July 27 is Peacekeeping Forces Day. A rally was held in Sukhumi dedicated to the Day of Russian Peacekeeping Forces. Participation of Russian MS in international peacekeeping missions

November 25, 1973

Sarajevo, 1995-1997.

Angola 1995-1996.

Kosovo, 1999-2003.

Sudan, 2006-2012.

Day of the Russian Military Peacekeeper

The Day of the Russian Military Peacekeeper is celebrated annually on November 24. This day is intended not only to draw attention to political problems in a number of countries, but also calls on everyone who has the opportunity to take part in organizing the maintenance of a peaceful environment and preventing paramilitary disagreements that turn into full-fledged wars.

The UN peacekeeping forces, of which Russian peacekeepers are part, are formed armed contingents of individual UN members that are sent to designated regions to eliminate the emanating threat to peace. Blue helmets carry out assignments of a different nature - from standard surveillance and patrolling to blockade of territory and operational intervention.

Over time, the level of operations peacekeeping forces apparently changed. Control of the border line between the warring parties required the introduction of a number of civilian specialists into the police group. As practice shows, the nature of conflict clashes in the second half of the 21st century and the beginning of the 20th century is becoming acute and large in scale, therefore the actions of peacekeepers are invaluable.

History of establishing a memorable date

The celebration itself is considered relatively new, since it was established only in August 2016 in accordance with the state decree of the current Russian President Vladimir Putin. The dating of the day of the Russian military peacekeeper was not chosen by chance, but based on historical events. A group of peacekeepers from Soviet Union November 25, 1973 took part in the settlement international conflict in the Middle East, which broke out between two hostile parties.

One of the parties to the conflict was a number of Arab states, paramilitary radical associations, and part of the indigenous Arab population of Palestine. They were opposed by the Zionist movement from Israel.

When the disagreements went beyond the borders of Palestine and acquired a large global scale, Soviet troops, on the orders of the country's leadership, arrived in Egypt as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The main goal of this mission was to preserve peace after the Arab-Israeli war.

Participation of Russian peacekeeping forces in international conflicts

Beginning in late 1991, the Russian Federation, as the plenipotentiary successor of the Soviet Union and as a member of the permanent UN Security Council, resumed participation in peacekeeping operations. Already at that time, observers from our country were working in the territories of Israel, Syria, Egypt, Mozambique, Lebanon, and Cambodia. Russia's initiative could not have come at a better time. With the collapse of the USSR, local conflicts broke out in several states at once - in South Ossetia, Georgia, Abkhazia, and Tajikistan.

Russian peacekeepers participated in international United Nations operations as part of the Yugoslav crisis. In addition, the peacekeepers have Russian Federation The missions consist of the following:

Bosnian War, 1992-1995.

Sarajevo, 1995-1997.

Angola 1995-1996.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1995-2003.

Kosovo, 1999-2003.

Sudan, 2006-2012.

Conflict in the Central African Republic, 2008-2010.

The contribution of peacekeepers of the Russian Federation in the framework of preventing armed conflicts and containing the aggression of opposing associations is undeniably high. This allows us to judge the volume and results of the tasks performed.

Since 2016, in Armed Forces The Russian Federation celebrates a new holiday on November 25, established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation in August 2016.

The date of celebration was not chosen by chance. On this day in 1973, a group of Soviet military personnel took part in an official peacekeeping operation in the Middle East.

The UN peacekeeping forces themselves are armed contingents of UN member countries, which are formed and sent to conflict regions in order to prevent or eliminate threats to peace and security through joint actions. They, otherwise known as "blue helmets", were created as one of the instruments for maintaining peace, preventing conflicts and ensuring peace initiatives.

The involvement of military peacekeepers in peacekeeping operations in certain regions occurs in the event of unsatisfactory results from economic and political measures taken previously. The use of blue helmets can range from surveillance and patrol to military demonstration and blockade.

