, ideological ones who fight on their own land. Yes, there are shepherds with radio stations, and women with explosives, and even teenage children who remember well how his brother (father) was killed by "Russian dogs", and are eager to take revenge. And the cases when such a child takes a machine gun and shoots in the back are not at all isolated. But mostly mercenaries of various nationalities are now fighting there. This can be seen from intelligence information, interrogations of prisoners, examinations of corpses.

- I have heard that Shamil Basayev is hiding exclusively in the Vedeno region, so to speak, in his ancestral patrimony, since he is "ordered" to go to other regions - they say, there are his "bloodlines". But if so, why hasn't he been caught yet?

Because - I know this for sure - our weapons are literally withdrawn: "do not go there today", "do not shoot there today."

- Have you personally ever had such information that in some place there is absolutely a big leader of the militants? And if so, why not correct artillery fire at this place, for example? To then at least pieces of meat to collect?

Yes, there was such information that he was there, but I myself did not see him, which means that I did not have the right to aim artillery at this village. Because then I myself would have been imprisoned, like Comrade Budanov. He is a prime example, so I would not like to repeat his fate:

- By the way, how do your colleagues assess the proceedings against Colonel Budanov?

Everyone regrets that they made him extreme. They simply showed that "we are also fighting" with our "bad" ones. But I know exactly how much work this man did in Chechnya as the commander of his regiment.

- Is it true that our "specialists" are trying not to let any of the bandits out of the mountains alive, because they know in advance that they will be released later?

Nobody gets killed just like that, even if he is an Arab mercenary in a green headband with a beard and a grenade launcher. If it is possible to take him alive, they take him alive, interrogate him, and only then decide what to do with him next. Yes, there was a case when a "child" was walking along the street of the village with a machine gun, and when he was given the command to stop, he pointed his weapon towards the group - and was immediately shot dead. So when real danger exists, it is justified cruelty. But outright sadists who would just like to kill, I just did not meet. And their own officers will not pat anyone on the head for such a thing.

- And are the numbers of irretrievable losses that the GRU special forces in Chechnya bear in general?

The irretrievable losses of our detachment in 2000-2003 on each business trip (6 months) amounted to approximately 10% of its strength. (For 1999 - 30%.) The ratio of dead officers to the rank and file is one to five.

- In Afghanistan, the GRU special forces had their own armored vehicles, while in Chechnya your bosses are forced to beg armored personnel carriers and MTLBs from the commanders of motorized rifle units for each special operation. This, in your understanding, "minus"?

Yes, according to the state, armored vehicles are not allowed for us, and this is a "minus", because we have to work in all areas, everywhere. We get there when they give us something - on armored personnel carriers, on KamAZ trucks, on helicopters - and when they do it on foot. And, of course, our own armored vehicles would not hurt us: at least for the evacuation of the wounded. Because while you order it, while it arrives, many will simply bleed. And so at least there would be some hope.

- During the Cold War, GRU special forces brigades in various military districts were trained to work in a probable theater of operations in a certain geographical area and climatic conditions. Has this trend been preserved today, when many southern military districts no longer exist in Russia? Priority is given to work in the mountains or both in the desert and on the European plain?

Each brigade (special forces of the GRU. - V.U.) has its own direction, in which it will work in the event of large-scale hostilities. The European theater of warfare (as well as the Asian one) is also being considered. It's just that now there is Chechnya and all the brigades are working there. But our senior officers have combat experience in Afghanistan, and who is a little older - in Vietnam. After all, the GRU is military intelligence, it is always and in all places where hostilities are taking place. At the same time, our units can perform the tasks of other branches of the armed forces, as, for example, in Chechnya and the Balkans.

- And there are even successful examples of recruiting or obtaining some valuable information about military personnel of other foreign contingents?

Of course I have. This is military-technical information that concerns weapons models, new equipment, as well as those types of weapons and ammunition that are prohibited by international conventions. But for the most part, we and NATO simply observe each other's actions.

- Who serves in the GRU special forces? Are there conscripts in your unit?

Yes, almost everything.

- Doesn't the recruitment principle affect the level of skills and abilities of servicemen?

No. Influence personal qualities and training. It is the officer's fault if the soldier is not prepared.

- Is it even possible to compare the GRU special forces with the military of foreign elite units, like the British SAS, for example?

I met at international competitions for the championship of special forces forces with the guys from the SAS, the US Marine Corps, Italian, German and French paratroopers. These closed competitions are held once a year in Russia in different parts. Forced marches, exercises for physical endurance and group coordination are performed there, training tasks are solved: ambush, raid, sabotage, parachute jumps, gathering members of groups after landing, as well as survival skills are practiced, for example: who boils water faster, who faster the fire will kindle, equip the hiding place and so on. If we compare our fighters with foreign special forces, then there is a huge difference between them in the human factor and the level of technical support. We serve mainly twenty-year-old guys, and they have "muzhiks" aged 30-35 years. And our soldiers, unlike them, are not whimsical at all, because how do they live in the same Chechnya? Always in tents, always in the mud, constantly do not wash, do not shave, but still they carry out the tasks assigned. And the Americans and Western Europeans are pampered very, very dependent on the technology of support.

- What problems are experiencing today domestic special forces?

The most elementary thing is to train the fighters in shooting, regularly travel outside the unit to the shooting range, but no one gives money for fuel and lubricants, for engineering training, too. And one more thing: the latest samples of communications, optics, and weapons are coming to our unit.

- You were injured in Chechnya, but you are not going to leave the Armed Forces. Why do people like you serve in the special forces - for the sake of an idea, devotion to the GRU, to Russia?

