Cross "Internal Troops Unit 2101 "Dnestr" MVD PMR".

[Greg Collins]

A few awards unique to the MVD and Justice Ministry Special Forces have come my way. The first is the Battle Cross for Officers of the MVD Special Forces "Dniester". A nice, heavy 2 piece with a straight ribbon and screw back. Not a medal but more of a badge- probably worn on the wearer's right side.

[desantnik]

A few awards unique to the MVD and Justice Ministry Special Forces have come my way. The first is the Battle Cross for Officers of the MVD Special Forces "Dniester". A nice, heavy 2 piece with a straight ribbon and screw back. Not a medal but more of a badge- probably worn on the wearer's right side.

Greg, piece reads "Internal Troops (?) Troop Unit 2101 OBRON(?) "Dniester" MVD PMR."

I can't read the two letters of the question mark prior to Troop Unit abbreviation (вч). The OBRON is an abbreviation that probably stands for "Independent Reconnaissance(?) Special Forces Battalion".

Both MVD and PMR should be familiar abbreviations to you.

Nice piece.

[UQWozza]

Hi Paul,

The letters before troop unit appear to be SM.

Simon

[Greg Collins]

Paul,

Thanks for the translation! I really haven't a clue as to why this particular OBRON unit would have such a high number designation, even if considered in with the Russian units... who knows?

[desantnik]

If the letters are "SM" - I don't have the slightest idea what these letters represent. Since Soviet times (вч) has been voiskovaya chast, or troop unit. I can only propose that "SM" are either a newer adaption or a strictly Transnistrian invention.

The "high" unit designation is according to practice. All units from Soviet times were given either a five- or six-digit random number for operational security reasons. If memory serves me correctly five-digit numbers were for MVD/police/border units and six-digit were for army. In this manner, units could be referred to by the their code number and anyone not knowing the specific number would be left in the dark. This badge kind of defeats that purpose since both the Troop Unit number and its designation are in the same place...:rolleyes:.

[Greg Collins]

I may be going out on a limb here, but could the "SM" indicate Sluzhba Militsii (Police Service)?

[desantnik]

Plausible, but would be awkward in Russian.