The nature of UN peacekeeping operations has changed and become more complex over time. From the banal, but to this day effective, control over the demarcation line warring parties, to ensure law and order in the territories taken under control and prevent humanitarian disasters. This required the inclusion of police representatives and civilian specialists in the “blue helmets” contingent, in addition to the military. This was due both to the factor of gradual acquisition and accumulation of experience by peacekeeping forces, and to the fact that the nature of the conflicts themselves in the second half of the 20th century became more and more complex.

Trying to emphasize the importance of the mission entrusted to the shoulders of peacekeepers, the UN General Assembly in 2002 established the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, celebrated annually. This memorial date, as conceived by the initiators of its establishment, calls for honoring the memory of fallen peacekeepers, as well as paying tribute to the hard work of those who have ever served or continue to serve in the ranks of UN peacekeeping forces.

It is worth noting that during the first forty years of its existence, the UN conducted about 13 peacekeeping operations involving the “blue helmets” forces. In 1973, representatives of the USSR also took part in a similar operation, when a group of Soviet officers arrived in the Middle East as military observers. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia, being the main successor to the disappeared state, continued to participate in the work of the UN, including in relation to the activities of the military peacekeeping contingent. A separate aspect of the activities of Russian military peacekeepers was their participation in ensuring peace in the CIS, as well as within the CSTO.

In 1995, the activities of Russian peacekeeping forces received a legislative basis, thanks to the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, regulating the procedure for Russia's participation in peacekeeping missions.

Russian military peacekeeping forces took part in ensuring peace in such countries and regions as Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Transnistria, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Chad, Liberia, Kosovo, Tajikistan, Angola. If we take into account the activities of military observers, who do not have the right by their status to bear arms, but are protected by diplomatic rights, then the geography of the participation of Russian military peacekeepers will be much wider.

The special status of military peacekeepers obliges them to do a lot, because the responsibility for their actions is very high. In this regard, the training of Russian military peacekeepers is carried out by the 15th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Peacekeeping Brigade of the Central Military District, specially allocated for this purpose. The decision of the President of the Russian Federation determines the number and composition allocated to the brigade to participate in peacekeeping operations.

The contribution of Russian military peacekeepers to the prevention of military conflicts, deterring aggressive actions of warring parties in different regions world is very high.

November 25 is a new, but very important professional holiday, as it is celebrated by people called upon to worthily represent Russia as a guarantor of peace anywhere on our planet.

The history of the Russian peacekeeping forces (MPF) is usually counted from November 25, 1973. On this day, the first Soviet military observers arrived in Egypt as part of the UN peacekeeping mission. The task of the mission was to maintain the truce regime in the Suez Canal area after the fifth Arab-Israeli war in the protracted Middle East conflict.

Since 1974, military observers in the USSR were trained at the Higher Officer Courses "Vystrel" in Solnechnogorsk near Moscow.

Participation of Russian MS in international peacekeeping missions

In 1991, Russia, as a successor state to the collapsed USSR and as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, continued to participate in peacekeeping operations (PKOs). At that time, Russian military observers worked in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Western Sahara, Mozambique, Cambodia, as well as on the border of Kuwait and Iraq.

With the collapse of the USSR, armed conflicts broke out in several former Soviet republics. The Russian military contingent carried out peacekeeping activities in Transnistria (since 1992), in the area of ​​the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict (1992-2008), Georgian-Abkhaz conflict(1994-2008), in Tajikistan (1993-2001).

Russian MS participated in many UN operations during the Yugoslav crisis. During 1992-1995 The 554th separate infantry battalion (Rusbat) operated as part of the UN forces. In their area of ​​​​responsibility in the East sector, the peacekeepers deployed checkpoints to separate Serbs and Croats, served as part of patrols and at observation posts. In 1995-1997, the 629th separate infantry battalion participated in UN operations in Sarajevo. In 1995-2003 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with international forces, acted airborne brigade RF MS, and in the period 1999-2003. Russian "blue helmets" as part of UN units ensured security in Kosovo.