Well, about Russia, of course, everyone has their own concept, but as for devotion to the special forces, the spirit of the special forces - they serve for this. Not for the money that the state began to pay during the second Chechen war. They serve just for themselves, the main thing is the work itself. I really enjoy my work.

- Do you really care where you can be sent next time?

I don't care where to fight. If my commanders decide something, I'm not going to discuss their orders. Whether it will be one of the CIS countries, Chechnya, Africa is absolutely unimportant. I work for the state.

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Special Forces in Chechnya

Formations and military units of special forces were on the territory of the Chechen Republic from autumn 1994 to autumn 2007. Longer than the Soviet Army in Afghanistan. And if the Soviet media wrote laconically and only positively about what was happening “across the river”, then the Russian media wrote a lot about the events in Chechnya and Dagestan, in detail and taking into account the wishes of readers. Anyone could find among the many publications exactly what interested him specifically.

But among these articles there were no stories about special forces - Heroes of the Russian Federation. And if there were, then only laconic reports from news agencies that the military intelligence officer was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. Details were not usually given. We decided to break this "tradition" and tell about these people. Unfortunately, many of them were awarded this title posthumously. And let our concise story be a tribute to these people.

ANUREYEV Ivan Valerievich

Private of the 67th Special Forces Brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

From 1987 to 1997 he studied at the Ust-Lukovsky secondary school.

He graduated from vocational school No. 87, where he received the profession of a driver.

In 1998 he was called up for military service. He served in the 67th Special Forces Brigade. Was sent to the North Caucasus.

From August 14 to October 15, 1999, as part of a combined detachment, he participated in an operation to eliminate illegal gangs in Chechnya. More than ten times participated in combat exits.

On October 15, 1999, a group of eleven people went on reconnaissance in the area of ​​the Sunzha Range (Chechnya) to clarify the location of the enemy. The group was ambushed, and an unequal battle ensued. Radio operator Anureev, who was injured as a result of a shell shock, was able to call for help on the radio and correct the actions of two groups of reinforcements. Under active enemy fire, he pulled two ensigns to a safe place. For several hours, holding back the onslaught of the enemy on one of the offensive directions, he constantly maintained contact with the Center, transmitting the situation and destroying ten militants in the process. To ensure the withdrawal of the group and the evacuation of the wounded, he voluntarily remained on cover and was the last to leave the battlefield.

Thanks to his dedication, help came to the exactly indicated place by the radio operator. The five survivors were rescued.

BOCHENKOV Mikhail Vladislavovich

Guard Captain of the 2nd Separate Special Forces Brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1990 he entered the Leningrad Suvorov Military School.

In 1992 he was enrolled in the first year of the Higher Combined Arms Command School. Kirov.

In 1996 he graduated from the Higher Combined Arms Command School. Kirov with a gold medal.

In Chechnya since August 16, 1999 - participated in military operations in Buynaksk, Urus-Martan, Kizlyar, Novolaksky, Khasavyurt.

On the night of February 15-16, 2000, four special-purpose reconnaissance groups were withdrawn to the Ur area. Tangi-Chu with the task of conducting reconnaissance in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe heights assigned to groups and preventing a sudden attack by bandit formations on units of a motorized rifle regiment on movement routes.

Carrying out the task, the group of captain M.V. Bochenkova was forced to join the battle upon detection of superior enemy forces and continue on her way to the intended height. On February 20, Captain Bochenkov's group was at an altitude of 947.0 and began to carry out a combat mission.

On February 21, 2000, a group of captain Bochenkov, having come to the aid of their comrades, entered into battle with a bandit formation. With a powerful fire strike of the enemy, the group of captain M.V. Bochenkova was defeated. None of the scouts left their combat positions, the group fought until the ammunition was completely consumed. In the last minutes of the battle, the mortally wounded captain M.V. Bochenkov covered the wounded scout with his body.

GREBENKIN Dmitry Viktorovich

In 1987 he graduated from the Moscow Suvorov Military School.

Since August 1987 - in the Armed Forces of the USSR.

In 1991 he graduated from the Tashkent Higher Combined Arms Command School named after V.I. Lenin.

He served in the special forces units of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Since August 1999, he has been directly involved in the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus region.

GRIDNEV Vadim Alekseevich

Major of the Guards, commander of a reconnaissance company of a separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1994 he graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

In 1994-1996 he took part in the battles of the first Chechen war.

In January 1995, at the head of a reconnaissance platoon, he participated in the storming of Grozny, took part in the capture of the Council of Ministers complex, and the capture of the petrochemical institute.

In September 1999, the commander of the reconnaissance company of the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, Captain Gridnev, was sent to the combat zone in Dagestan.

Since October 1999 - in the battles of the second Chechen war, he distinguished himself in the battles for Gudermes, Argun, Tsentoroi, Selmentauzen.

From September 13 to December 4, 1999, he led 35 reconnaissance exits behind enemy lines in order to reconnoitre terrorist strongholds, set up ambushes and mine the area, while showing courage and heroism. During these operations, 26 concentrations of militants were identified, 126 terrorists were destroyed by artillery and aviation fire, as well as by the actions of the reconnaissance groups themselves. In addition, he organized escort and conducted 20 columns without loss.

During the reconnaissance of one of the mountain ranges, the group of Captain Gridnev revealed a newly built powerful enemy fortified area. Having taken up all-round defense, Gridnev called in the fire of artillery and fire support helicopters. The militants managed to find the scouts, however, skillfully defending themselves in the occupied enemy positions with the support of artillery fire, the group repelled all attacks. In the midst of the battle, an infantry fighting vehicle broke through to help the scouts, but the inexperienced gunner could not hit the targets.

