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Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day

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Russia marks Russian Guard National Day on September 2. The history of the Russian military elite – in our photo gallery.

Russia marks Russian Guard National Day on September 2. Traditionally, the guard was the most prestigious, best trained and best equipped part of the military. As the core of the army, the Russian guard comprised armed units, often charged with securing the monarch. In the modern Russian Armed Forces, the "guard" is used an honorary designation for separate units, warships and forces.

The history of the Russian military elite – in our photo gallery.

© Sputnik / Evgeny BiyatovThe Russian Guard was established by Peter the Great in 1696-1700 on the basis of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky Regiments of his Toy Army.

Above: The crew driving a T-72B during a race at the Tank Biathlon-2014 tournament at the Alabino training range.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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The Russian Guard was established by Peter the Great in 1696-1700 on the basis of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky Regiments of his Toy Army.

Above: The crew driving a T-72B during a race at the Tank Biathlon-2014 tournament at the Alabino training range.
© Sputnik / Andrey SteninIn 1700, the regiments were officially designated as guard regiments.

Above: Personnel of the 98th Svir Airborne Squadron during drills in the Kostroma Region.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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In 1700, the regiments were officially designated as guard regiments.

Above: Personnel of the 98th Svir Airborne Squadron during drills in the Kostroma Region.
© Sputnik / Igor SamoilovSince 1721, the Russian Guard has been called the Imperial Leib-guard (German leib - "body" and Latin guardia - "security").

Above: Military helicopters during drills of the 76th Guard Airborne Assault Division.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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Since 1721, the Russian Guard has been called the Imperial Leib-guard (German leib - "body" and Latin guardia - "security").

Above: Military helicopters during drills of the 76th Guard Airborne Assault Division.
© Sputnik / Ruslan KrivobokThe Imperial Guard had its baptism by fire during the Narva Battle in 1700, when it saved the Russian Army from total defeat.

Above: On board the Varyag guard missile cruiser.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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The Imperial Guard had its baptism by fire during the Narva Battle in 1700, when it saved the Russian Army from total defeat.

Above: On board the Varyag guard missile cruiser.
© Sputnik / Alexander VilfThe Guard has participated in all major Russian military conflicts since 18th century.

Above: Airborne troops during the Tank Biathlon-2014 competition at the Alabino range.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
5/15
The Guard has participated in all major Russian military conflicts since 18th century.

Above: Airborne troops during the Tank Biathlon-2014 competition at the Alabino range.
© Sputnik / Igor SamoilovAs an elite corps of the Russian Army, the Imperial Guard was equipped with different uniforms and armory and has numerous privileges. According to the Table of Ranks code (1722), guard officers had two-rank precedence over regular army officers.

Above: A serviceman of the 76th Guard Airborne Assault Division during drills.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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As an elite corps of the Russian Army, the Imperial Guard was equipped with different uniforms and armory and has numerous privileges. According to the Table of Ranks code (1722), guard officers had two-rank precedence over regular army officers.

Above: A serviceman of the 76th Guard Airborne Assault Division during drills.
© Sputnik / Vladimir VyatkinThe guard regiment prepared officer personnel for the entire army and consisted of mostly aristocrats. Since the mid-1730s, peasants have also been drafted in the Imperial Guard.

Above: Landing of personnel and equipment during drills of the 31st Guard Airborne Unit in the Ryazan Region.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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The guard regiment prepared officer personnel for the entire army and consisted of mostly aristocrats. Since the mid-1730s, peasants have also been drafted in the Imperial Guard.

Above: Landing of personnel and equipment during drills of the 31st Guard Airborne Unit in the Ryazan Region.
© Sputnik / Anton DenisovIf a soldier was smart, well-trained with weapons and demonstrated courage under fire, he could join the ranks of the Imperial Guard.

Above: A memorial service for fallen airborne troops at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
8/15
If a soldier was smart, well-trained with weapons and demonstrated courage under fire, he could join the ranks of the Imperial Guard.

Above: A memorial service for fallen airborne troops at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow.
© Sputnik / Ildus GilyazutdinovIn 1813, in addition to the Old Guard, the Young Guard was established. Its officers had fewer privileges.

Above: A Moskit supersonic anti-ship missile fired from a missile boat during drills in the Sea of Japan.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
9/15
In 1813, in addition to the Old Guard, the Young Guard was established. Its officers had fewer privileges.

Above: A Moskit supersonic anti-ship missile fired from a missile boat during drills in the Sea of Japan.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy AnkovIn the beginning of the 20th century, the Imperial Guard comprised 12 infantry, four rifle and 13 cavalry regiments, three artillery brigades, one mining battalion, a fleet crew and several guard warships.

Above: During honor guard training on board the Varyag guard missile cruiser.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
10/15
In the beginning of the 20th century, the Imperial Guard comprised 12 infantry, four rifle and 13 cavalry regiments, three artillery brigades, one mining battalion, a fleet crew and several guard warships.

Above: During honor guard training on board the Varyag guard missile cruiser.
© Sputnik / Alexey FilippovAfter the February Revolution in 1917, and until being disbanded in spring 1918, the guard kept its initial name – the Russian Guard.

Above: A serviceman of the 22nd Guard Special Brigade during training.
Happy Birthday, Comrade! Day of Russian Imperial Guard - Sputnik International
11/15
After the February Revolution in 1917, and until being disbanded in spring 1918, the guard kept its initial name – the Russian Guard.

Above: A serviceman of the 22nd Guard Special Brigade during training.
© Sputnik / Sergey PetrosyanThe Imperial Guard was abolished along with the Russian Imperial Army after the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty was signed in 1918.

Above: The Moskva guard missile cruiser of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
12/15
The Imperial Guard was abolished along with the Russian Imperial Army after the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty was signed in 1918.

Above: The Moskva guard missile cruiser of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.
© Sputnik / Ruslan KrivobokThe Soviet Guard is believed to have been established on September 18, 1941, when the Soviet Defense Ministry renamed several rifle divisions to Guard rifle divisions for the courage of their personnel on the battlefield.

Above: Personnel of the Kremlin Regiment during a guard mounting parade on Sobornaya Square in Kremlin.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
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The Soviet Guard is believed to have been established on September 18, 1941, when the Soviet Defense Ministry renamed several rifle divisions to Guard rifle divisions for the courage of their personnel on the battlefield.

Above: Personnel of the Kremlin Regiment during a guard mounting parade on Sobornaya Square in Kremlin.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy AnkovDuring the Great Patriotic War, a number of guard titles, insignia and banners were approved for army and naval units of the Soviet military.

Above: A Su-27 jet fighter during landing in the Primorye Territory.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
14/15
During the Great Patriotic War, a number of guard titles, insignia and banners were approved for army and naval units of the Soviet military.

Above: A Su-27 jet fighter during landing in the Primorye Territory.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy AnkovIn times of peace, military units cannot be entitled "guard".

Above: A farewell ceremony for the Varyag guard missile cruiser before a distant cruise.
Elite of the Armed Forces: Russian Guard National Day - Sputnik International
15/15
In times of peace, military units cannot be entitled "guard".

Above: A farewell ceremony for the Varyag guard missile cruiser before a distant cruise.
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