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Soviet Union [USSR] Border Troops
The mission of the Border Troops, which included 230,000
personnel in 1989, was to prevent unauthorized entry by foreigners
into the Soviet Union and to keep Soviet citizens from leaving the
country illegally
(see Soviet Union USSR - Border Troops of the Committee for State Security
, ch. 19). The troops patrolled clearly demarcated strips
along Soviet state frontiers that contained antivehicle obstacles,
fences, and barbed wire. The Border Troops used guard dogs,
sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment and sensors, and
helicopters perform their duties over vast, sparsely populated
frontier regions.
The Border Troops also guarded the Soviet Union's oceanic
frontiers. Its Maritime Border Troops operated within the twelvemile limit of Soviet territorial waters and were equipped with
frigates, fast patrol boats, hydrofoils, helicopters, and light
aircraft.
In wartime the Border Troops would become a frontline combat
service. Stationed on the frontiers, Border Troops units absorbed
the brunt of Nazi Germany's surprise invasion of the Soviet Union
in June 1941 and fought defensive actions against the German army.
The Border Troops also saw combat action in 1969 in border clashes
with Chinese soldiers on islands in the Ussuri River.
In addition to the Border Troops, the KGB had other troops
engaged in military-related activities that are not mentioned in
legislation governing the armed forces
(see Soviet Union USSR - Internal Security Troops
, ch. 19). The KGB controlled elite units that guard the
highest party officials and stand a continuous ceremonial guard at
the Lenin Mausoleum. The special KGB signal troops also operated
communications linking the party with the Ministry of Defense and
the major territorial commands. Another KGB armed force guarded
sensitive military, scientific, and industrial installations in the
Soviet Union and, until the late 1960s, controlled Soviet nuclear
warhead stockpiles.
Data as of May 1989
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