Vadim Gridnev, under enemy fire, made his way to the BMP, took the place of the gunner and destroyed the militants' anti-aircraft installation and the mortar mounted on the UAZ vehicle with several shots. After the destruction of the fortified area, the group broke through to their own on a captured enemy combat reconnaissance and patrol vehicle, without having been killed or wounded. The militants lost about 50 people killed from artillery fire, helicopters and in a battle with scouts.

In December 1999, Vadim Gridnev was awarded the rank of Major in the Guards.

In 2000, he was on a third business trip to the Chechen Republic for several months.

In 2007 he had the military rank of lieutenant colonel.

DERGUNOV Alexey Vasilievich

Senior lieutenant, platoon commander of the 3rd Guards Separate Special Forces Brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born on December 22, 1979 in the city of Frunze (now the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek). Subsequently, the family moved to Novosibirsk.

In 1998 he graduated from high school in Novosibirsk.

In 2002 he graduated from the Novosibirsk Military Institute.

He served as a platoon commander in the 3rd Guards Separate Special Forces Brigade.

Since October 2002, he was on a business trip in the Chechen Republic, participated in the hostilities to eliminate bandit formations.

In December 2002, the unit in which Alexey Dergunov served was transferred to the Tsumandinsky district of Dagestan. The day before, a gang of one of the most cruel field commanders, Ruslan Gelaev, was discovered there, shooting from an ambush a maneuverable group of border guards. The pursuit was carried out in hard-to-reach mountainous conditions, on a multi-meter layer of snow, with constant frost and wind. The search area was located at an altitude of three kilometers above sea level, and during the winter months these areas were not visited even by local residents.

On December 26, 2003, when crossing the rocks, a conscript sergeant subordinate to Alexei Dergunov fell into the abyss and hung on a ledge. The commander rushed to save his soldier and managed to catch him. However, when pulling out, he could not hold him and fell into the abyss along with the sergeant. Both died.

On January 1, 2004, Senior Lieutenant Alexei Vasilievich Dergunov was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation (posthumously).

DNEPROVSKY Andrey Vladimirovich

Ensign of the 42nd MCI Pacific Fleet, commander of the naval reconnaissance squad of a separate special-purpose company of the 165th Marine Regiment of the Pacific Fleet, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born on May 6, 1971 in the city of Ordzhonikidze (now Vladikavkaz) of the North Ossetian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the family of an officer.

Moving with his father to duty stations, he studied at schools in Ossetia, Transbaikalia, Mongolia.

In 1989 he was called up for military service in the Pacific Fleet. During the service, he tried to enter a military school, but did not pass the medical examination for vision. Then he entered the school of ensigns of the Pacific Fleet, which he graduated in 1991.

He served in a separate special-purpose company in the 165th Air Assault Regiment of the Pacific Fleet, commanded a naval intelligence unit.

The first Chechen war, which began in November 1994, showed that one of the main results of the long and stubborn reform of the Armed Forces was the almost complete absence of combat-ready military units. It is no coincidence that the last combat-ready units from all over Russia were sent to the war in the mountains. Motorized riflemen and paratroopers traveled to Chechnya from the polar snows, the Orenburg steppes, and the Siberian taiga. From all four Russian fleets, units of the marine corps were sent to the mountains, which, in terms of the level of combat training, stood out for the better.

In early January 1995 he arrived in Chechnya. From the first days, naval intelligence officers began their direct occupation: conducting military intelligence. They went on raids, captured prisoners, staged sabotage on the routes of movement of Dudayev's detachments, directed air and artillery strikes at them. The department of ensign Dneprovsky was one of the most successful - there were not even wounded, but luck was made up of the skill of the commander and the courage of his subordinates.

In the battle on March 21, 1995, near the village of Goyten-Yurt, the scouts revealed the enemy's fortifications at the dominant height, secretly approached them. Dneprovsky personally silently removed two sentries, and the scouts broke into the height with a fight. The Dudayevites who guarded it fought back fiercely, using numerous bunkers and caches. Suppressing one firing point after another, the scouts moved forward. Several more militants died from well-aimed fire from ensign Dneprovsky. The battle was already ending when Andrei Dneprovsky died from a bullet from Dudayev's sniper. He was the only one killed in this battle, which ended in victory.

Dolonin Vladislav Alexandrovich

Senior lieutenant, commander of the 33rd separate detachment of the 12th separate special forces brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born on February 22, 1969 in the city of Maykop, the administrative center of the Adygei Autonomous Region of the Krasnodar Territory.

After graduating from high school in 1987 - in the Armed Forces of the USSR.

In 1991 he graduated from the Vladikavkaz Military Combined Arms Command School. He served in the special forces of the Transcaucasian Military District. Then he continued to serve in the 12th separate special-purpose brigade as a group commander.

In the battle on January 29, 1995, having received the task of capturing the bridge across the Sunzha River, which was well guarded by militants, he did not attack their fortifications, but with a surprise attack knocked out militants from a nearby high-rise building. With powerful fire from the upper floors, the special forces inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and forced him to flee. The bridge was captured without loss. In this battle, Vladislav Dolonin personally destroyed two machine gun crews, one grenade launcher and several militants.

The next day, January 30, 1995, a group of senior lieutenant Dolonin knocked out militants from a building in Grozny, in the basements of which the Dudayevs herded up to 100 civilians as hostages, and then defended it from enemy attacks for several hours.

