Internal troops

Internal Troops (full name Internal Troops of the MVD), VV for Vnutrenniye voiska (Внутренние Войска) are the 250,000 plus strong uniformed para-military mobile force of the Russian Interior Ministry (MVD) and are used to deal with major disturbances and internal security matters. It also provides security for nuclear weapons stockpiles. The Internal troops are an official part of the Military of Russia and are trained as motorized rifle troops with riot or crowd control training.

History

The history of the Internal Troops can be traced back to March 27, 1811, when Emperor Alexander I merged the merged the military regional companies present in every Russian gubernia (administrative region) into Internal Watch Batallions, henceforth based exclusively in cities.

The Internal Troops as such were formed in 1919 under the NKVD and remained there with all the mergers and splitting up of Soviet internal security services and ended up under the control of the MVD.

During World War II, Internal Troops units (NKVD troops) were engaged alongside Red Army units against German and Axis troops. They participated in the defense of border regions as well as in the defense of Moscow, Leningrad, the Brest Fortress, Kiev, Odessa, Voronezh, Stalingrad, the North Caucasus and were heavily engaged during the battle of Kursk. More than 53 Internal Troops divisions and 20 Internal Troops brigades were on active duty during the war. 18 units have been awarded battle honours (military decorations or honorary titles). A total of 97700 servicemen were killed in action. More than 100'000 soldiers and officers received various awards for gallantry in the face of the enemy, 295 servicemen were awarded the "Hero of the Soviet Union" title.

Organization

The Organization of Internal Troops comprises Internal troops Commands, Formations, Military Units, Military Training Institutions and the Institutions for Internal Troops Activities, Maintenance, and Bodies of Internal Troops Administration. The largest units are the Regiment, units are located in all major cities.

Personnel

Strength has also flucuated and was about 350,000 at its height. It has always consisted of both two year conscripts and volunteers. It officers graduated from at least four schools and a Political officer school. Rumors abound of an officer shortage since 1998.

Missions

Public Order - Assist the militsiya, suppress demonstrations, revolts, riots, and strikes.
Security - Guards "key" state instutions (except for the Kremlin and the highest echelons of the government), nuclear facilities, special storage depots
Prisoner Transport - formerly guarded and operated the Gulags but now is responsible for transporting prisoners.
National Defence - conducts rear area security operations, operates POW and penal Units.
Possible counterweight to the military, especially during the Soviet era. ALthough the VV never had the organization, training or heavy weapons necessary for this mission.

Training

The Internal troops are trained as Military police with Motorized rifle and crowd control techiniques.

Uses

Up to 25,000 were deployed to Chechnya, this included specialized rapid response troops and special military detachments.

References

"Internal Troops of the MVD SSSR", by William Fuller
"Soviet Union, a County Study", by the Library of Congress