Vityaz (MVD)

Vityaz
Витязь
1st Special Purpose Unit of the Internal Forces "Vityaz"
1-й Oтряд специального назначения Внутренних войск «Витязь»
Vityaz unit emblem, showing an AKS-74 rifle imposed on the double-headed eagle (originally a Soviet red star)
Founded5 May 1991
Disbanded1 September 2008
Country Russia
BranchMinistry of Internal Affairs
TypeSpecial forces (spetsnaz)
RoleCounter-terrorism
Garrison/HQMoscow
EngagementsEast Prigorodny conflict
1993 Russian constitutional crisis
First Chechen War
Vityaz personnel in a GAZ-2975 at the public show Interpolitex 2012

The 1st Special Purpose Unit of the Internal Forces "Vityaz" (Russian: 1-й Oтряд специального назначения Внутренних войск «Витязь»), commonly known as Vityaz (Витязь, lit. Knight), was one of the special forces (spetsnaz) units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (MVD). Vityaz belonged to the Independent Operative Purpose Division (ODON) rapid deployment division of the Internal Troops of Russia, the gendarmerie force of the MVD, and was assigned specifically to counter-terrorism duties, with additional roles such as countering civil unrest, prison rebellions, and mutinies of regular army units.

On September 1, 2008, Vityaz was deactivated and merged with Rus into the 604th Special Operations Center, a single special forces unit of ODON. On 5 April, 2016, ODON became part of the National Guard of Russia following the dissolution of the Interior Troops and the transfer of command from the MVD. The Vityaz name and logo is now used by a private security firm.[1][2][3] However, Ветязь (Vityaz) was formed again as part of National Guard special troops unit (information is taken from FSTNG (ФСВНГ) site).

  1. ^ Охранные услуги – Частное охранное предприятие ЧОП Москва ооо чоп – Концерн безопасности Витязь (in Russian)
  2. ^ Школа телохранителей, обучение личной охраны и инкассаторов – Учебный центр «ВИТЯЗЬ» курсы телохранителей (in Russian)
  3. ^ Dead Spy's Photo Used in Target Practice