On February 5, 1995, the group received an order to release the encircled Marine Corps unit on Minutka Square in the city of Grozny. And again, the officer approached the task in an unconventional way. The special forces cleared several high-rise buildings from the enemy, having gained dominating positions over the battlefield, and with aimed fire forced the Dudaevites to flee. In this battle, Dolonin destroyed three machine-gun crews and two militant grenade launchers.

After the capture of Grozny, the Ural special forces were transferred to the Gudermes direction.

On March 3, 1995, during a reconnaissance exit to the rear of the militants, their defensive positions were revealed. However, the group was discovered by the enemy, as a result of which it was forced to engage in battle with an enemy that was superior in number and occupying an advantageous position. Vladislav Dolonin ordered to attack the enemy in order to occupy the height dominating the area. During the attack he was wounded in the leg. Having ordered the continuation of the combat mission, he remained with a machine gun to cover his subordinates from the militants pursuing them. He suppressed two firing points with fire and destroyed up to ten militants. Died in this battle. The fighters rescued by the officer captured the height and held out on it until the reinforcements arrived, repelling several attacks of the militants.

In this battle, Dolonin personally destroyed two enemy firing points and up to ten militants, but he himself, having received a mortal wound in the head, died from his wounds.

ELISTRATOV Dmitry Viktorovich

Lieutenant, group commander of a separate special forces detachment, Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1994 he graduated from the Tver Suvorov Military School.

In 1999 he graduated from the Novosibirsk Higher Combined Arms Command School.

He served in the 16th Special Forces Brigade of the Moscow Military District.

In 1999-2000, he took part in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic as a commander of a search and rescue support group. More than 30 times flew to conduct search and rescue operations, having no losses among the personnel of the group and weapons.

In December 1999, he and nine fighters from the 16th Special Forces Brigade took part in the rescue of the commander of an air regiment shot down by militants in the Argun Gorge. The helicopter, on which the special forces were flying, was pierced by a machine-gun burst. From a height of fifteen meters, the car crashed to the ground. Dmitry's machine gun jammed, and the horn popped out from the blow. He himself and another fighter with a light machine gun were the first to recover from the blow during the fall and instantly jumped out of the wrecked helicopter. And the bandits were already running down the slope of the hill towards them. Dmitry Yelistratov reloaded the machine gun. His first turn mowed down three attackers. The bandits lay down. A fight ensued. The first minutes Dmitry and the fighter fired back together. Then other special forces began to come to their senses. For about half an hour, the squad held the defense against dozens of attacking militants, until fire support helicopters arrived in time to help him. The final phase of the pilot's rescue began the next morning. Dmitry's squad on another helicopter successfully reached the ejection area. The pilot was lifted aboard with the help of a halyard - there was no way to land on the slope of the hill. While the pilot was being raised, Dmitry and his comrades fired heavily at the advancing militants, eventually shooting the entire ammunition load. The regimental commander was saved.

On September 14, 2000, for participation in the operation to rescue the downed commander of an aviation regiment, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 2004, he retired from the Armed Forces.

ERMAKOV Vitaly Yurievich

Senior lieutenant, translator of the special forces group of the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1988 he graduated from high school in Ryazan.

In 1992 he graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

He served in the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, stationed in the village of Kubinka, Moscow Region. Commanded a special forces group.

In 1994, he was appointed translator of a special forces detachment group as part of a regiment with the rank of senior lieutenant (some sources indicate the military rank of Vitaly Ermakov captain, but published documents and the Presidential Decree indicate the rank of senior lieutenant).

From December 1, 1994, as part of a reconnaissance detachment, he performed a combat mission to disarm bandit formations on the territory of the Chechen Republic.

On December 31, 1994, as part of a reconnaissance company, he took part in street battles in the city of Grozny. The group received an order to provide assistance to the 131st motorized rifle brigade surrounded in Grozny. In the course of carrying out the combat mission, it was possible to break through the encirclement of several scattered units of the brigade, withdraw them from the city and evacuate the wounded. On that bloody day, the special forces of Senior Lieutenant Ermakov saved hundreds of lives of soldiers and officers.

EROFEEV Dmitry Vladimirovich

Lieutenant, serviceman of the 691st Separate Special Forces Detachment of the 67th Separate Special Forces Brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born in 1973 in the city of Tolchikha (Novosibirsk Region).

Graduated from the Novosibirsk Military Command School.

He served in the 67th Special Forces Brigade.

On the night of January 1, 1995, the assault on Grozny began. The column, which included a group of the 691st separate detachment of special forces and soldiers of the 131st Maikop motorized rifle brigade, moved along Komsomolskaya Street to the rescue of Colonel Savinov, commander of the Maikopites, who was surrounded and wounded in the area of ​​the railway station. At the head of the column in the command vehicle were Yerofeyev's scouts. At the entrance to the square in front of the Grozny circus, the column was met with heavy fire. The staff car of the scouts caught fire and crashed into the corner of a residential building, part of the crew was shot from the nearest windows by snipers.

Dmitry Erofeev led people away from the dangerous place to the other side of the street, to the circus building. Here, in a space that was being shot through, he took his first and last battle. He fired all the cartridges at the militants from the machine gun. And the snipers decided to arrange a "hunt" for an unarmed commando. But even with his arms and legs shot through, Lieutenant Erofeev continued to fight. Then - another wound in the stomach, and the last shot - in the face.

