Men and Women of Russia's Airborne Troops - 02.08.2018, Sputnik International

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.

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A member of the 83rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade in Ussuriysk in Russia's Far East celebrates Airborne Troops Day.

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Members of the Airborne Troops participate in an exhibition performance on hand-to-hand fighting at the Alabino training ground outside Moscow.

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Troops from the 106th Guards Airborne Division get airdropped from an Il-76 military transport during exercises in the Ryazan region south of Moscow.

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A woman soldier in the first year of training at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School during tactical field exercises.

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Troops parade on Red Square during festivities marking the 83rd anniversary of the formation of the Airborne Troops.

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A member of the Airborne Troops at an aerodrome during tactical exercises in Primorye in the Russian Far East.

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Paratroopers from the 83rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade jump out of an aircraft at the Baranovsky training ground in Primorye, Russian Far East.

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Women paratroopers from the Separate Communications Battalion of the Airborne Troops practice using parachute simulators at a training ground outside Moscow.

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A serviceman prepares to launch an unmanned aerial vehicle during Airborne Troops exercises at the Rayevsky training ground, Krasnodar region, southern Russia.

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Tactical training on throwing grenades at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

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Airborne Troops member takes part in military trials at the base of the 45th Separate Special Purpose Guards Airborne Regiment at Kubinka, outside Moscow.

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Serviceman takes part in an exhibition performance on hand-to-hand fighting at the Alabino training ground outside Moscow.

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Solemn ceremony of female soldiers entering their first year of training at the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School.

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Airborne Troops landing during the 'Slavic Brotherhood-2016' drills in Serbia involving Russian, Belarusian and Serbian servicemen.