Peacekeepers of the Russian Ministry of Defense participate in UN missions in numerous “hot spots” in Africa. In addition to military observers, the Russian Ministry of Defense provides sappers, field hospitals, special equipment, as well as aviation support: combat and transport-combat helicopters. IN different years they participated in peacekeeping operations in Angola (1995-1996), Burundi (2004-2006), Sierra Leone (2000-2005), Sudan (2006-2012), Chad and the Central African Republic (2008-2010) and other combat areas.

Where are military peacekeepers trained?

In 2005, under the auspices of the UN, the 15th separate guards motorized rifle brigade was formed, which is stationed in the village. Roshchinsky near Samara. Here, military personnel are trained to participate in peacekeeping operations. The brigade includes 3 motorized rifle battalions, a reconnaissance battalion, and support companies. The unit is equipped with light weapons (caliber up to 82 mm), modern armored personnel carriers, wheeled vehicles, reconnaissance and communications systems, and UAVs.
The brigade (military unit 90600) is staffed only by contract soldiers. To conclude a contract, you must undergo a medical examination, know foreign language, have driving experience and category B license, own firearms, serve in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for at least 5 years, undergo training at a peacekeeping center in Moscow, and pass the appropriate exams.

In modern complex world Situations often arise when there are threats of the outbreak of various armed conflicts. To limit them, extinguish them and perform various tasks, specially trained forces are needed. This is exactly what peacemakers are.

Their main task is to stand guard for the benefit of peace and stability of the entire planet Earth. International holiday in their honor is necessary to draw attention to the value of the activities carried out not only by military personnel and police, but also by civilian employees of the organization.

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Reconciling warring parties and establishing dialogue, alleviating the suffering of the population, and restoring infrastructure are the main goals of peacekeeping missions. At all times, such actions have always been in demand in many parts of the world. They are carried out faithfully and selflessly by people in blue helmets.

This is interesting:

1. 1948 The UN Security Council approved the first such mission. She was few in number. And now its ranks number more than 125 thousand people.
2. 1988 For its efforts in maintaining peace and exemplary performance of its duties, the UN Armed Forces were awarded the Nobel Prize.
3. 1992 To coordinate all planned actions and operations, it was decided to create the DPKO (Department of Peacekeeping Operations).
4. 2002 General Assembly The UN approved a resolution in which a day was officially chosen on the calendar to honor the peacekeepers.
5. 2006 A Peacebuilding Commission was established to assist countries during the transition from war to reconstruction.

Peacekeepers carry out not only operations aimed at ensuring compliance with ceasefire agreements and disengagement of warring parties, disarmament and mine clearance programs. They deliver humanitarian aid, ensure law and order during elections, protect the rights of citizens.

Russia, under the auspices of the UN, has always taken an active part in the peaceful resolution of conflict situations in many countries. Russian peacekeepers (military and observers) were sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Liberia. Our contingent in Sudan, Chad and other places fulfilled their assigned tasks with dignity.

Traditions

On the eve of the holiday, a message from the UN Secretary General is traditionally published. Conferences are held at global and state venues, where reports are heard on the tasks completed over the past year, on the achievements and losses incurred.

Wreaths are laid and speeches are made in memory of those who died in the line of duty. They are posthumously awarded a special medal, which was established in honor of the deceased UN leader. Each year, attention is focused on a specific topic.

In accordance with this, public organizations and activists organize various events. These include special television programs about operations carried out in the past, and documentaries about new heroes. The media publishes interesting materials about women peacekeepers.

IN cultural centers educational lectures are held for children, youth and older people. They are a motivation for participating in actions to collect and send food, medical and essential goods to areas with civil unrest and pogroms, ethnic and military conflicts.

