Special Forces veterans

The elite of the armed forces of the Soviet Union and Russia, intelligence, and special anti-terrorist units to work most effectively in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other hot spots of our country as well as abroad.

Vyacheslav Yartsev, captain of the KGB special forces. He worked in the "Alpha" from 1980 to 1991. After a combat training in Afghanistan participated in several anti-terrorist operations. Karate coach, kick-boxing and fighting. He received higher religious education, ending the St. Tikhon's University, Department of soldiers and help in one of the Moscow churches.

These photographs - part of a multimedia documentary photo project "Special Forces Veterans Countries". The project, which included veterans of portraits of three generations (the eighties - the two thousandth) of three special forces: the GRU, the KGB-FSB and the Interior Ministry, was formed as a retrospective, through which you can look at the thirty segment of our recent history.

Photographer Dmitry Belyakov performed convent artistic portraits of former secret agents from various units of the Soviet and Russian special forces have passed Afghanistan, Chechnya, and also participated in the famous anti-terrorist operations in Moscow, at the theater on Dubrovka during the Beslan events.

All the portraits were shot in a studio, with a directing light on the black-and-white film, the classic, medium format, mechanical Hasselblad camera.

YUSHKOV Sergey Colonel Interior Ministry special forces, "krapovik" Intelligence Chief of AHF №8 "Rus". Veteran of two Chechen campaigns. He had a reputation as one of the most experienced and competent commandos. I was among the very first group of officers, the awarded Vladimir Putin the Stars Gold Hero of Russia for their courage in fighting on the territory of Dagestan, namely - in the Kadar zone.

Andrey Boldyrev, Senior Lieutenant, machine gunner, "krapovik". Veteran 2nd Chechen campaign. He fought in the DOS №20, during an ambush by militants in the autumn of 2000 on the Staropromyslovskiy highway in Grozny, Andrew received a shrapnel wound in the head and lost his right eye. The officer refused to resign in the stock managed to adapt and learned to work as a machine gunner, aiming for a healthy eye.

Musienko Alexander, a colonel of the GRU special forces. He fought in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Chechnya (the 2nd campaign). In Afghanistan, for 2 years in command of a group of the 1st company of the 154th detachment of special forces of the GRU of the General Staff and was zamkomandira company 334 detachment, worked effectively during ambushes on convoys with weapons on their way from Pakistan and raids on strongholds of the Mujahideen. In Tajikistan Musienko led partisan movement "People's Front". In Chechnya and Dagestan she developed and was directly involved in the operations to eliminate the three warlords from among the most notorious. In the nearly 20 years of military life he participated in more than 150 combat missions.

Sergey Illarionov, Major Interior Ministry special forces, senior assistant chief of staff for special operations OCH number 7 "Rosich". "Krapovik", a veteran of two Chechen campaigns. I went from private to commander of the group. He participated in a large number of secret and special operations. In March 2000, during the siege of Komsomolsk, ambushed by militants Gelaev, at full strength squad killed a group of intelligence. Total lost 22 fighters. Illarionov, the then foremen group, together with four ordinary commandos voluntarily and without weapons went to the militants to negotiate the extradition of the bodies of their victims, driven by the sacred rules in force in the war - its special forces does not leave.

Pelikhov Andrew, Captain Interior Ministry special forces group OCH zamkomandira №8 "Rus". "Krapovik". He participated in a large number of secret and special operations, including in the rescue operation at the time of the Beslan events. He was awarded the Order of Courage for showing restraint and composure during a mountain raid in the eastern mountains of Chechnya in 2006, where the group while searching the forest base of the militants went to the old mine field. After the explosion in the anti-personnel mine captain Pelikhov not lose self-control and self-helped himself first aid before the arrival of the helicopter continued to direct the actions of the group, bringing friends from the dangerous area. Pelikhov captain had the right to receive an apartment out of turn, how was severely wounded in the service and combat assignment (DBA), but this was denied under false pretenses. For several months, the captain lived in a dorm room in the barracks squad, which was forced to release due to the disbandment of the most part. Now Pelikhov suing the state for an apartment.

Emyshev Valeri, Colonel of the KGB special forces. He worked in the KGB from February 1966 to 1988. As part of the first set of "Group A" in July 1974, operational cover - a mechanic at the housing maintenance office. He took part in many sovsekretnyh and special operations. Member of the Kabul operation stormed the Presidential Palace. The commander of the assault team, during the battle lost his right arm. Andropov's decision was appointed Party organizer - the party organization secretary of the group "A".

Vladimir Kvachkov, Colonel General Staff, commander of the 15th brigade of GRU, the author of a monograph on secret military and strategic issues of the theory of special operations veteran of the Afghan campaign, an active participant in the events in Tajikistan and one of those who brought to power Rakhmonov. During the civil war in Bosnia's advisory has provided assistance to the Bosnian Serbs. Consultant OGVS command in Chechnya in 1999-2000. The main suspect in the criminal case of the attempt on the life of "privatization of the author," Anatoly Chubais.

, Vladimir Titov, served in an emergency of the DRA as part of exploration companies 345 separate airborne regiment (oPDP) Airborne. During the service he has been involved in a large number of combat and reconnaissance operations in the rear of the Mujahideen units and was awarded the Medal of Honor and presented the Order of the Red Star.

