One way or another, it is connected with military intelligence. This holiday is celebrated in Russia annually on November 5th.

History of the Military Intelligence Day

Military Intelligence Day was established by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Igor Dmitrievich Sergeev No. 490 dated October 12, 2000.

The date November 5 was not chosen by chance: this day can rightfully be considered the birthday of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It was created in 1918, by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the RSFSR, which approved the staff of the Field Headquarters of the RVSR, the structure of which included the registration department (RUPSHKA) with the functions of coordinating the efforts of intelligence agencies of the Red Army units and preparing intelligence information for the Field Headquarters of the Red Army.

The importance of military intelligence for the armed forces is difficult to overestimate. In 2008, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, in his congratulatory speech addressed to military intelligence officers and dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the GRU of the Russian General Staff, said the following:

“Impeccable training, competence, unique experience accumulated by generations of your predecessors, and today help the department’s employees to selflessly follow their official duty, carry out the most complex and responsible tasks and firmly guard the national interests of Russia.”

The most famous intelligence officers of the USSR and Russia

Richard Sorge

Perhaps the most famous and beloved knight of the cloak and dagger. His name is shrouded in legends and a romantic flair of mythologization. Even as little Richard was a child, a family of ethnic Germans moved to Berlin; he fought for Germany in the First World War, earning the Iron Cross, 2nd class.

After the war, Sorge moved to the USSR for ideological reasons. He goes to work first in China, then in Japan under the guise of a journalist. In 1940, he became press attaché at the German Embassy in Japan. While in this position, Richard Sorge sent many confirmations to the USSR about plans to attack Germany. There is a myth that it was Sorge who announced the exact date of the start of the Great Patriotic War - June 22, but no one was able to either confirm or refute this information. In October 1941, he was arrested and sentenced to death by the Japanese, and Hitler personally asked for Sorge's extradition, but he was refused - as a result, after three years of captivity, Sorge was executed. The USSR remained silent about this whole story for exactly 20 years, but in 1964 it recognized Richard Sorge as its agent and posthumously awarded him the Hero of the Soviet Union medal.

Heinz Felfe

He headed intelligence in West Germany for a long time: in the entire history of his leadership there was not a single failure of agents there. After working briefly for the British MI6 after the end of World War II, he got a job in the German intelligence service, almost immediately starting to work for the USSR. During his work, Felfe handed over more than 15 thousand important documents and revealed the names of hundreds of CIA agents. In 1961 he was arrested, but already in 1969 the KGB exchanged him for 21 Western agents, after which Felfe lived and worked in Moscow, and later returned to Germany, where he lived the quiet life of a pensioner until his death in 2008.

Rudolf Abel

The real name of this intelligence officer, without whom rapid success in creating the atomic bomb would hardly have been possible, is William Genrikhovich Fischer. The heyday of his work occurred in the post-war period. From New York, he successfully ran the Soviet intelligence network, but after the betrayal of his assistant, Abel was arrested in 1957. In 1962, he was exchanged for the famous spy pilot Francis Powers, whose plane was shot down near Sverdlovsk. Rudolf Abel died in Moscow in 1971.

Kim Philby

An ideological communist, anathematized in his homeland - in England. The son of a lord and a distant relative of the famous Marshal Montgomery, Philby is the most senior Soviet intelligence agent. Since 1941, he worked as deputy chief of British counterintelligence and uninterruptedly supplied very important information from the Western leadership, available to him by virtue of his position, until the early 50s.

The life of a blue-blooded intelligence officer changed when in 1963 he had to flee for his life to the USSR - at that time he continued to work for MI6. The USSR refused to hand him over to the British authorities or exchange him for anyone, so Philby died peacefully in Moscow in 1988.

Valentin Vladimirovich Korabelnikov

Hero of Russia and recipient of other high awards, in 1997-2009. - Chief of the GRU.

He began his intelligence career in Germany as an assistant to the head of the Soviet military mission, then in 1980-1982. - Head of the intelligence center in Kabul during the Afghan war.