November 25 is the holiday of Russian military peacekeepers. In fact, this is a professional holiday for those servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces who are ready to sacrifice themselves in order for bloodshed to end in certain countries and peace to reign. This is not pathos at all, this is objective reality. Many peacekeeping missions are proof of this.

One of these is the peacekeeping mission in the Republic of South Ossetia. This was the first mission of Russian blue helmets in the post-Soviet space. The implementation of the tasks assigned by the command began in July 1992, when the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict led to numerous casualties and the spread of the fire of war in the Caucasus.

Official Tbilisi, which at that time actively declared its own freedom of choice and the beginning of an “independent” political and economic existence, decided to deny exactly the same to South Ossetia. On January 19, 1992, a referendum was held in South Ossetia, during which the majority - 98% - of those who voted were in favor of independence from Georgia with subsequent annexation to Russia. The Georgian rulers at that moment were deciding the issue of forcefully forcing the Ossetian people to abandon their choice.

As a result, it was the participation of Russian peacekeepers in the very mission that began its work on July 14, 1992 that actually extinguished the armed conflict.

Russian military personnel carried out their task until August 2008, when, on the orders of then Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgian troops staged bloody provocation in South Ossetia. Using armored vehicles and jet systems volley fire, the Georgian army attacked not only the peacefully sleeping Tskhinvali, but also Russian peacekeepers.

In Tbilisi, this operation was positioned as the final stage of the so-called “Tiger Throw,” when the emphasis was on the support of the United States and the OSCE. But, as you know, the United States decided to stay on the sidelines, watching as hundreds of millions of dollars spent on arming, uniforms and training of “valiant Georgian warriors”, who were thrown by their president into an obvious provocation against Russia, go down the drain. But they remained on the sidelines because they did not expect that Russia would give such a powerful rebuff.

As a result of that adventure, during which the American partners literally lost their puppet Saakashvili, Russian peacekeeping forces suffered losses. The first of them were carried out at the observation post of the Russian MS, where Georgian troops were aimed at.

It should be noted that Russian peacekeepers were unable to return fire for several hours, awaiting orders. For several hours, Georgian tanks, MLRS, and snipers worked at the Russian peacekeeping base, turning it into ruins. Among the dead peacekeepers are Sergei Kononov, Alexander Shmyganovsky, Anton Marchenko, Alexander Yasko, Kuban Gimatov.

Only at 8:00 the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Armed Forces received the order to return fire. Executed the main task: Detain Georgian troops at the entrance to the capital of South Ossetia - Tskhinvali. As a result, the peacekeeping battalion, a number of whose servicemen had no experience in participating in hostilities and suffered losses, largely managed to hold back the onslaught of Georgian troops until the arrival of the main forces, which ultimately completed the task of forcing Tbilisi to peace.

Footage of Mr. Saakashvili chewing a red tie is a vivid illustration of how, thanks in part to the heroism of Russian military peacekeepers, it was possible to stop the genocide of the Ossetian population and thwart the plans of Tbilisi prepared by Western intelligence services.
Today the representatives Western countries On the agenda is also the issue of provocations against the Russian peacekeeping contingent on the banks of the Dniester. The controlled Moldovan government is once again raising the question of the “necessity” of withdrawing the Russian peacekeeping contingent from Transnistria. There is only one goal: another attempt to subjugate the population of the PMR, including through blood and violence, as was the case in the early 90s. And the Pridnestrovians themselves understand that if the Russian blue helmets leave the banks of the Dniester, the Moldovan authorities will launch an invasion using the available forces and means. The West will only push to light another fire of tension not far from the Russian borders. But, fortunately, the Russian MS are not going to leave Transnistria, realizing that only their presence today will cool many hotheads from another war.

And today, given the importance of the tasks performed by Russian peacekeepers, “ Military Review“Expresses gratitude to the Russian peacekeeping troops for the service that truly prevents the most serious bloody conflicts. After all, as practice shows, this service sometimes remains the last reliable guarantee of peace in one place or another on the planet.