RUSSIA: THE DOGS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE RUSSIAN ARMY CANINE TRAINING UNIT HAVE BEEN SO DISCIPLINED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO GO ON KAMIKAZE ANTI-TANK MISSIONS

Record ID: 494364

  • Title: RUSSIA: THE DOGS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE RUSSIAN ARMY CANINE TRAINING UNIT HAVE BEEN SO DISCIPLINED THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO GO ON KAMIKAZE ANTI-TANK MISSIONS
  • Date: 5th August 1999
  • Summary: KNYAZHEVO, RUSSIA (AUGUST 04, 1999) (REUTERS) 1. SLV SOLDIER IN UNIFORM HOLDING BACK BARKING DOG, EAST-EUROPEAN SHEPHERD, WITH ANTI-TANK BOMB STRAPPED ONTO IT 0.07 2. LV/SLV SOLDIER AND DOG STANDING IN FRONT OF TANK/SOLDIER RELEASES DOG/DOG RUNS UNDER TANK/TANK EXPLODES (2 SHOTS) 0.22 3. SLV SOLDIER SHOOTING MACHINE GUN FROM BUILDING/EAST-EURO
  • Embargoed: 20th August 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KNYAZHEVO, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Reuters ID: LVA41BPUYZ1GXR3VSORKIRBNLHZN
  • Story Text: The unit that trained some of Russia's most valued
    soldiers in its Kosovo peacekeeping mission has shown of its
    secrets of success: discipline, training, and plenty of dog
    food.

    The dogs that have gone through the Russian Army Canine
    Training Unit have been so disciplined that they are willing
    to go on kamikaze anti-tank missions.

    This was a mock explosion, but Soviet military planners
    counted on dogs from this unit to be able to rush live bombs
    under enemy tanks if needed during the Cold War.

    The unorthodox attack is just one skill that the Russian
    military dogs learn at their training centre.They are also
    taught to disarm enemy soldiers and follow any command.

    The canine unit was founded 75 years ago as the Dog and
    Pigeon unit.Pigeons have gone, but the dog unit has
    expanded.In fact, trainers have even developed new breeds
    including these Moscow Guard St.Bernards.

    Now, the dogs concentrate on demining.A group of canine
    graduates from this unit is currently serving in Kosovo.They
    have also sniffed out mines during conflicts in Afghanistan,
    Chechnya, Tajikistan, and Moldovia.

    Senior Officer Leonid Murayov said that when it comes to
    finding mines "a dog is no less effective, in fact it is more
    effective, than a soldier mine-sweeper with all of his
    technical equipment."
    But the dogs continue training for any type of mission.

    Blind-folded exercises and steep climbs teach them not to be
    afraid of the unexpected and extreme.

    They are one of the Russian military's most reliable and
    fiercest units, literally bred to serve.


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