Airborne Forces (Russia)

Airborne Forces (Russia)
Unit name	Airborne Forces
Native name	Воздушно-десантные войска
Caption	Flag of the Russian Airborne Troops
Dates	1930 – present
Country	Soviet Union (1930–1991), Russia (1991–present)
Branch	Russian Armed Forces
Type	Airborne forces
Role	Airborne assault, Special operations
Size	≈45,000 troops
Command structure	General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Garrison	Moscow
Nickname	"Desant", "Blue Berets"
Motto	"Никто, кроме нас!" ("Nobody but us!")
Colors	Blue & White
Battles	World War II, Soviet–Afghan War, First Chechen War, Second Chechen War, Russo-Georgian War, Annexation of Crimea, War in Donbas, Russian military intervention in Syria, 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Current commander	Colonel-General Mikhail Teplinsky
Notable commanders	Vasily Margelov

Airborne Forces (Russia). The Russian Airborne Forces, known as the VDV, are a separate branch of the Russian Armed Forces and a key component of the nation's rapid reaction forces. Tracing their origins to the Soviet Union, they have a storied history of high-intensity combat operations and are renowned for their elite status and distinctive blue beret. The VDV's motto, "Никто, кроме нас!" ("Nobody but us!"), encapsulates their self-perception as an indispensable and uniquely capable force.

History

The origins of the VDV date to experimental Soviet airborne units formed in the early 1930s, with the first mass parachute drop demonstrated during military exercises at Kiev in 1935. They saw extensive action during World War II, conducting numerous airborne operations on the Eastern Front (World War II), including the Vyazma airborne operation and the Dnieper airborne operation. The modern identity of the force was largely shaped by the legendary commander General Vasily Margelov, who led the VDV from 1954 to 1979 and instituted rigorous training and cultural reforms. The force participated in major Cold War conflicts, including the Soviet–Afghan War, where it engaged in fierce fighting against the Mujahideen. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the VDV was involved in conflicts such as the First Chechen War and the Second Chechen War.

Organization and structure

The VDV is directly subordinate to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, reflecting its strategic role. Its main combat formations consist of several airborne divisions and air assault brigades, including the renowned 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division and the 76th Guards Air Assault Division. The force also includes specialized units like the 45th Guards Spetsnaz Brigade and the 38th Guards Airborne Communications Regiment. Major garrisons and headquarters are located in cities like Pskov, Novorossiysk, Ulyanovsk, and Ivanovo. This structure is designed to provide a flexible and rapidly deployable instrument of power.

Equipment and capabilities

The VDV operates a mix of specialized airborne military equipment designed for air-droppability and firepower. Its primary armored vehicle is the BMD series of airborne infantry fighting vehicles, including the BMD-4 and the BTR-D. For fire support, units utilize the 2S9 Nona and 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled artillery. The force is equipped with a variety of anti-tank guided missile systems like the Kornet and MANPADS such as the Igla. Strategic and tactical mobility is provided by the Russian Aerospace Forces using aircraft like the Ilyushin Il-76 and, more recently, the Antonov An-178.

Role and deployments

The VDV's primary role is to conduct airborne assault operations deep in enemy rear areas to seize key objectives, disrupt command and control, and support conventional Ground Forces (Russia) offensives. They have been deployed in nearly every major Russian military engagement since the 1990s. Key deployments include spearheading the Russian advance during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, playing a crucial role in the Annexation of Crimea in 2014, and conducting operations in the War in Donbas. The VDV has also been deployed to Syria as part of the Russian military intervention in Syria. Since February 2022, VDV units have been heavily committed to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, suffering significant losses in operations such as the Battle of Hostomel Airport and the Battle of Kherson.

Training and personnel

VDV personnel, known as "Desantniki," undergo some of the most demanding training in the Russian Armed Forces. Initial training occurs at the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School, the force's premier officer academy. Training emphasizes parachute jumping, hand-to-hand combat (specifically Army hand-to-hand combat), survival skills, and operations in all terrain and climatic conditions. The force maintains high morale and a strong esprit de corps, partly sustained by its unique traditions and the revered status of its founder, Vasily Margelov. Conscripts and contract soldiers serve within its ranks, with the latter forming the professional backbone.

Insignia and uniform

The VDV is instantly recognizable by its distinctive blue beret and telnyashka (striped undershirt) in light blue and white stripes. The standard camouflage pattern is a digital design known as "Digital Flora," though newer patterns like "Ratnik" are also issued. The primary sleeve insignia features a golden parachute flanked by two aircraft, an emblem dating to the Soviet era. The force's Day of the Airborne Forces on August 2nd is marked by public celebrations and displays of camaraderie, often involving veterans wearing their berets and medals in cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Category:Airborne forces Category:Military units and formations of Russia Category:Military of the Soviet Union