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5th Separate Special-Purpose Brigade

The 5th Separate Special-Purpose Brigade [5-ya Otdelnaya Brigada Specialnogo Naznacheniya] was formed on the basis of the directive of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR No. 140547 of June 19, 1962 as part of the Belarusian Military District. The backbone of the team consisted of officers who came from the one-year courses of the Military-Diplomatic Academy and from the district's intelligence units, among whom were participants in the Great Patriotic War and local conflicts. The day of the formation of the brigade is considered January 1, 1963.

Combat coordination and training of brigade units began immediately from the moment of its formation. Within a few months, the unit was prepared to conduct hostilities in the most difficult conditions. In subsequent years, the brigade improved its organizational and staff structure, created a material base, built new facilities, and strengthened its combat capability.

On November 19, 1964, the Chief of Staff of the Belarusian Military District, Lieutenant General Nikolai Ogarkov, later Marshal of the Soviet Union, presented the brigade commander, Colonel I. Kovalevsky, the Combat Banner of the unit. In the 1970s-1980s, the brigade was a testing ground for Soviet troops. The main intelligence department of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces tested all the latest types of special forces weapons and equipment in Maryina Gorka.

In 1972, for excellent and good performance in combat and political training and in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the USSR, in accordance with the decree of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the brigade was awarded the Jubilee Badge of Honor. For eight years (1975-1982), at all tests and exercises, the compound was assessed excellently and was repeatedly recognized as one of the best in the Red Banner Belarusian Military District.

From 1967 to 1987, the brigade was annually awarded the challenge pennant of the military council of the Red Banner Belarusian Military District "Best reconnaissance unit", the commemorative Jubilee Red Banner and the challenge red banner of the military council of the district. The year 1978 became memorable for the special forces soldiers, when the brigade received the name "separate", which was a recognition of the high skill of the compound's personnel.

In December 1984, on the basis of the brigade, the 334th separate special-purpose detachment was formed, which from March 15, 1985 to May 15, 1988 took part in the hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. According to domestic and foreign experts, the detachment was one of the most efficient and effective military units of the Limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. More than 500 soldiers and officers of the detachment were awarded orders and medals for their courage and heroism during the hostilities.

Having become a member of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, the brigade has preserved all the accumulated experience and traditions of the army special forces. September 12, 2002 became a significant date in the history of the connection. It was on this day that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko, presented the commander of the 5th separate special-purpose brigade with a new Battle Banner.

On 01 January 2018 the elite unit of the Armed Forces - the 5th separate brigade of special purpose - celebrated the 55th anniversary of its formation. The military unit, which is the epicenter of the Belarusian special forces, was created on January 1, 1963. Combat training of servicemen began here from the first days. In just a few months the unit was ready for combat in any environment. Over time, the team of military professionals increased its power.

The main event of the year was the joint strategic exercise of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Russia "West - 2017", during which the personnel performed their tasks with dignity, - said the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Defense Minister Major General Oleg Belakonev. "The school year, which has already begun, will also be full of combat training activities. I am confident that stability, peace and security in our country will be reliably protected in the future. To do this, we have everything we need: a strong and stable government, the Armed Forces of our state, including special operations forces, the core of which is the glorified military unit".

Today the brigade is one of the best formations of the special operations forces of the Armed Forces. The personnel of the compound took part in all large-scale exercises of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. The most important test for the personnel of the formation in 2013 was the West-2013 joint strategic exercise of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, during which the servicemen demonstrated high professionalism and combat skills. Today, special forces soldiers, continuing the traditions of veterans, make a worthy contribution to strengthening the defense capability of the state.

Young officers and soldiers are trained by true masters of military affairs. The brigade has all the conditions for learning the art of war. Young people are given the opportunity for harmonious personal development, acquiring a civilian specialty. The compound has linguaphone classes for learning foreign languages, there is a stadium, a club, simulators, computers ... The barracks are cozy and have a decent life. Sports are held in high esteem. Soldiers and officers are engaged in taekwondo, Russian wrestling. There are arresters for taekwondo and rock climbing. Serious educational work is being carried out in the state-legal, patriotic and spiritual-moral directions. Everything is being done to ensure that the servicemen are physically and morally strong. They understand their place and role in ensuring the security of the Republic of Belarus.