Day of the Special Operations Forces

The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation released a series of photographs for Day of the Special Operation Forces, 27 February 2016. Pictured here are four special forces soldiers silhouetted against a background showing two helicopters, probably Mil Mi-24 gunships. In February 2015, President of Russia Vladimir Putin decreed that 27 February be the Day of the SOF to mark, according to Russia′s official news media, the establishment of Russian control over the building of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Simferopol, Ukraine, in February 2014.

Military Units Featured

Special Operations Forces of Russia

The Special Operations Forces of Russia, or SOF (Russian: Силы специальных операций; ССО, tr. Sily spetsial’nykh operatsii; SSO), also known as Spetsnaz, are strategic-level special forces under the Special Operations Forces Command (Russian: командование сил специальных операций; KCCO, tr. Komandovanie sil spetsial’nalnykh operatsii; KSSO, or KSO) of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Military Equipment Featured

Mil Mi-24

The Mil Mi-24 (Russian: Миль Ми-24; NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and has been operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force and its successors. The Mil Mi-24 has a maximum speed of 335 km/h (208 mph, 180 kt) and a range of 450 km (280 miles, 243 NM), with a service ceiling of 4,900 m (16,076 ft).

Photographer

Unknown. Copyright Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Used with permission.