ZARIPOV Albert Maratovich

Senior lieutenant, reconnaissance group commander, Hero of the Russian Federation.

He graduated from high school with a gold medal.

In 1985-1987 he studied at the Ryazan Radio Engineering Institute (now the Ryazan Radio Engineering Academy).

In 1987 he was called up for military service in the ranks of the Soviet Army.

From 1987 to 1988 he served in the sixth special forces battalion in Lashkargah (Afghanistan) as a senior reconnaissance machine gunner, and then as a deputy commander of a special forces group.

In 1993 he graduated from the Ryazan Airborne Command School. As a special forces officer (22nd separate special forces brigade) he took part:

in the protection and protection of the civilian population in the emergency zone of the Republic of North Ossetia, August - October 1993;

in a special operation to free Rostov schoolchildren taken hostage in December 1993;

in establishing constitutional order in Chechnya since January 1995;

in a special operation in Budennovsk in June 1995;

From January 13 to January 18, 1996, he participated in a special operation to destroy a gang of Chechen fighters under the command of Raduev, who captured the village of Pervomaiskoye in Dagestan.

From the award presentation:

“... On January 14, 1996, during the assault on the village of Pervomayskoye, Zaripov and his subordinates advanced to its northwestern outskirts and with massive fire from grenade launchers, RPO and small arms knocked out the militants from their forward positions. The actions of the federals fettered significant forces of bandits in the northwestern direction, which allowed the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to gain a foothold on the eastern borders of Pervomaisky. During the seven-hour battle, Zaripov's subordinates destroyed the BTR-80, the crew of a heavy machine gun, up to twenty terrorists.

On the night of January 17-18, Senior Lieutenant Zaripov carried out the task of preventing an attempt by militants to break through the encirclement of federal troops.

Around 04:00, Raduev's bandits, numbering up to 350 people, attempted to break through the combat positions of the federals. The main efforts of the militants were directed to the area covered by the group of officer Zaripov. Finding the terrorists in a timely manner, Zaripov gave the command to the personnel to open fire. The enemy was thrown back by fire from standard weapons.

The senior lieutenant personally suppressed two crews of heavy machine guns with aimed fire from an RPG. During the second attack, despite heavy losses, the militants managed to break through close to Zaripov's firing positions. A fierce close fight ensued. During it, the enemy began to use hand-held fragmentation and anti-tank grenades, constantly fired from underbarrel grenade launchers and RPG-7. Zaripov, having evacuated three dead servicemen and four wounded soldiers, continued to lead the battle. He personally killed seven militants with machine gun fire and hand grenades. Having received the command to leave the position, he remained to cover the withdrawal of the group. As a result of a grenade explosion, the officer was seriously wounded in the head, but continued to lead his subordinates, fully ensuring the withdrawal of personnel. From the battlefield, he was evacuated to the collection point for the wounded for first aid in an unconscious state only after the end of the battle.

IVANOV Zariko Amiranovich

Colonel of military intelligence, Hero of the Russian Federation.

In 1972 he graduated from high school.

Graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

He served in the 15th Special Forces Brigade.

On the evening of October 4, 1999, together with two GRU officers (Alexey Galkin and Vladimir Pakhomov), he was captured by militants on the section of the road between Mozdok and Bratsk. He was killed the same night.

KALININ Alexander Anatolievich

Commander of the Mining Group of the 2nd Separate Special Purpose Brigade, Captain, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Graduated from high school.

Since 1992 - in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He entered the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, but then was transferred to the Novosibirsk Higher Combined Arms Command School, from which he graduated in 1996.

He served in the 2nd Separate Special Forces Brigade. He was the commander of the special forces group, the commander of the reconnaissance group, the senior translator of the information department, then he was appointed commander of the mining group.

At the head of his group, he fought in the battles of the second Chechen war. Conducted several special operations against gangs.

In September 1999, he showed courage and heroism during the fighting in the Novolaksky district of Dagestan.

In February 2000, three groups of the 2nd Special Forces Brigade were ambushed near the village of Kharsenoi in the Shatoi region of the Chechen Republic. Mortars, multiple rocket launchers and flamethrowers fired at the scouts. A group of 25 scouts was attacked by several hundred militants. The fighters stood to the death in an unequal battle for several hours. According to the testimonies of the later captured militants and villagers, the bandits lost from 70 to 100 people only killed. Not a single scout surrendered, all 25 scouts died with the death of heroes. In impotent rage, the bandits abused the bodies of the dead soldiers. Also in that battle, another 8 fighters from another special forces unit were killed, who were trying to break through to help the surrounded scouts. Captain Kalinin fought heroically along with his subordinates and died a hero's death.

KOKINAEV Shamil Zhalilovich

Major, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born in 1971 in an Azerbaijani-Russian family in the small village of Georgievka, in the Chimkent region of Kazakhstan. Father is a carpenter. Mother is a housewife.

In 1989 he entered the tank school in the Uzbek city of Chirchik.

Actively engaged in mountain tourism - he became a master of sports.

Six months before graduating from college, he retrained as a special forces soldier. For six months he was trained in the airborne division stationed in Fergana. After graduating from college, he was assigned to a special forces brigade stationed near Chirchik.

In 1994 he was transferred to Russia.

From March to May 1995 he was in Chechnya.

From August 13, 1999 to May 2000, he took part in the counter-terrorist operation on the territory of Dagestan and Chechnya. Made 32 combat exits.

On September 2, 1999, while performing a task in the area of ​​Mount Shamiroy, a detachment under his command discovered a caravan of 15 pack animals heading to Dagestan. As a result of skillfully organized observation, a warehouse of weapons and ammunition was discovered. Having reported the coordinates of the warehouse to the command, the scouts entered into battle with superior enemy forces.