During the first Chechen war, under a pseudonym, he coordinated and headed the work of the operational group of the GRU leadership, and was seriously wounded in Chechnya. Korabelnikov played an important role in resolving the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia and personally supervised the actions of Russian intelligence officers in Kosovo.

Since 2001 - as part of the operational headquarters for managing counter-terrorism actions in the North Caucasus region. Since 2009 - retired.

Igor Dmitrievich Sergun

Hero of the Russian Federation and holder of other high awards, Colonel General. Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in 2011-2016.

In military intelligence since 1984 in various positions and ranks. In 1998, he served as military attaché in Tirana, Albania.

Sergun was directly involved in the planning and implementation of the operation to ensure the security of the referendum of the residents of Crimea, which subsequently led to the annexation of Crimea to Russia in March 2014. His actions received approval at the highest level of the country's leadership, the effectiveness of his work was repeatedly emphasized by the Minister of Defense S.K. Shoigu and the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin.

Since mid-summer 2015, GRU specialists under the leadership of Sergun, together with employees of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, have been developing Russia’s air operation in Syria.

Intelligence is one of the oldest professions, which not only has not lost its relevance, but is also being improved and modernized every year. Since ancient times, ambassadors, merchants, and residents living near the border have been used to obtain information. Among the military formations, the intelligence department existed back in the tsarist empire. However, as an independent military unit, the intelligence of the Russian Federation established itself immediately after the Great October Revolution.

Modern intelligence officers are being introduced and successfully work in the following areas:

space:
agriculture;
military industry;
economy;
policy.

Today, the Main Intelligence Directorate is the most important element of the country's strategic development.

Story

Military intelligence has a rich history: intelligence officers, from 1654 to the present day, work for the benefit of the Fatherland. Many of them gave their lives during the war. The Main Directorate of Counterintelligence "Smersh" fought against saboteurs and spies, fighting traitors to the Soviet Army.

Significant dates in the history of intelligence:

1654 - foundation of the Order of Secret Affairs (the first unit-prototype of the modern GRU);
1716 - Peter I signs legal acts relating to intelligence activities;
1810 - the Secret Chancellery was created under the military department during the reign of Emperor Alexander I;
1812 - renamed into the Special Chancellery;
1918 - formation of the intelligence department;
1941-1945 - 700 agents were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union;
1949 - formation of the intelligence department under the General Staff of the Soviet Army;
2006 - official recognition by the head of state of Scout Day.

The role of intelligence officers is invaluable: specially trained agents collect data, identify and neutralize agents of intelligence departments of foreign states.

Traditions

The celebration has a symbolic meaning, because many officers are not public people; their profession obliges them to “stay in the shadows” and not advertise their work.

According to custom, officers, cadets, senior officials, and representatives of the government of the Russian Federation gather for the celebration. Military personnel tell stories from their service and accept congratulations from family and government officials. The command organizes ceremonies for awarding certificates, medals, valuable gifts and promotions in rank.

Scout Day in Russia, based on the order of the Minister of Defense, has been officially celebrated since 2000. The President of the Russian Federation included this holiday in the list of memorable dates in 2006, which confirmed the relevance of the intelligence profession. In this article we will try to answer the question of what date Scout Day is in our country, highlight facts from the history of the holiday and the profession.

Facts from the history of the celebration date

It is no coincidence that Military Intelligence Day in Russia is celebrated on November 5th. On this November day in 1918, on the basis of Trotsky’s order, a special department called Registrupr began to function in Petrograd, coordinating the work of army intelligence. From that day on, military intelligence became a separate division of the Red Army. Under tsarist rule in Russia, reconnaissance units also existed, but they were components of other units.

In 1918, courses for training professional intelligence officers were created in Moscow. They provided training in 13 basic disciplines: geography, tactics, topography and others. Later, foreign language training was introduced at the courses.

Registrupr became the prototype of the currently operating Main Intelligence Directorate.

