Russian military intelligence is a closed state structure, which has not undergone fundamental changes in its design since 1991. For such special services around the world, certain emblems are used. The symbol of the intelligence of the Russian Federation is a bat, which for a long time denoted belonging not only to the GRU, but also to special units of the KGB. This emblem is still relevant, despite its recent official replacement with a display of a red carnation with grenades.
History of Appearance
The symbol of intelligence is directly related to the formation of the Soviet service, which was organized in November 1918. The Revolutionary Military Council approved the structure of a special registration department, which was the prototype of the modern GRU unit.
In reality, at that time a certain state was being created, which in a matter of years acquired the largest intelligence network in the world. At the same time, even terrorist actions in the thirties could not destabilize the Intelligence Directorate. Supervisors and subordinates used a variety of ways of working. Even the famous resident Richard Sorge refusedto return to the Soviet Union, realizing that nothing good awaits him there.
The role of military intelligence
Before telling where the symbol of intelligence came from, it is necessary to indicate the role of this organization in difficult times (the war with Germany and the preliminary and subsequent provocations accompanying it). As a result, the intelligence department managed to outplay the Abwehr, which was considered one of the most constructive and most effective units.
It is not well known that the partisans in the confrontation between Germany and the Soviet Union were also part of a well-thought-out and well-planned plan of the intelligence department. Partisan detachments were organized and concentrated behind enemy lines, which did not wear the intelligence symbol on their clothes, but were prepared for resistance and combat operations in accordance with the science and characteristics of the GRU. Spetsnaz groups allowed individual detachments to be part of the regular army, which made it possible to strengthen the troops. This was extremely important, especially given the likely nuclear threat.
About symbols
Special forces trained to infiltrate enemy territory in order to obtain information about the intentions of hostile countries and conduct other non-standard operations.
The bat has become the symbol of military intelligence. Everything is simple here - this animal is secretive in its essence, it makes little noise, but it hears everything. Often the persons of such groups did not serve directly, remaining special forces,ready at any moment to play the role of a soldier, grenade launcher or sniper. This community became more or less open after the fall of 2000. On November 5, the official Day of the military intelligence officer was introduced by order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Heraldry
The intelligence symbol "bat" began to appear on the chevrons of the respective units. The first mention of this sign is attributed by many to the special brigade of the ObrSpN. For a long period, the whole situation was unofficial. After the collapse of the USSR, the situation in the army changed, in the elite units they began to consider and accept the official symbols of intelligence.
One of the significant dates in this regard was the 75th anniversary of the formation of the GRU (1993). For this anniversary, a for certain unknown person from the intelligence officers decided to provide his colleagues with a new image of the emblem of the special services. The idea was supported by Colonel General F. Ladygin, who served as head of the GRU. The accompanying units (airborne troops and the peacekeeping contingent) did not lag behind the scouts. There is very little information about who put more effort into developing their own heraldry.
At the end of October 1993, the heads of intelligence units were able to prepare a draft report with a description and drawing applications of sleeve insignia and chevrons. At the suggestion of General Kolesnikov, the document was signed by Ladygin F. I.
Defense Minister Grachev approved it already on October 23rd. Thus, the bat became the symbol of military intelligence. Random similar choicecannot be named. This animal is one of the most secretive and mysterious creatures. It performs all its vital tasks under the cover of darkness, and secretly, which is the key to success in intelligence operations.
The bat is a symbol of military intelligence
Designed and created, the symbol was almost never worn openly by employees of the intelligence departments and their branches for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, its varieties quickly spread to the associated engineering, anti-sabotage and artillery units. Some special units used modified sleeve emblems, the essence of which was directly related to the original.
In any intelligence department of Russia, the symbol is combined with some animal or bird. Much depends on the characteristics of the branch and geographical location. No less popular after the bat was the wolf.
Red Carnation
It is believed that this symbol of intelligence, the photo of which is given below, identifies resilience, devotion, inflexibility and determination in achieving your goals. Grenada with three flames symbolizes the historical image of the grenadiers, considered the most trained members of the elite military units.
Starting from 1998, the "bat" began to displace the "red carnation". This symbol of Russia's military intelligence was proposed by the heraldry artist Y. Abaturov. The main advantages of this sign has become known to everyone since the days of Soviet filmsthe role of the flower as an identification mark. The number of petals characterizes five types of subdivisions:
- Ground reconnaissance.
- News agency.
- Air units.
- Marine diocese.
- Special group.
In addition, there is a hint of the five continents of the globe and a similar amount of senses needed for a scout. Initially, the indicated emblem flaunted on the breastplate of distinction "For Service in Military Intelligence". Then she appeared on the armlets and chevrons of GRU officers (2000).
Innovations
It is worth noting that the updated symbol of Russian military intelligence first caused a storm of emotions of misunderstanding among the officers and soldiers of the special forces. After the decisive role of reforms became clear, the excitement subsided. At the same time, the "bat" did not disappear anywhere, remaining a cult designation in memory, on tattoos and memories of the people involved. This fact directly answers the question of why the bat has, in fact, remained a symbol of Russian intelligence forever.
Interesting moments
In 2002, after all, the championship is given to the “red carnation with grenadas”. This is largely due to the fact that the special squads tried to create their own emblem, different from other analogues. As a result, all the predators, birds and herbivores that the warriors wanted to see on their patches became almost impossible to streamline.
This is despite the fact that in 1994 a special department was created in charge of the militaryheraldry and symbolism. It got to the point that the said department was not able to count the existing number and types of sleeve patches. This was the prerequisite for the creation of a single emblem of military intelligence. It is noteworthy that in the main office of the GRU of the Russian Federation, the mark with the “bat” still remains on the floor. The new designation is there too, only on the walls.
Opinion of users
As some experts note in their comments, the emblem of "Batman", or a bat, in the Soviet Union was the official identification mark of one of the special units under the conditional number "897".
A stencil sketch of a bat was applied to equipment, machinery and personal items. According to the charter, other drawings and displays with animals, birds or other symbols were unacceptable. Nevertheless, such marks were used by the legendary special forces such as "459" or "TurkVO" (scorpion, wolf, bear).
Additional information
In any case, the bat is an emblem that unites almost all retired and active intelligence officers in a kind of squad of exclusivity and unity. In this matter, the factor of discussing a specific unit of special forces, the army or the GRU is unimportant. All these people are doing their job, realizing the maximum possible results as defenders of the Motherland and justice.
Summarize
In general, it can be argued that the bat is the main element of the symbols of Russian military intelligence. Despite the emergence of "redcarnations”, the emblem has not lost its position, appearing on chevrons, flags and in related folklore. After the development of the grenade-flower composition, many "Grushniks" and special forces found the opportunity to display "mice" on their "standards". And this also applies to the leadership, including the main headquarters, the walls of which are decorated with this very emblem.
Today, the Second Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU GSH) is the most powerful military unit, the exact information about which (in terms of composition and organization) is a military secret. The renovated center of this organization has been functioning since the beginning of November 2006. The commissioning of the object was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the revolution, it is from there that the most important and useful intelligence information comes in, affecting the further operation of special units and subunits. The building is designed according to modern technologies, taking into account special safety. Only people with a special pass, controlled by various parameters, can enter most of the premises. But at the entrance there is a three-dimensional emblem of the military intelligence of the Russian Federation.
