Internal troops celebrate 200 anniversary

One of the most combat-ready divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia - Internal Troops - celebrate the 200 anniversary of its foundation on Sunday.

The 27 of March 1811 is considered to be the generally recognized date of birth of the Internal Troops when the military battalions responsible for "maintaining peace and tranquility in the state" were formed by decree of the emperor Alexander, ITAR-TASS reports.

The internal guard helped the authorities in the execution of laws and sentences of the courts, the capture of the robbers, the escort of criminals and the treasury, and was also involved in maintaining order at fairs, trades, folk and church festivals.

In May 1886, during the military reform of Alexander III, the military guard was transformed into a convoy. After the revolution, in 1918, it was reorganized by order of the NKVD, and a year later it was decided to unite all auxiliary troops and create internal security forces of the republic.

Subsequently, the Internal Troops were repeatedly reorganized, but their tasks remained the same - to protect the internal security of the state.

During World War II, units and units of the Internal Troops fought with the enemy in the border areas, defended Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Odessa, Stalingrad and defended the North Caucasus.
During the war years, 53 divisions and 20 brigades of the NKVD troops took part in the battles. 18 military units awarded orders or awarded honorary titles. In the fight against the enemy, thousands of troops have given their lives to 97,7.

For courage and heroism shown in the battles for the Motherland, over 100 thousands of soldiers and commanders were awarded state awards, 295 became Heroes of the Soviet Union.

After the war, the Internal Troops were additionally instructed to protect research institutions, enterprises of the nuclear industry and rocket production.

The troops protected the population from natural and man-made disasters, participated in the aftermath of accidents at the Mayak plant in 1957, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, and were among the first to be transferred to the Spitak earthquake destroyed by the earthquake.

In Nagorno-Karabakh, Fergana, North Ossetia and Ingushetia, in other “hot spots” they resolutely suppressed the clashes of the opposing sides, guarded the refugees.

From the 1994, military personnel of the Internal Troops actively restored constitutional order on the southern borders of the country, and from 1999 they were involved in counter-terrorism operations in the North Caucasus.

In the course of last year, internal troops, in cooperation with other security forces, conducted thousands of special operations over 1,8. From the beginning of 2011, in the North Caucasus, with their participation, about 200 bandit members were destroyed.

On the eve of the holiday, servicemen of the Internal Troops were congratulated by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
"You have chosen for yourself not the simplest profession - to protect peace, the lives of our citizens. This service is not for those who hide behind others' backs, but for those who are willing to risk their own lives, is ready to protect the interests of their country," the head of state said at the presentation of state awards.

He stressed that today "Internal troops ensure the territorial integrity of our state, and, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, ensure the protection of public order and oppose international terrorism."

On the eve of the 200 anniversary of the Internal Troops in Moscow on Krasnokazarmennaya Street, where their headquarters are located, the Central Museum of the Internal Troops opened after reconstruction.