The oldest profession

Intelligence has been a matter of particular importance since the times of Kievan Rus. The first bodies conducting intelligence work appeared in our country in the 16th century. The role of Russian intelligence grew along with the strengthening of Russia's position in international affairs.

In 1654, the Order of Secret Affairs was created in the country, which was assigned the role of coordinator of the work of Russian intelligence. Later, Peter the Great, in his decree, laid the foundation for the legislative and legal framework for the actions of intelligence officers.

Since 1812, control over the work of Russian intelligence was carried out by the Special Chancellery. She was engaged in solving important problems: she collected the most important information, identified and destroyed enemy agents.

The important role of intelligence during the Great Patriotic War

Military intelligence made an invaluable contribution to the victory of the Russian people in the war against the Nazis. In the first six months alone from the start of this bloody war, about 10,000 Soviet intelligence officers worked in the German rear. Many of them were equipped with walkie-talkies and were able to transmit received information. The scouts contributed to the formation of the partisan movement behind the occupiers' lines.

During the war, the counterintelligence department "Smersh" was formed, whose responsibilities included an irreconcilable fight against saboteurs and spies of hostile states, as well as traitors and deserters in the Red Army. Employees of this department identified a large number of enemy agents, thwarting the enemy’s insidious plans.

During this difficult time, the foundations of Russian military intelligence traditions were laid, and a large number of qualified intelligence officers were formed who skillfully applied their experience in practice in the post-war years.

On Military Intelligence Day, our country honors the memory of heroes - intelligence officers who gave their lives for their people.

Scout qualities

Intelligence is a unique profession, and in order to master it perfectly, you must have a number of specific qualities, supported by knowledge, experience and devotion to your country.

Military Intelligence Day in Russia is a holiday of selfless, self-possessed, competent and strong people. They often risk their lives to protect the safety of the Russian population.

It is currently difficult to imagine the functioning of the state without intelligence. As long as there are organizations that pose a threat to our country, the relevance of the intelligence service will only increase.

Military intelligence today

The functions of intelligence have remained unchanged in our time. It refers to government structures that were not significantly affected by the changes that affected other areas after 1991. Intelligence officers continue to obtain military-economic, political and other important information, doing their work behind possible enemy lines. In some cases, they find themselves on the front lines of military conflicts.

The names and tasks of military intelligence officers (November 5 is Intelligence Day in Russia) are kept strictly secret. There are serious criminal penalties for disclosing this information.

One of the main units of military intelligence in our country is counterintelligence, which suppresses the work of intelligence services of other states on the territory of the Russian Federation. The employees of this unit also accept sincere congratulations on Scout Day on November 5th.

Holiday traditions

Not all representatives of this profession officially celebrate Scout Day. After all, many intelligence officers’ jobs require them to hide their activities and maintain secrecy. They do not seek to attract attention to their own person; sometimes even their relatives have no idea about the type of their activity.

Scout Day is also the professional day of our compatriots who conduct intelligence work in other countries and live for a long time away from their home country. In ordinary life, these people are absolutely not like intelligence officers.

Congratulations on Scout Day on November 5 are accepted by everyone who serves in the GRU: soldiers, officers and senior staff of the General Staff. Cadets and teaching staff of specialized educational institutions participate in the official celebrations. On this day, the command staff in a solemn atmosphere rewards military personnel who have linked their fate with intelligence, with certificates, medals and gifts, and assigns them new ranks.

According to tradition, on Scout Day, unique rituals are held to wash insignia, which will deservedly be placed on military uniforms. They are placed in a glass of champagne and the invigorating drink is drunk to the bottom.

Scout Day is celebrated by retired military personnel, their relatives and friends.

Intelligence is the main means of obtaining information for the Russian armed forces.

It makes it possible to prevent hostilities, and, if necessary, to meet the enemy in full combat readiness.

Brothers, this is our holiday - invisible, but those who find out everything and, if necessary, destroy them. Like in the song: " We visit uninvited. We don't apologize make it crumbly and dissolve. Wolf paths, enemy corpses. Reconnaissance is underway..."

