Kremlin Regiment
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Kremlin Regiment (also called The Presidential Regiment, Russian: Кремлëвский полк [Kremlyovskiy polk], Президентский полк [Prezidentskiy polk]) is a unique military regiment, a part of Russian Federal Protective Service with the status of a special unit. The regiment ensures the security of the Kremlin and its treasures and guards the highest state officials. Meanwhile in accordance with a federal law of December 8, 1997 "On Immortalizing the Soviet People’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" the regiment maintains a guard of honor at the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The regiment is housed in the historic Kremlin Arsenal.
[edit] History
The regiment was founded on April 8, 1936 when, in accordance with Order No. 122 for the Moscow Kremlin garrison, the Special Purpose Battalion was renamed to the Special Purpose Regiment, however its anniversary is celebrated on May 7. When the Soviet-German War began in 1941, the units of the Kremlin Commandant's Office were made responsible for defending the Kremlin, where the State Defense Committee and Chief Military Headquarters were located. On June 25, 1941, the commandant ordered the regiment to reinforce the defenses, and the regiment set up round-the-clock guard on the Kremlin walls. In 1942-1943 four groups of snipers from the Kremlin Regiment were sent to the Western and Volkhov Fronts. The snipers killed a total of more than 1,200 German soldiers and officers. Meanwhile the regiment lost 97 men during the war¹. On February 23, 1944 the Kremlin Regiment was decorated with the Red Banner of Combat. Three battalions from the regiment took part in the Moscow Victory Parade of 1945 on Red Square. In 1952 the regiment was reorganized into the Separate Special Purpose Regiment. On May 7, 1965 it was decorated with the Order of the Red Banner for its military achievements during the Soviet-German War. On May 8, 1967 the regiment took part in the ceremony of unveiling the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden. In 1973 the unit was renamed to the Separate Red Banner Kremlin Regiment. The regiment finally came to be called its current name in accordance with a presidential decree of March 20, 1993.
On May 7, 2006 the regiment gained a new banner. It has also recently acquired special ceremonial uniforms closely modelled on those worn on parade by the infantry of the Russian Imperial Guard until 1914. These are worn in addition to modern style dress uniforms adopted during the final years of the Soviet period. Both types of uniform are in dark green with medium blue facings.
