The Guards units or Guards troops first appeared in the Russian Empire during 1917-18, representing the most elite military units of the Tsarist Empire.
Despite changes over time, this tradition has continued in both the Soviet era and the current Russian Federation.
Only units that have demonstrated exceptional performance on the battlefield are eligible for this prestigious title.
During World War II, the Soviet Armed Forces had a total of 789 regiments, divisions, armies, and warships awarded the Guards title.
In the Russian Army, the Guards units include the 1st Guards Tank Army, 2nd Guards Tank Army, 20th Guards Combined Arms Army, and 58th Guards Army.
These units are among the most powerful mechanized forces in Russia, possessing strong combat capabilities and advanced equipment.
The Guards divisions of the army include the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division, 18th Guards Motor Rifle Division, 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, 42nd Guards Motor Rifle Division, 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division, 4th Guards Tank Division, 47th Guards Tank Division, and 90th Guards Tank Division.
These divisions have performed excellently in various military missions and are the backbone of the Russian Army.
The Guards brigades include the 15th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 21st Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 25th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 27th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 35th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 36th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 37th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 38th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 57th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 64th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 70th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 74th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 136th Independent Guards Mechanized Brigade, and 138th Independent Guards Motor Rifle Brigade.
These brigades have shown outstanding performance in various combat missions and are an essential part of the army.
The Guards tank brigades include the 5th Independent Guards Tank Brigade and the 10th Independent Guards Tank Brigade.
Guards engineer brigades include the 11th Independent Guards Engineer Brigade, 12th Independent Guards Engineer Brigade, 14th Independent Guards Engineer Brigade, and 45th Guards Engineer Brigade.
Guards artillery brigades include the 9th Guards Artillery Brigade, 79th Guards Rocket Artillery Brigade, 120th Guards Artillery Brigade, 338th Guards Rocket Artillery Brigade, 385th Guards Artillery Brigade, and 439th Guards Rocket Artillery Brigade. Other Guards units in the army include the 1st Guards Missile Brigade, 20th Guards Missile Brigade, 112th Guards Missile Brigade, 212th Guards District Training Center, 467th Guards District Training Center, 9th Guards Command Brigade, 3rd Guards Special Forces Brigade, and 4th Guards Military Base.
The 4th Guards Military Base is part of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Army, stationed in South Ossetia, and has a total force of approximately 4,500 personnel.
The Guards units in the Air Force include the 3rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 14th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 23rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 120th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 159th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 98th Independent Guards Mixed Aviation Regiment, 42nd Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment, 18th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, 6950th Guards Air Base, 6980th Guards Air Base, 1st Guards Mixed Aviation Division, and 303rd Guards Mixed Aviation Division.
These units possess advanced fighters and bombers and carry out various aerial missions.
The Guards units in the Airborne Troops include the 7th Guards Airborne Division, 76th Guards Air Assault Division, 98th Guards Airborne Division, and 106th Guards Airborne Division.
These divisions are the elite forces of the Russian Airborne Troops, capable of rapid deployment and conducting operations behind enemy lines.
The Guards airborne brigades include the 11th Guards Airborne Brigade, 31st Guards Airborne Brigade, 56th Guards Air Assault Brigade, 83rd Guards Airborne Brigade, 38th Guards Independent Communications Brigade, and 45th Guards Independent Reconnaissance Brigade.
These brigades perform excellently in various airborne and air assault missions, characterized by rapid response and high mobility.
The Guards units in the Navy and Marine Corps include the 336th Independent Guards Marine Brigade, 79th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, 152nd Independent Guards Missile Brigade, 244th Independent Guards Artillery Brigade, 7th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, 22nd Independent Guards Air Defense Missile Regiment, and 69th Independent Guards Ocean Engineering Regiment.
These units have shown excellence in both maritime and coastal combat, possessing strong combat capabilities.
In the Strategic Rocket Forces, there are only two Guards units: the 27th Guards Missile Army and the 33rd Guards Missile Army.
These units are equipped with UR-100, RT-2PM, RT-2UTTH, and R-36M2 Topol intercontinental ballistic missiles, possessing strong strategic strike capabilities.
Units awarded the Guards title usually endure a casualty rate of 30% or higher in war.
This title is not only prestigious, but units honored with it receive priority in equipment upgrades, personnel replenishment, and material supply.
Therefore, in the Russian military, units awarded the Guards title are among the most elite and capable.
These Guards units not only represent the highest combat capabilities of the Russian military but also symbolize honor and tradition, serving as a crucial component of the nation's military power.
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