In 2000 he was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. “In the battles near Sharoi, a motorized rifle battalion was surrounded. Major Sh. Kokinaev was one of the first to come to the rescue, diverting the enemy forces, gave the unit the opportunity to regroup and get out of the encirclement. Subsequently, he directed artillery fire at the enemy positions and confidently corrected it, being under continuous enemy fire.

Conducting reconnaissance in the area of ​​Mount Godoberi, Major Sh. Kokinaev discovered a convoy of militants in 25 vehicles. After analyzing the situation, he concluded that it was impossible to call artillery, and decided to attack. He positioned the detachment, calculated the speed of the column and defeated it, competently controlling the fire of the unit. Personally destroyed 2 cars from a grenade launcher. In total, 17 vehicles and 200 militants were destroyed during the battle. The detachment did not suffer any losses.

In 2004 - lieutenant colonel, lecturer at the department of tactics of the Moscow Higher Military Command School.

KONOPELKIN Evgeniy Nikolaevich

Major, battalion commander of the 67th Separate Special Forces Brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born on February 22, 1969 in the city of Asha in the center of the Ashinsky district of the Chelyabinsk region, in the family of a metallurgical worker.

He graduated from high school and music school. He went in for sports a lot: he was the champion of the Chelyabinsk region in three sports (hockey, football, basketball).

In 1990 he graduated from the special intelligence department of the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

He served in the special forces. He commanded a platoon of special forces, was a translator for the headquarters of a separate special forces brigade.

Since 1992, he commanded a company, and then a battalion of army special forces as part of the 67th special forces brigade.

In December 1994, he was sent to Chechnya as a company commander.

In 1994-1996, he took part in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic during the first Chechen war. Three times he went on long trips to the war.

At the beginning of 1995, during the first trip at the head of a group of four fighters, he remained to cover the withdrawal of an ambushed unit. In battle, he was seriously wounded, his leg was literally crushed. However, the officer continued to fight. From a significant loss of blood, he lost consciousness right during the battle. Saved by subordinates. The foot was amputated at the hospital. Thanks to willpower and constant training, he achieved a return to duty. Refusing to work at the headquarters, he took command of his unit.

Already two months after being discharged from the hospital, Konopelkin left for Chechnya on a second business trip.

March 5, 1996 Major Konopelkin E.V. did a heroic deed. The reconnaissance detachment fought in the vicinity of Minutka Square in the city of Grozny. The detachment took up key positions in the high-rise buildings of the square, but the ammunition was running out. The enemy, sensing a decrease in the intensity of the scouts' fire, attempted to encircle the detachment. Having received an order to break through the encirclement of militants around the unit and deliver ammunition, he correctly placed his fighters and skillfully organized the attack. With sudden and well-coordinated actions, the scouts inflicted significant damage on the enemy, caused panic in his ranks, and completed their task without loss.

In 2000 he graduated from the Combined Arms Academy of the Russian Army.

KORABENKOV Anatoly Sergeevich

Lieutenant, commander of the reconnaissance group of the 24th separate special forces brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born in Ulan-Ude.

He served military service in aviation.

After returning from the army, he served in a special police unit and graduated in absentia from the history department of the Buryat State University.

Received a contract in a special forces unit.

From June 8 to September 15, 2002, he took part in the operation to destroy illegal armed formations on the territory of Chechnya.

On July 15, 2002, a reconnaissance group under his command, in the course of advancing to the ambush site, discovered three militants at an observation post. Thanks to the courage and skillful actions of the group commander, who destroyed two militants, the group completed the task without loss of personnel and returned to the base camp.

On July 28, he organized a breakthrough to a group of border guards who were surrounded. He organized the evacuation of two seriously wounded and eight dead border guards.

On July 29, while pursuing the enemy, the reconnaissance group under his command, while crossing the western bank of the Kerigo River, encountered a group of militants numbering up to ten people. Saved a reconnaissance machine gunner who fell into the river, after which he entered the battle. Having called mortar fire, he pushed the militants back with the forces of the group and organized the pursuit of the enemy.

KOSACHEV Sergei Ivanovich

Captain of the medical service, soldier of the 22nd separate special forces brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born in 1960.

Since April 1995, he participated in the hostilities on the territory of Chechnya.

On June 28, 1995, as part of a reconnaissance group, he conducted reconnaissance in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe settlement of Yarysh-Mardy.

As a result of a combat collision with the enemy, the BTR-80 was hit, two were killed and five were injured. The officer took them to a safe place, provided medical assistance, and before the main forces approached, fire from a machine gun prevented the militants' attempts to capture them.

In a night battle on January 18, 1996 (an operation to neutralize terrorists from the Raduev gang and free hostages in the village of Pervomayskoye in Dagestan), when the militants tried to break through the encirclement, he led the evacuation of the wounded. He entered into close combat, firing from a machine gun, and covered the evacuation of the wounded. The militants broke through to the command post, where the wounded were. The medic saw two militants aiming at the wounded remaining at the command post. Leaning forward, he covered his comrades, taking the first blow from the grenade launchers.

KUYANOV Oleg Viktorovich

Ensign, commander of the reconnaissance group of the 67th separate special forces brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born in 1969 in the city of Berdsk, Novosibirsk Region.

After returning from the army, he worked as a mechanic at a factory.

Then, under the contract, he entered the 67th separate special-purpose brigade.

