Organizational Change in The Russian Airborne Forces

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The airborne divisions are undoubtedly the most impressive formations within the Ru sian army. The troops of the airborne forces (VDV) are the best trained and most professional in the army. Unlike their West¬ern airborne counterparts, they are capable of fielding both armored personnel carriers and artillery assets. That affords them additional battlefield protection and firepower. VDV forces also have shown themselves-as in the 2008 war with Georgia-able to respond very quickly in crisis situations. Indeed, the airborne troops performed very creditably overall in Georgia. Such disciplined and professional airborne forces will likely form the vanguard of any interventionary operation be¬yond Russia's borders. Other than Georgia, the last time VDV forces were employed operationally abroad was in Kosovo in 1999. It was there at Pri¿tina International Air¬port that VDV troops had a potentially explosive show¬down with British paratroopers.