Internal Troops of the Soviet Union

Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union
Внутренние войска МВД СССР
*Vnutrenniye voyska Ministerstva vnutrennikh del*
Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union; Внутренние войска МВД СССР; Vnutrenniye voyska Ministerstva vnutrennikh del
Agency overview
Formed	October 20, 1923
Preceding agencies	Special Corps of Gendarmes (1811–1917); VOKhR;
Dissolved	1991
Superseding agency	Internal Troops of Russia and others
Employees	250,000
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency	Soviet union
Operations jurisdiction	Soviet union
Governing body	Ministry of Internal Affairs
General nature	Federal law enforcement; Gendarmerie; Civilian police;
Operational structure
Headquarters	Moscow
Notables
Anniversary	March 27;

Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union (Russian: Внутренние войска Министерства внутренних дел СССР) were military formations (analogous to the gendarmerie), which were intended to ensure law and public order and internal security of the Soviet Union, protect state facilities, protect human and civil rights and freedoms from criminal and other illegal attacks, and ensure public safety. From September 1, 1939 to March 21, 1989, the Internal Troops were an integral part of the Soviet Armed Forces, but were subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union.