Military Intelligence Day in Russia

Intelligence is the “eyes and ears” of the armed forces

Military Intelligence Day was established by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation No. 490 of October 12, 2000. At the beginning of the 19th century, the first intelligence agency was created in Russia - the Expedition of Secret Affairs under the Ministry of War.

On November 1, 1918, the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic approved the staff of the Field Headquarters (FS) of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic. On November 5, the state was introduced by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic No. 197/27.

As part of the Field Headquarters of the Red Army, by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, the Registration Directorate (Registrupr) was formed to coordinate the efforts of all intelligence agencies of the army: the Military-Strategic Department of the Operations Directorate of the All-Russian General Staff, the Intelligence Department of the Operations Department of the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs, the Intelligence Department of the Operations Directorate of the Supreme Military Council.

From this day on, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, which is the direct successor of the Register, traces its history. That is why November 5 is considered the Day of Soviet Military Intelligence, which from the very beginning, in addition to conducting strategic and operational intelligence, was charged with obtaining military-technical information and information about scientific achievements in the military field.

On November 5, Russia marks the anniversary of the creation of military intelligence. In 1918, it was on this day that the Registration Directorate was formed within the Field Headquarters of the Red Army in Petrograd by order of the Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, Leon Trotsky, to coordinate the efforts of all intelligence agencies of the army. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces dates back to this day. It was the Registration Directorate that became the prototype of the current central military intelligence management body - the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Today, the Main Intelligence Directorate is the most important component of strengthening the state. This structure combines all existing types of intelligence - strategic, intelligence, including illegal, technical, economic, space and military, better known as GRU special forces.

Military intelligence also existed in tsarist Russia as part of other military units. But as a separate unit, military intelligence of the Russian Federation dates back to November 5, 1918.

History of military intelligence

The profession of intelligence officer is considered one of the oldest on earth. Even during the times of Kievan Rus, intelligence was a matter of national importance. Ambassadors, messengers, merchants, residents of border areas and military detachments were involved in collecting data. Later, already under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, in 1654 the Order of Secret Affairs was founded - the prototype of the intelligence department of that time. In the Military Regulations of 1716, Peter I provided a legislative and legal basis for intelligence work.

During the reign of Emperor Alexander I in January 1810, on the initiative of Barclay de Tolly, the Secret Affairs Expedition was created under the Ministry of War, and in January 1812 it was renamed the Special Chancellery under the Minister of War. The special office solved the most important tasks: conducting strategic intelligence (collecting strategically important secret information abroad), operational-tactical intelligence (collecting data about enemy troops on the borders of Russia) and counterintelligence (identifying and neutralizing enemy agents). The first leaders of Russian military intelligence alternately became three people close to the Minister of War: from September 29, 1810 - adjutant colonel Colonel A.V. Voeikov, from March 19, 1812 - Colonel A.A. Zakrevsky, from January 10, 1813 - Colonel P. A. Chuykevich.

The role of military intelligence officers during the Great Patriotic War is invaluable. In the first six months of the war alone, about 10 thousand people were sent behind enemy lines, including a significant number of reconnaissance officers with radio transmitters. Military intelligence agencies created partisan detachments behind enemy lines.

The activities of Soviet intelligence during the Great Patriotic War were highly appreciated by prominent military leaders and generals, future Marshals of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov, A.M. Vasilevsky, K.K. Rokossovsky, I.S. Konev, I.Kh. Bagramyan, N. . I. Krylov, Army General S. M. Shtemenko and many others.

The Great Patriotic War was a severe test for military intelligence, and it passed it with dignity. During the war, an effective system for managing intelligence during the war, the correct organizational structure of its combat organs, and their reasonable and effective use in various types of support for combat operations were developed. Glorious combat traditions of military intelligence developed and a large detachment of highly qualified intelligence officers was created who skillfully used the rich combat experience and traditions in the post-war period. These traditions have always been and are: devotion to one’s homeland and people, loyalty to the oath, courage, perseverance to the point of self-sacrifice when performing combat missions.

