Press release of the Special Militia Force Brigade of the Main Department of the Interior in Moscow

The first Special Militia Force Brigade (Russian acronym OMON, the equivalent of SWAT in the USA) was created in Moscow on October 23, 1987, as part of the second regiment of the local patrol and guard service. The decision to create the force came from the country's supreme leadership and was motivated by the need to step up the fight against crime and counter the illegal activity of groups and riot mobs in the changing conditions.

This decision was provoked by a massive spontaneous rally by Crimean Tatars at Vasilyevsky Spusk in Moscow. It proved a correct and timely decision, so that in 1988, the year when the force was officially named the Special Militia Force Brigade, 15 more similar brigades were created in different regions across the country. Russia currently has 119 Special Militia Force Brigades.

The Special Militia Force Brigade of the Main Department of the Interior in Moscow is a standalone special force brigade under the Ministry of the Interior. Its purpose is to ensure public order and safety during mass events, protect people's lives and assets during emergencies, natural calamities or epidemics, and prevent illegal activities of groups and riot mobs. It is involved in fighting armed criminals and criminal gangs jointly with other law enforcement services, military units of the interior troops of the MOI, agencies of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Federal Border Guard Service, and other military units and agencies committed to neutralizing the threat of terrorist, sabotage, and espionage groups.

OMON troops serve on a contract basis and are selected by competition from among individuals who are physically, professionally, and psychologically capable of performing the highly demanding tasks of the special militia force. All middle and senior officers of the force have higher or specialized postsecondary education. OMON troops undergo a far more rigorous training than most other law enforcers to enable them to successfully accomplish their objectives. They can handle rioting mobs, apprehend criminals, and are skilled in combat tactics.

The brigade consists of the brigade headquarters, operation battalions, a motorized battalion, a company of combat and specialized vehicles, specialized departments, and a logistics division.

From its inception and until February 1998 the brigade was commanded by Militia Major General Dmitry Vasilyevich Ivanov, and from February 1998 until May 2006 by Militia Major General Viacheslav Alekseyevich Kozlov. The current commander of the brigade is Militia Colonel Viacheslav Vasilyevich Khaustov.

To some extent the Brigade's professional record reflects the modern history of Russia and its capital city. Over the years the special militia force handled various tasks:

- the Brigade helped build Russian statehood by maintaining public order and safety in the tumultuous years 1991-1993;

- it has protected public order and safety during various mass events: the 60th anniversary of the WWII Victory, 1000th anniversary of the baptism of Russia, 850th anniversary of Moscow, elections of the Russian president, parliamentarians, Moscow mayor and members of the Moscow Duma, national and international sporting events, and all public political events held in Moscow;

- the special militia force has been called in on numerous occasions to prevent, localize and stop public disturbances. During public disturbances on June 9, 2002, that broke out during an outdoor broadcast of the Russia - Japan soccer match on Manezhnaya Square, Moscow OMON troops managed to restrain the riotous mob and prevent any grave consequences;

- in 1995 and 1996 more than 1,000 OMON troops participated in operations to disarm bandit gangs and restore constitutional order in the Chechen Republic, in the storm of Grozny and the military operation to liberate the towns of Argun, Geki-Chu and Roshni-Chu from militants; they also carried out special missions in the towns of Argun and Gudermes;

- from August 1999 until this day OMON troops have been involved in combat missions as part of counterterrorist operations in the North Caucasus.

Protection of key facilities, liberation of hostages, disarmament of illegal armed groups, detection and apprehension of criminals on the federal wanted list, escorting convoys of military and humanitarian cargo, defusing munitions and explosives - this is a far from complete list of missions undertaken by the special militia force. Joint commando units have carried out special missions in the republics of Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, and in numerous settlements in the Chechen Republic. In August and September 2000, Brigade troops joined other special units of the uniformed services in special operations carried out in mountainous areas of the Chechen Republic. This was the first case of OMON troops carrying out missions at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters.

Brigade troops regularly take part in joint operations with other militia units, assisting them in crackdowns and arrests of offenders and criminals.

Since the Brigade was created, 33 of its troops have been killed in the line of duty, 12 of whom perished during counterterrorist operations in the Chechen Republic. Another 277 sustained injuries.

Throughout the Brigade's history, 1,893 of its officers received government awards for courage and a high level of professionalism.

Three officers were awarded the title of Hero of Russia - the highest national award, two of them posthumously.

Public and Media Relations Department,

Special Militia Force Brigade of the Main Department of Internal Affairs in Moscow

Print version