The Airborne Troops, or 'Vozdushno-desantnye voyska', literally 'Air-landing Forces', were formed in 1930 during the run-up to the Second World War. During WWII, the Airborne Troops participated in many of the defining operations to free the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe from the Nazis, and took a particularly active role in the lightning-speed operation to capture Manchuria from Imperial Japan in August 1945. Today, the Russian Airborne Troops, known as the 'blue berets' for their distinctive headgear, have a reputation for being among the 'best of the best' troops in the Russian military.
A member of the 83rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade in Ussuriysk in Russia's Far East celebrates Airborne Troops Day.
Members of the Airborne Troops participate in an exhibition performance on hand-to-hand fighting at the Alabino training ground outside Moscow.
Troops from the 106th Guards Airborne Division get airdropped from an Il-76 military transport during exercises in the Ryazan region south of Moscow.
A woman soldier in the first year of training at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School during tactical field exercises.
Troops parade on Red Square during festivities marking the 83rd anniversary of the formation of the Airborne Troops.
A member of the Airborne Troops at an aerodrome during tactical exercises in Primorye in the Russian Far East.
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© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov
Paratroopers from the 83rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade jump out of an aircraft at the Baranovsky training ground in Primorye, Russian Far East.
Women paratroopers from the Separate Communications Battalion of the Airborne Troops practice using parachute simulators at a training ground outside Moscow.
A serviceman prepares to launch an unmanned aerial vehicle during Airborne Troops exercises at the Rayevsky training ground, Krasnodar region, southern Russia.
Tactical training on throwing grenades at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.
Airborne Troops member takes part in military trials at the base of the 45th Separate Special Purpose Guards Airborne Regiment at Kubinka, outside Moscow.
Serviceman takes part in an exhibition performance on hand-to-hand fighting at the Alabino training ground outside Moscow.
Solemn ceremony of female soldiers entering their first year of training at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.
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© Sputnik / Evgeniy Biyatov
Airborne Troops landing during the 'Slavic Brotherhood-2016' drills in Serbia involving Russian, Belarusian and Serbian servicemen.