All this has already become the heroic history of our people during the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War. Data obtained by military intelligence have repeatedly played a decisive role in the country's top leadership making decisions to ensure its security.

Soviet and then Russian military intelligence convincingly demonstrated their indispensability and effectiveness during crisis situations in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Chechnya and other “hot spots.”

692 military intelligence officers were awarded the titles of Heroes of the Soviet Union and Heroes of the Russian Federation for the courage and heroism shown while carrying out tasks to ensure the national security of the country.

Modern military intelligence

Military intelligence is a set of activities for obtaining and processing data about an actual or potential enemy, its military resources, combat capabilities and vulnerabilities, as well as about the theater of military operations.

Modern military intelligence is divided into tactical, strategic intelligence and counterintelligence. Tactical reconnaissance ensures combat operations of troops at the tactical level, that is, within formations, units and subunits in contact with the enemy. It reveals information about the enemy's combat capabilities (including his plans), his vulnerability and the area of operations (including terrain and weather conditions), which facilitates the optimal decision-making by the commander and his staff in planning and conducting combat operations. This data is either obtained by regular forces and means, or received from a superior. Typically, intelligence information is obtained by interviewing local residents, interrogating prisoners and defectors, intercepting information transmitted by electronic means, studying documents, equipment and weapons captured from the enemy, radar, ground, air reconnaissance and aerial photographic reconnaissance.

Strategic intelligence obtains and studies information about the capabilities, vulnerabilities and plans of foreign states. It is conducted in the interests of the highest bodies of state power and military leadership, and the data it produces is used to develop foreign policy, plan and implement national security measures in peacetime and for conducting strategic operations during war. Counterintelligence includes all active and passive measures carried out by government agencies in order to combat the intelligence services of other states. It ensures the security of classified information, equipment, facilities and persons related to state secrets. The mission of counterintelligence is to suppress subversive activities carried out both by foreign powers and by disloyal elements within the country and in the territories it controls.

Now military intelligence is part of the structure of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Intelligence is the “eyes and ears” of the armed forces, the main means of obtaining information.

Over the years of its existence, the military intelligence service did not change its official name and became subordinate to various state departments and people's commissariats.

In 1950, the GRU special forces were created.

Large emblem of the GRU General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces

Currently, military intelligence is part of the structure of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Intelligence is the “eyes and ears” of the armed forces, the main means of obtaining information.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU GSh) - the central body for managing military intelligence in the Armed Forces of Russia - solves a number of problems of a military-political, military-technical, military and military-economic nature, has the ability to conduct space reconnaissance and has quite a a wide agent network in foreign countries. GRU special forces are capable of conducting special operations on enemy territory and in combat areas. The number and structure of this service are a state secret.

By the way, in the history of the Soviet Union, the activities of counterintelligence structures occupied an important place. Thus, in April 1943, the Main Directorate of Counterintelligence “Smersh” was organized, which was entrusted with the tasks of combating espionage, sabotage, and terrorist activities of foreign intelligence services, combating betrayal and treason in units and institutions of the Red Army, desertion and self-mutilation at the fronts. calend.ru/holidays/0/0/95/ .

The effectiveness of the actions of Soviet and subsequently Russian military intelligence was convincingly demonstrated during crisis situations in the Middle East, Ethiopia, Angola, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Chechnya and other “hot spots” of the world. For heroism and personal courage shown in carrying out tasks to ensure the national security of the country, more than 700 military intelligence officers were awarded the titles Hero of the Soviet Union and Hero of the Russian Federation. Military intelligence has been and remains an important instrument of Russian military policy, reliably protecting its military-political and economic interests. Data obtained by military intelligence have repeatedly played a decisive role in the country's top leadership making decisions to ensure its security. See the military intelligence emblem on my website mosgavr.ucoz.ru/

You are crawling, scout, to glory,

You clenched the knife between your teeth.

I would congratulate you now,

You'll just have to find it!

You are not visible in a camouflage suit,

You pretended to be a bush.