Three business trips to Chechnya. The fourth was the last...

Newspapers then wrote about his feat as follows:

“A reconnaissance group of 12 people entered into battle with a detachment of bandits, outnumbering them by almost ten times.

The battle was extremely difficult, cruel and long. Five people were killed by heavy fire from militants. Ensign Kuyanov chose and held the position in the direction of which the largest number of militants were advancing. When it became clear that it was impossible to escape from the encirclement, he covered his comrades: he began to distract the bandits towards himself, leading them away from the group. He fired to kill with a sniper rifle.

From that battle, six returned to the base. The same number died, among them was Oleg Kuyanov. Later it was found that during the battle, firing to the last bullet, he destroyed about forty bandits. Oleg's body was not immediately found. It was all in traces of bullet wounds, as if it had been shot point-blank.”

LAIS-MESHCHERYAKOV Alexander Viktorovich

Guard private, machine gunner of the 2nd company of the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born on May 13, 1982 in the city of Gorno-Altaisk, the administrative center of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Okrug of the Altai Territory. Then the family moved to the village of Neninka, Soltonsky district, Altai Territory. There he graduated from the 9th grade of a secondary school, and later - an educational lyceum in the city of Biysk, Altai Territory.

In 2000, he was called up for military service in the airborne troops. He served in the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces.

In July 2001, as part of his unit, he arrived in the Chechen Republic to participate in hostilities during the second Chechen war. He died in action on the seventh day of his first military assignment.

On August 7, 2001, the patrol of the paratroopers was searching for a gang that, according to intelligence, was preparing an attack on a supply convoy of federal troops. In the area of ​​​​the village of Khatuni, the patrol discovered bandits who had already taken positions for an ambush. However, the collision happened suddenly, at the moment when the scouts were moving along the hollow between the high-rise buildings, on which the militants had fortified. The first shots managed to destroy the leader of the gang, but the rest opened heavy fire on the paratroopers. The watch was divided into separate groups that took the fight.

Alexander Lais-Meshcheryakov ended up with the commander of the patrol, Captain Shabalin. He covered the commander with fire when he corrected artillery fire on the militants and called for reinforcements. When there was a danger of destroying the two soldiers closest to the militants, the officer decided to break through to their rescue. But when he got up to throw, Alexander saw a militant sniper aiming at an officer from a distance of several tens of meters. Then he covered the commander with his body. An enemy bullet hit the throat, causing severe internal bleeding. However, Private Lays continued to fire at the enemy, destroying the sniper who wounded him. For a few more minutes, Alexander continued to fight until he fell unconscious from loss of blood. He died almost instantly while receiving medical attention on the battlefield. A few minutes later, the militants retreated, having lost hope of destroying the reconnaissance paratroopers and losing five people killed. On our side, Private Lays was killed and another soldier was wounded.

LELYUKH Igor Viktorovich

Captain, serviceman of the 691st Separate Special Forces Detachment of the 67th Separate Special Forces Brigade, Hero of the Russian Federation.

He graduated from high school in the village of Topchikha, Altai Territory.

Since 1985 - in the Armed Forces of the USSR.

In 1989 he graduated from the Novosibirsk Higher Military-Political Combined Arms School. He served as a deputy company commander for political affairs in the Central Group of Forces (Czechoslovakia), in the Kiev Military District.

Since 1992 - Deputy Company Commander for Educational Work in the Siberian Military District.

In 1994, he achieved a transfer to the 67th separate special forces brigade.

Since November 1994, as part of a detachment of the brigade - in the battles of the first Chechen war. Conducted several special operations against Dudayev's formations.

Since December 1994, Captain Lelyukh commanded a group that performed reconnaissance tasks for a motorized rifle brigade. Repeatedly his group went behind enemy lines.

On the afternoon of January 1, 1995, having received reports of a massive attack by militants on parts of the 131st motorized rifle brigade in the area of ​​the Grozny railway station, about heavy losses in personnel and the death of almost all of the armored vehicles of the brigade, the command ordered Captain Lelyukh with his special forces group to hastily break through the encirclement brigades. To the captain's arguments that the special forces units are intended for sabotage operations and without the support of armored vehicles they will inevitably suffer heavy losses, the answer was given - to carry out the order without discussion.

Igor Lelyukh led the fighters to carry out the order and did everything he could: he managed to find a weak spot in the positions of the Dudaevites and break through to the encircled units. But the special forces group could not hold out for a long time without armored vehicles and without support from artillery fire. Soon she was attacked by large enemy forces. Seriously wounded, Captain Lelyukh ordered his subordinates to break through to the main forces, while he himself remained to cover the retreat of his subordinates and the removal of the wounded. For about 30 minutes, he fought alone with automatic weapons and grenades against dozens of militants. He was wounded again, unconsciously captured by militants and killed.

By order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, he was forever enlisted in the lists of the 1st company of the 690th separate special forces detachment of the GRU General Staff.

NEDOBEZHKIN Vladimir Vladimirovich

Major, serviceman of the 73rd Separate Special Forces Detachment, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born in 1964.

Graduated from the Tver Suvorov Military School.

From December 28, 1994 to January 11, 1995, together with his subordinates, he carried out a task in the city of Grozny. During this period, one BM-21 Grad, one tank, three mortars, two D-30 howitzers, twelve sniper crews, about forty bandits were destroyed, valuable information was obtained.

From January 14 to January 20, 1996, he headed the task force during the operation to free the hostages and destroy the Raduev gang in the village of Pervomaiskoye, Republic of Dagestan.

