|
|
|
|
|
OmonOMON or Otryad Militsii Osobogo Naznacheniya (Russian: Отряд милиции особого назначения, ОМОН; literally: Special Purpose Detachment of Militsiya) is a generic name for the system of special units of militsiya within the Russian and, earlier, the Soviet Ministerstvo Vnutrennih Del (MVD, or Ministry of Internal Affairs). There's an OMON unit in every subnational entity of Russian Federation. The units are utilized in emergencies such as high-risk arrest, hostage crisis and riots, as well as in response to acts of terrorism. OMON have a reputation for rash action and excessive indiscriminate use of force. History The history of OMON starts in 1979, when an anti terrorist group was founded in preparation for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, to ensure that there is no hostage crisis as in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Initially dressed completely in black with black face masks, they are now recognizable on their black berets. OMON itself is the successor of the group from 1979 and was founded in 1987. The unit was initially used to control and stop demonstrations and to control and stop hooligans. They earned a bad reputation due to their extensive use of black rubber clubs. However, as a police force their aim is to protect civilians, and they cause a smaller death toll than other Russian special forces units. OMON also has a reputation of corruption, and they are known to take bribes, including protection money, to improve their salary. Since August 1999 the group also started to check the identity of anybody who seemed to be non-russian in order extract bribes. During the history of OMON the group appeared to be not always under full control of the government and often acted independently, especially during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, where the group tried to hinder the independence movement of other states. Government control is also questionable in Chechnya, where one source even claims that Russian artillery was shelling OMON members on purpose. Of course, exact information is difficult to obtain due to the classified type of information and a great number of rumours. Operations - On January 20,1991, OMON attacked Latvia's Interior Ministry during the Latvian independence movement, killing five and injuring 10. 7 OMON members were subsequently found guilty received suspended sentences by the Riga District Court.
- During the summer of 1991, a number of hit-and-run attacks on border outposts of Estonia were attributed to OMON. Some sources say that Mikhail Gorbachev had lost control of the unit.
- OMON is active in the Second Chechen War in Chechnya. The group sustained heavy losses in this conflict. One group of 47 OMON members became known as the Perm OMON, named after the town Perm. A OMON member Sergei Udachin, 37 years old, used a small camera to take snapshots of his group, and had used about half of the film before he and all but 7 members of his group were killed or captured and killed at a later time. A Chechnian fighter picked up the camera, and documented the Chechnyan side of the conflict, including killed and captured Russians. Eventually the images became public. The case was also brought to court. During the conflict the OMON were also accused of raping and murdering civilians.
- OMON members were used for counter-drug operations in central Asia
- In the beginning of September 2004 - Beslan hostage crisis
Members Males between the age of 22 and 30 who have completed a two year military service can apply to join OMON. The selection procedure for OMON is tough, as is expected for a special forces unit. The application includes medical and psychological tests, tests for speed and fitness. The initial training lasts for four months. The applicants are extensively trained in the use of different weaponry and close combat, and are also trained to follow orders at any cost. Special emphasis is put on urban combat and the entering and clearing of buildings. The training also includes legal training. The application procedure closes with a last test, where the applicant has to fight three to five trained members of OMON by hand wearing boxing gloves. Less than one in five applicants pass and are selected to join. Subsequently members of OMON are extremely fit and experts in small arms and hand-to-hand combat. The information in different sources vary between 5500, or 9000 OMON members stationed at population centers and transportation hubs around the country in the 1990s. Currently it is said that there are about 2000 members. Members receive a comparatively small salary of about 100$ per month. Most members retire at an age of approximately 45 years, and receive practically no financial aid from Russia afterwards. Due to the use of OMON members in high risk situations, especially in Chechnya, the group often loses members in combat. Weaponry The OMON group uses a wide range of weapons, including but not limited to the following list: - AK-47 assault rifles
- 9a-91 assault rifles
- AKSU assault rifles (modified AK 47 with folding stock, short barrel, altered sight and gas mechanism)
- GP 25 underbarrel grenade launcher for AK 47
- Bison machine pistols
- Kedr machine pistols
They also use armoured personnel transports and helicopters. See Also External links
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|