Russian and post-Soviet Airborne

[RH]

In the 80's we trained to fight you, sure glad it didn't come to that. It would have been a hell of a battle.

X2

[Sgt.Raven]

Nice raw mix of footage.
I need to add good background music.

[StrengthFromAbove83]

Awesome thread! Have you heard of Mikhail Ryabko, Vladimir Vasiliev, Yuri Talalaev, Sonny Puzikas?

[Sgt.Raven]

Sure!
Systema and Spetsnaz (MVD & GRU) gurus.
Never met one, but heard plenty about.
Some of Sonny's weapon techniques were adopted by Gabe Suarez (I'm sure you know it already).

[Sgt.Raven]

It was pointed to me that "9th Company" is available in its dubbed version on Netflix:
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/9t...624#height1717
I disagree with some of the comments, but check against the facts here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_9th_Company
Reviews:
http://twitchfilm.com/reviews/2010/0...any-review.php
http://www.russiablog.org/2006/03/the_9th_platoon_reviewed.php

I'm glad they finally set up English site:
http://www.9thcompanymovie-us.com/

[Sgt.Raven]

Russian Airborne Academy (Ryazan', Russia) demo.

[Sgt.Raven]

Ukrainian Airborne: continuing the best traditions of Soviet Blue Berets.

Note on history of Ukrainian Armed Forces:

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and declaration the independence in 1991, Ukraine inherited one of the most powerful Armed Forces in Europe, which equipped with nuclear weapon and modern types of typical armament and defense technology.
At that time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine included: rocket army, three armies of combined forces and two tank armies, one army corps, four Air Force armies, separate Air Defence army, the Black See fleet.
Altogether the Armed Forces of Ukraine included about 780.000 personnel, 6500 tanks, about 7000 combat armored vehicles, 1500 combat aircrafts, more than 350 ships, 1272 strategic nuclear war-heads of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and 2500 tactical nuclear missiles.

Also, the realization of nuclear weapon disarmament process of Ukraine was conducted... It was one of the most significant historical events of twenty century. It was the first time, when the state voluntary refused from nuclear weapon.
By 1 June 1996, there was no nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

Source:
http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang...ry&sub=history

49.jpg

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[Sgt.Raven]

Ukrainian Airborne: practice jump out of Mi-8MT helicopter:

[Sgt.Raven]

Ukrainian SF: high-speed jump out of An-70:

[Sgt.Raven]

Special Forces of Ukrainian Army:

[Jeff82]

Good stuff!

[AlaskaDad]

Hey if anyone is interested and has the $$$ to go, Airbornesociety is having a jump coming up in August with the Belarus Paratroopers

[old grunt]

GREAT stuff. One question..as far as old Soviet Airborne goes, what was the significance of the stripped shirt? It looks more like a Navy uniform than Army Airborne. Just wondering the history behind the uniform choices. Thanks Raven !

[Sgt.Raven]

Great question, Brother!
Striped shirt ("tel'nyashka") was introduced as part of Airborne (V.D.V.) uniform by legendary Airborne Commander General Margelov.
Concept was borrowed from the fearless Soviet Navy Infantry (later- Soviet Marines), who were called "black death" by Nazis.
When in CQB, they were removing or unbuttoning their black jackets, exposing their "signature" "tel'nyashka-s".

Airborne "tel'nyashka" has light-blue stripes, when Navy's one has ...navy-colored stripes.
It's a symbol of pride and honor; therefore, God have mercy if Paratrooper stumbles upon the "leg", who wears "V.D.V." striped shirt.

"Tel'nyashka" also has been "inherited" by the Airborne units of former Soviet Republics, now independent states.

Just found: Telnyashka.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnyashka

[ArticPara]

Raven why didn't you tell us you were a medic, did you jump in those black stilleto heels?