With the beginning of the assault on Pervomaisky, at the head of his subordinates, Nedobezhkin secretly advanced to the outskirts of the village and from grenade launchers struck at the advanced positions of the militants. This allowed the assault groups to capture them soon. Nedobezhkin's subordinates destroyed two AGS-17 crews, several machine gunners and snipers in battle.

On the night of January 17-18, 1996, Major Nedobezhkin's group blocked the northwestern outskirts of Pervomaisky. At about four in the morning, a detachment of militants in the amount of 300-350 people went to break through the encirclement. Skillfully organizing the defense, Nedobezhkin confidently led the battle throughout its entire length. As a result of the fire defeat, the advanced group of militants breaking through (about 80 people) was dispersed and practically destroyed. During the period of the operation in Pervomaisky, the forces of the operational group inflicted the main damage on the terrorists, many times exceeding the results of the combat activities of other units and subunits, with significantly lower losses. In total, over 100 terrorists were killed during that night battle, over 40 weapons were captured, and 48 hostages were released.

NEPRYAKHIN Andrey Anatolievich

Guards lieutenant colonel, deputy battalion commander of the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Graduated from a mathematical special school. Candidate master of sports in judo.

In 1985 he graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

He served as commander of an airborne platoon and company as part of an airborne regiment stationed in the city of Fergana, Uzbek SSR, and trained specialists for combat operations as part of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan.

Since 1989 - as part of the special forces of the Airborne Forces, deputy commander of a separate special-purpose battalion.

In 1994-1996, he took part in hostilities on the territory of the Chechen Republic during the first Chechen war.

In January 1995, as part of the 218th separate battalion of the 18th special forces detachment, he stormed Grozny, including on the bloodiest first "New Year's" days of fighting.

On April 29, 1998, he was dismissed from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation "due to organizational and staff measures." He worked as a deputy head of department in the security service of a large commercial structure.

After the start of the second Chechen war and receiving news of significant losses among special forces in Dagestan and Chechnya, Andrei Nepryakhin turned to the command of the Airborne Forces with a request to return him to service and send him to the combat zone. His example was followed by several former brother-soldiers.

On November 15, 1999, by order of the commander of the Airborne Forces, he was appointed deputy commander of a special-purpose battalion in the 45th separate reconnaissance regiment of the Airborne Forces. At their own expense, officers reinstated in the army equipped their units with reconnaissance equipment.

In December 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Nepryakhin, at the head of a reconnaissance group, made three exits behind enemy lines. According to the reconnaissance data of his group, seven previously prepared fortified points of bandit formations were destroyed by artillery fire of the group. The scouts themselves destroyed four vehicles with oil products and more than thirty militants. At the same time, the group did not lose a single person.

On the night of December 24-25, 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Nepryakhin was tasked with reconnaissance of enemy forces in the area of ​​​​height 1037.0 north of the Zandak settlement, from which the approaches to Zandak and the nearest villages were shot through. According to available data, a powerful defense center was equipped there with a garrison of up to 200 people. After a long covert march, the group approached the militant base. Nepryakhin used a military trick, giving the artillery command to bombard the hill. He knew that during the shelling, the militants usually leave their positions and return to them only after two hours. Immediately after the end of the shelling, the reconnaissance group climbed the mountain almost along a steep slope, from where they were not expected to appear. On the top of the mountain, well-equipped and camouflaged positions were found, a D-30 howitzer prepared for direct fire on a section of the Mekhkeshty-Zandak road, a mounted grenade launcher and more than 50 rounds for it, other weapons, a dozen land mines installed on the outskirts of militant positions. When the militants began to return to the height, the scouts entered the battle. Lieutenant Colonel Nepryakhin collided with one of the militants, who fired an automatic burst at him point-blank. Several bullets pierced the officer's stomach. Already in the fall, he managed to destroy the militant with one shot from a TT pistol. The subordinates carried the commander to the top, bandaged him, injected him with promedol. The bandits who came to their senses at any cost tried to recapture the height. Using their numerical superiority, they again and again attacked the hill. When they managed to get close to the position of the scouts, Lieutenant Colonel Nepryakhin called artillery fire on himself on the radio. The group emerged from this continuous four-hour battle without any casualties. Andrei Nepryakhin was unconsciously evacuated to a field hospital, from there to Buynaksk, and then to Moscow, underwent several serious operations.

Currently, reserve lieutenant colonel Nepryakhin lives in the hero city of Moscow. Works in the security business.

POPOV Valery Vitalievich

Senior Lieutenant, Hero of the Russian Federation

In 1993 he graduated from high school.

In 1998 he graduated from the 2nd faculty of the Serpukhov Military Institute of the Rocket Forces.

Since 1999 - in the special forces.

Posadsky Vladislav Anatolievich

Colonel, Hero of the Russian Federation.

Born on September 11, 1964 in the village of Saltykov, Balashikha District, Moscow Region, in the family of a military man.

In 1981 he graduated from the Moscow Suvorov Military School.

In 1985 he graduated from the Ordzhonikidze Higher Combined Arms Command Double Red Banner School. Marshal of the Soviet Union A.I. Eremenko.

He served in Belarus.

In 1994, the officer was appointed company commander in a separate detachment of the 1318th special forces in Krasnodar.

On January 23, 2004, doing his duty on the territory of the Chechen Republic, Colonel Posadsky defended the hostages taken by militants. During a fierce battle, having used up ammunition, saving Chechen women and children from death, he went to the line of fire and covered them with himself. This is exactly what the official version sounds like. Everything in life was more difficult.