Vladimir Kovtun, a colonel of the GRU special forces, a veteran of the Afghan campaign, one of the most successful officers 186 ooSPN GRU. It was his team in battle captured first samples of MANPADS "Stinger" the Mujahideen. During the service in the DRA he received two Orders of Red Star and seven gunshot wounds. Twice he presented to the Gold Star of the Hero.

Didkovskiy Yuri Colonel Interior Ministry special forces, the last commander of the legendary DOS №8 "Rus". "Krapovik", veteran of both Chechen campaigns, before which passed Karabakh and the Ossetian-Ingush conflict. He took part in many special and secret operations. During the events in the Kadar zone of Dagestan in August 1999, Didkovskiy personally led the operation to rescue the scouts Kalachovskoy brigade was surrounded by militants on a mountain Shepherd. DOS "Russia" took part in the defeat of the gang Barayev in Alkhan-Kala, the destruction of Abu Yakub - financier of Amir Khattab, who was hiding in Old Atagi with other mercenaries, dozens of other special operations. In 2008 the unit was disbanded. According to the official version, it was done "within the framework of the reform of the Interior Troops of special operations forces, with the aim of creating a center for special purposes (SPC), the Ministry of Interior" Hero ".

"Davyd," Colonel Interior Ministry special forces, commander of a separate reconnaissance battalion of commandos (ORB-242) MVD stationed permanently in Ingushetia and regularly participates in special events in the Caucasus. Veteran of two Chechen campaigns, was wounded during the BTR to undermine laid landmine. He was awarded the Order of Courage.

Vladimir Tarasenko, a veteran of the Group "A" from 1978, a member of the Kabul operation stormed Kabul Telegraph, later for several months in a group of KGB commandos guarded Afghan President Babrak Karmal. He participated in various anti-terrorist operations - Budennovsk, Pervomayskoye. He led a group of frogmen during activities related to the protection of the President of Russia Boris Yeltsin.

Lutz, Victor, Major KGB special forces. He worked in the "Alpha" from 1982 to 1992. After the combat training in Afghanistan, participated in Saratov, Sukhumi and Ufa operations to free hostages. In 1991, on the orders of the Kremlin as part of a KGB special forces group took part in the events of Vilnius - the storming of the television station of the city, during which killed an officer "Alpha". He retired in 1992 with a group of other veterans because of the reluctance to take the oath to President Boris Yeltsin.

Sergey Kozlov, reserve Major, veteran GRU, one of the most successful commanders of groups of 22 Special Forces Brigade, for 2 years Fought in the 173 oSPn GRU, who hunted for caravans with weapons for the Mujahideen in the Afghan-Pakistani border. Major Kozlov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Red Star.

Alexander Mikhailov, the colonel of the KGB-FSB special forces. He worked in the KGB from 1973, in the "Alpha" from 1982 to 2005. In 1983 passed military training in Afghanistan, during which participated in the defeat of the gang warlord Kudduz Calais "baldness". During his work in the "Alpha" has been involved in nearly all the known special operations - Sukhumi (for which he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner), Saratov, Ufa ... worked in Nagorno-Karabakh, in Vilnius '91, fought in the 1st and 2nd Chechen, took part in the storming of a hospital in Budennovsk, in August 96 th out together with the department of the besieged militants in Grozny, in 2002, took an active part in the anti-terrorist operation in Moscow on Dubrovka.

Alexander Repin, KGB colonel in the KGB - from 1974 to 1998, security officer as part of a second set of "A" Group's 1978 operational cover - "Instructor Scientific Research Institute of Physical Education" Ray. " Member of the Kabul operation stormed the Presidential Palace, was in combat multiple shrapnel wounds. While working in the Group "A" performed various delicate task - "took care" of dissidents, participated in various anti-terrorist operations - Budennovsk, Pervomayskoye.

Tregubov Vladimir Major FSB special forces. In the "Vympel" - since 1993. A veteran of two Chechen campaigns, 14 combat missions in the Caucasus. In August 1996, together with the department sustained four-day siege of the FSB hostel in the Leninsky district of Grozny, and in spite of two concussions and shrapnel wounds, managed to break out of encirclement. He participated in a large number of special and covert operations. He worked on the "Nord-Ost". Last operation - Beslan, where during the battle with the terrorists on the ground floor of the building has received three severe bullet wounds. He was awarded two Orders of Courage, other awards.

Mylarschikov Gregory, Colonel of the FSB special forces, the Interior Ministry Special Forces veteran. The special forces - since 1988, having started his career as part of OCH MIA "Hero", which has passed the exam on the right to wear the "maroon" beret. Having passed all the hot spots 90 and the first Chechnya continued to serve in the "Alpha". Cavalier three Orders of Courage. Three injured. Fought on Bald Mountain by Bamut in the 1st campaign, I worked on the Nord-Ost and Beslan ... transferred to the reserve after a wound received in Dagestan during the storming of the building with barricaded gunmen there.

Group portrait of soldiers separate reconnaissance battalion of commandos (ORB-242) MVD stationed permanently in Ingushetia and regularly participates in special events in the Caucasus.