I explored - and that’s enough!

Come out, let's drink a hundred grams!

You took the “tongue” bravely,

It turned out to be aspic.

So, scout, it will be with everyone,

Who will go to war against us!

On November 5, Russia celebrates the 92nd anniversary of the creation of military intelligence. On this day in 1918, as part of the Field Headquarters of the Red Army in Petrograd, by order of the Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, Leon Trotsky, a Registration Directorate was formed to coordinate the efforts of all intelligence agencies of the army. Since this day, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces has been operating. Military intelligence, of course, existed in Tsarist Russia, but not as an independent unit. Therefore, today's military intelligence officers of the Russian Federation count down their history from November 5, 1918. A little later, military intelligence and control courses were opened in Moscow, where geography, tactics, human intelligence were taught and French, German, English, Japanese, Swedish and Finnish were studied.

The Registration Directorate included two departments: intelligence (intelligence) - 39 people, and military control (counterintelligence) - 157 people. Military reconnaissance was carried out by the Intelligence Department of the Operational Directorate with a staff of 15 people. The first head of military intelligence was Semyon Ivanovich Aralov, a Bolshevik from among the intelligence veterans of the Russian army during the First World War. In addition to strategic and operational intelligence, the department carried out work to obtain military-technical information and information about advanced scientific achievements in the military field.

The Registration Directorate became the predecessor of the current central military intelligence agency - the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces. Later, Soviet military intelligence began to be referred to in official documents as the 4th Directorate of the General Staff. The designation GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) was officially adopted in June 1942. In the modern history of Russia, the holiday - Military Intelligence Day - was established by order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation No. 490 dated October 12, 2000.

Over the past time, the role of the GRU has increased many times over. Today, military intelligence is a vital component of strengthening the state. The GRU combines all existing types of intelligence - strategic, intelligence, including illegal, technical, economic, space and military, better known as GRU special forces.

The role of military intelligence officers was great during the Great Patriotic War. In the first six months of the war alone, about 10 thousand people were sent behind enemy lines, including a significant number of reconnaissance officers with radio transmitters. Military intelligence agencies created partisan detachments behind enemy lines. All this has already become the heroic history of our people.

Data obtained by military intelligence have repeatedly played a decisive role in the country's top leadership making decisions to ensure its security. Soviet and then Russian military intelligence convincingly demonstrated their indispensability and effectiveness during crisis situations in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Chechnya and other “hot spots.”

For the courage and heroism shown in carrying out tasks to ensure the country's national security, 692 military intelligence officers were awarded the titles of Heroes of the Soviet Union and Heroes of the Russian Federation.

If the General Staff, according to the figurative definition of Marshal Boris Mikhailovich Shaposhnikov, is the “brain of the army,” then Russian military intelligence is the eyes and ears of our Armed Forces, the main means of obtaining information. Defense, armed struggle is that sphere of human activity that at all times they tried to hide with a thick veil of mystery, and therefore all the information about the enemy, his plans and intentions, forces and means had to not only be received, but obtained, often at the risk of life, at the full limit of all strength and capabilities.

It can be said without a doubt that military intelligence is one of the most romantic and respected army specialties. Moreover, regardless of the specific specialization: an ordinary soldier going behind enemy lines for a “tongue” evokes no less admiration than a colonel working “undercover” in a distant country. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, it will not be possible to talk about many of these amazing people and their deeds for a long time.

GRU information is constantly in demand by the state. These are the eyes and ears not only of the Armed Forces, but also of the state in general. This is a unique mechanism, a unique intelligence service, with the help of which the country’s leadership can make verified, informed decisions. The GRU carries out its activities not only in traditional intelligence forms, not only with traditional forces and means, but also with the use of space and other special technical means and special forces.

It is necessary to continue to do everything to develop and strengthen this service, including taking into account new challenges and threats, to which the GRU responds adequately and in a timely manner. Military intelligence has been and remains the most important instrument of Russian military policy, reliably protecting its military-political and economic interests.