Russian soldiers have been captured slugging it out in a gruesome boxing fight as part of their qualifications for a special forces beret in a spectacular set of photos.

Volga Federal District's National Guard special forces servicemen took part in the gruelling test to earn a crimson beret today.

Striking pictures show the men battering each other's faces bloody at the Bars training ground in the Republic of Tatarstan, southwest Russia.

The soldiers also performed a series of other qualifications tests, including weapons and ammunition drills, kickboxing and obstacle courses.

They hope to earn a crimson beret, worn by elite members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) Spetsnaz units. It is referred to as 'krapoviy'.

The special annual exam to earn the honour of wearing the beret was devised by Sergei Lysyuk, a former commander of the elite Vityaz special forces unit of the MVD.

He told Russia Beyond: 'It all started when I read the book “Alpha Team” by Miklós Szabó, a former US special forces soldier.

'There, the right to wear the green beret was earned by a gruelling test, with blood and sweat.

'The book made a very strong impression on me and led me to think of establishing a test for my division, for the right to wear a crimson beret that was not simply a hat, but became a symbol of a highly qualified Spetsnaz commando.'

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The programme, including special physical and tactical training, has been used in all Spetsnaz units of the Interior Ministry troops since since May 31, 1993.

Soldiers must go through three stages : a physical fitness test, a weapons and ammunition test, and a final '12 minutes of hell' round, which is split into four periods of hand-to-hand combat with a crimson beret opponent.

The physical fitness stage involves a five-mile run through rugged terrain, including chest high stagnant water, minefields and areas surrounded in smoke and fire.

It is accompanied by mental battery from a group of 'psychological manipulation' soldiers who shout at the runners and throw mud and smoke puff charges at them.

The weapons stage requires soldiers show skill in firing an RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher, the AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, PK or PKT machine guns, the AK74M automatic, Makarov or Stechkin pistols and the SVD sniper rifle.

Finally, the soldiers have to fight an existing crimson beret wearer to earn the right to wear their own.

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gaius01:
Arrrrrrrh

Nothing is painful as engaging in such combat, they remove your teeth and lastly you went home without the Beret.

But on a serious note, if they want to see fight, boxing with strength make them come Nigeria. When one slap from hit you, you go run go house

If they should try this with naija soldier, you will realise all this small small soldiers boys harassing you, don't have any power without their gun. You can literally beat the hell outta them.

Kriss216:
Brethren, is it safe to mention Nigerian Soldiers here .

DonFreshmoney:
Can Buhari just invite Russian soldiers to Nigeria for 3 months? I believe they will decimate boko haram... but he wont because they are his brothers

Righteousness89:
Just for an Earthly Beret!!
If Humans will go through this for a Corruptible Beret or award ..
What will you do to Have an Incorruptible Golden Crown From the KING of Kings?

No Matter what you are Going through,
No Matter the Pains, No Matter the Challenges,
No Matter the Hunger, No Matter the Delays,
No Matter the Persecutions, No Matter the Trials,
Look Beyond it all! Look to JESUS!
Very Very Very Soon, We are going to be Snatched away from this Wicked Earth to a Place where all Tears will be Wiped away..

Don't Give up!!

Righteousness89:
Just for an Earthly Beret!!
If Humans will go through this for a Corruptible Beret or award ..
What will you do to Have an Incorruptible Golden Crown From the KING of Kings?

No Matter what you are Going through,
No Matter the Pains, No Matter the Challenges,
No Matter the Hunger, No Matter the Delays,
No Matter the Persecutions, No Matter the Trials,
Look Beyond it all! Look to JESUS!
Very Very Very Soon, We are going to be Snatched away from this Wicked Earth to a Place where all Tears will be Wiped away..

Don't Give up!!

heendrix:


You're something else

Righteousness89:

I KNOW!

heendrix:


Goodday Pastor.

Righteousness89:
Just for an Earthly Beret!!
If Humans will go through this for a Corruptible Beret or award ..
What will you do to Have an Incorruptible Golden Crown From the KING of Kings?

No Matter what you are Going through,
No Matter the Pains, No Matter the Challenges,
No Matter the Hunger, No Matter the Delays,
No Matter the Persecutions, No Matter the Trials,
Look Beyond it all! Look to JESUS!
Very Very Very Soon, We are going to be Snatched away from this Wicked Earth to a Place where all Tears will be Wiped away..

Don't Give up!!

Righteousness89:


It's all about your Eternal Destination..
This Earth is not our Home
You, I and Everyone Else are only Passing through the Earth.

Our Eternal Home is Either Heaven or Hell, based on who we Believe and live for..

Accepting the Free Gift of Salvation Fully Paid by Jesus Christ Gives you Access to Heaven.
Refusing to Accept Jesus Gives you Access to Destruction and Hell.

We all Must Miss one Eternal Destination!
If you Miss Heaven, you Can't Miss Hell..

gaius01:
Arrrrrrrh

Nothing is painful as engaging in such combat, they remove your teeth and lastly you went home without the Beret.

But on a serious note, if they want to see fight, boxing with strength make them come Nigeria. When one slap from hit you, you go run go house

If they should try this with naija soldier, you will realise all this small small soldiers boys harassing you, don't have any power without their gun. You can literally beat the hell outta them.

davillian:

That guy in red looks like a professional kick boxer
Without head guard and still bursting people's nose and eyes with punches....