Russian military intelligence is a closed state structure, which in its design has not undergone dramatic changes since 1991. For such special services around the world, certain emblems are used. The symbol of the Russian intelligence is a bat, which for a long time meant belonging not only to the GRU, but also to special units of the KGB. This emblem has remained relevant up to now, despite its recent official replacement by displaying red carnations with grades.
Appearance story
The intelligence symbol 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 office, 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 agent network in the world. Moreover, even terrorist acts in the thirties could not destabilize the Intelligence Agency. Superiors and subordinates used a variety of ways to work. Even the famous resident Richard Sorge refused to return to the Soviet Union, realizing that there was nothing good waiting for him.
The role of military intelligence
Before telling where the symbol of intelligence came from, it is necessary to outline the role of this organization in difficult times (the war with Germany and the accompanying preliminary and subsequent provocations). As a result, the intelligence department managed to replay the abwehr, which was considered one of the most constructive and most effective units.
The fact that the partisans in the confrontation between Germany and the Soviet Union was also part of a well-thought-out and well-planned plan of the intelligence department is not very well known. Partisan detachments, which did not bear the intelligence symbol on their clothes, were organized and concentrated in the rear of the enemy, but were prepared to resist and conduct military operations in accordance with the science and characteristics of the GRU. Special forces groups allowed individual units 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 symbolism
Special forces trained to penetrate enemy territory in order to obtain information about the intentions of hostile countries and other non-standard operations.
The bat became a symbol of military intelligence. Everything is simple here - this animal is secretive in nature, makes little noise, but hears everything. Often the faces 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 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. Many attribute the first mention of this sign 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 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 genuinely unknown person from the intelligence staff decided to provide their colleagues with a new image of the emblem of the special services. The idea was supported by Colonel General F. Ladygin, who served as chief of the GRU. Related units (airborne troops and peacekeeping contingent) did not lag behind the scouts. There is very little information about who made the most efforts to develop his 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 annexes of sleeve insignia and chevrons. With the filing of General Kolesnikov, the document was signed by Ladygin F.I.
Defense Minister Grachev approved it on October 23. Thus, the bat became a symbol of military intelligence. Such a choice cannot be called random. The specified 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 conducting intelligence operations.
Bat - a symbol of military intelligence
The employees of the intelligence departments and their branches practically never wore the designed and created symbol openly for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, its varieties quickly spread to related 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, a symbol is combined with any animal or bird. Much depends on the characteristics of the branch and geographical location. No less popular way after the bat was the wolf.
Red clove
It is believed that this reconnaissance symbol, the photo of which is given below, identifies steadfastness, loyalty, steadfastness and determination in achieving the goals. Grenada with three flames symbolizes the historical image of the grenadiers, considered the most trained members of the elite military units.
Since 1998, the “bat mouse” began to be replaced by the “red carnation”. This symbol of military intelligence in Russia was proposed by the heraldist-artist Yu. Abaturov. The advantage of this sign was the role of a flower as an identification mark, known to everyone since the time of Soviet films. The number of petals characterizes five types of units:
- Ground intelligence.
- Information Agency.
- Air units.
- Diocese of the Sea.
- Special group.
In addition, there is a hint of five continents of the globe and a similar amount of feelings needed for a scout. Initially, this emblem flaunted on the badge of distinction "For service in military intelligence." Then she appeared on the sleeves 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 officers and special forces soldiers. After the decisive role of reform 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 is a symbol of intelligence of the Russian Federation, in fact, remained forever.
Interesting points
In 2002, all the same, the championship is given to the “red carnation with granada”. This is largely due to the fact that the special forces 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 stripes became almost impossible to arrange.
This is even despite the fact that in 1994 a special department was created responsible for military heraldry and symbolism. It got to the point that this department was not able to calculate the existing number and types of sleeve patches. This became 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. There is a new designation there too, only on the walls.
User Feedback
As some experts note in their comments that 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 screen 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 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 scouts in a kind of unit of exclusivity and unity. In this matter, the factor of discussion of a specific special forces unit, army or GRU is not important. All these people do their job, realizing the maximum possible results as defenders of the homeland and justice.
