In our country, government communications are extremely important, and there is even a day dedicated to it. The first day of June was chosen as the day of celebration. In the 31st year, it was on the first of June in the USSR that they began to operate a specialized high-frequency communication system between cities. It was developed for government agencies. The significance of this connection cannot be overestimated.
Relevance of the issue
The communication provided today by the FSUE GTSSS of Moscow is necessary for timely, fast operational management of the processes taking place in the economy and politics of the state. Such a communication system is significant for the security of the state. It is relevant from the point of view of providing defense.
The significance of the formation of the system of operational control of the state, the Armed Forces, various instances, institutions became clear in the last century, immediately after the revolution of the 17th year. In 1921, Electrosvyaz specialists began experimenting with various options for organizing telephone communications with several channels. Soon thesethe experiments were recognized as successful, it turned out to use one cable line for the simultaneous transmission of three conversations.
Historical vicissitudes
The development of the government communication line did not stop, and in 1923, under the leadership of P. V. Shmakov, successful experiments were carried out to ensure conversations on high-frequency, low-frequency cable ten-kilometer lines. In 1925, they presented equipment for copper systems created by a group led by P. A. Azbukin. By this point in the development of technology, it was already known that high-frequency telephony was the safest option available. Accordingly, they stopped at it, approving the protocols and communication systems for the party apparatus and the leadership of the state. They formed the basis for the creation of the country's administrative system.
The development of technologies, the creation of new devices were fundamentally significant for the strategy. Because of this, the work was given to the OGPU - the political department, at that time responsible for state security. All work related to the technical aspects of telephony was completely entrusted to this organization. Since the communication system was considered extremely important in terms of strategy, it could not be given to the People's Commissariat. Instead, telephony was included in the sphere of responsibility of the authorities involved in state security.
Governance and direction
In the 1920s, the classified communication equipment was subordinate to the 4th OO OGPU. The system was rated as important (above average). Personnel who were responsible for its performance were recruited based oncompetence of applicants and their loy alty to the current power system. The criteria coincided with those relevant for other departments of state security. Such a connection made it possible for the top leadership of the party to work with minimal delays.
The first line was laid between the key cities of the European part - Moscow, Leningrad. Next, they stretched a line from the capital to Kharkov. On the first day of June 1931, the fifth branch of the NGO was created in the OGPU, entrusted to I. Yu. Lawrence. He was in charge of the authority for about six years. Then the OGPU was introduced into the NKVD, leaving the fifth department as the governing body.
Not wasting a minute
The need for secret communication channels required the country to rapidly develop and manufacture, in particular, the construction of new highways that would allow data to be transmitted over the air over a long distance. Construction has been in full swing since the 1930s. Each line was given a pair of circuits, and intermediate, final government communications stations were installed. In the first two years of this decade, a system was created that provided telephone communication between the capital and the cities indicated earlier, as well as Minsk and Smolensk. In 1933, they connected the capital region with Rostov and Gorky, and a year later they laid a line to Kyiv. In the next couple of years, cables were laid from Moscow to ensure communication between managers and Yaroslavl, Sochi, Krasnodar and some other strategically important settlements. In 1938, 25 stations began to operate. Thanks to them, they providecommunication opportunities with Stalingrad, Arkhangelsk and other settlements. In 1939 stations appeared in Novosibirsk and Chita. Remote control room of the Moscow high-frequency station launched in Lyubertsy.
From the history of the development of special communications in Russia, it is known that in the 40th year it was possible to establish fixed-line service for 325 subscribers in different parts of the Soviet lands. The longest information transfer line at that moment was the one connecting the capital with Khabarovsk. It was completed and launched in 1939. The total length reached 8,615 km. By the end of the decade, organization had largely ended, and communication had become an important aspect of ensuring the interaction of the highest ranks. A system of contacts has been established between the heads of republics, territories and regions. Now there is a possibility of quick access to the administration of the most strategically significant industrial enterprises, as well as other facilities, including military and security forces.
Secrecy and its enforcement
Modern Russian special communications are largely based on the structure laid down in those distant years. Already in the 30s, engineers worked to ensure the secrecy of transmitted information. Then they formed methods of automatic classification. In 1937, the factories produced the EC-2 system, created by G. V. Staritsyn, K. P. Egorov. A little later, we set up the manufacture of an improved one - we developed four variations of equipment. By the end of this decade, the use of inverters effectively concealed all major government channels and information transmitted overhim.
A little time passed, I. Yu. Lawrence was arrested, and his post was given to I. Ya. Vorobyov. Previously, this specialist worked at a telephone factory, from where he left for state security, served as chief mechanic, head of communications, and head of the government communications department. Since 1939, he was replaced by M. Ilyinsky, one of those who worked on the creation of two encryption systems for data transmission. Both of these people were among the most important people in the development and improvement of telephone communications for the needs of the governing party. Numerous stations have been introduced by their efforts. The death of Ilyinsky became the reason for inviting Vorobyov to his previous position. It happened in 1941.
Time and place
Until the beginning of the 40s, closed communication channels existed due to four structures that provided technical and managerial aspects. In addition to the NKVD department, structures created under the Kremlin and responsible for technical communications played an important role. They were responsible for the government communications service within the capital and the region. Cinema, clocks in the Kremlin - this was also the responsibility of this institution. The third participant was a department of the Main Directorate of the NKVD. He provided the possibility of secret telephone conversations in the offices and apartments of members of the Politburo. He was also involved in the installation of sound amplifying equipment during various important events. The fourth department included in the system belonged to the AHOZU of the NKVD of the USSR. His task was to provide communications for operational units. This department de alt with urbanstations.
During World War II, government communications was one of the key aspects of managing military units, government agencies, industrial enterprises, and party structures. Without adequate communication, it would hardly have been possible to defeat the aggressor, and if it had been possible, it would have been much more difficult to do so. In many ways, communication was also important for interstate negotiations between the leaders of the USSR. Signalers in those days flawlessly coped with the tasks assigned to him. However, there were many problems, and not the last place was occupied by administrative ones.
World War II and victory in it
Later, Marshal of the Soviet Union I. S. Konev recalled how important the institution of military, government communications was in those days. Konev recalled how she rescued those who were supposed to control the troops, how many lives she saved. In many ways, success in the war, as the marshal believed, was determined by the accurate and well-coordinated work of signalmen. Persons who, by virtue of their position, had the right to use government communications, could at that time count on the constant accompaniment of a signalman who was responsible for the technical aspects of the issue.
When World War II ended in victory, the ruling powers of the people decided in favor of continuing the development of advanced technical systems. In the 50s, new channels were created for communication between the Soviet and Chinese capitals, at that time the main cities of the socialist camp. Since the last day of August 1963, a line connecting the Soviet capital with Washington has been operating. Since the Cuban Missile Crisis has caused increased tensions inworld level, for some improvement in the situation, this communication system was introduced.
Better every day
Starting in the 70s, the next two decades were spent on improving government communications. Researchers have been developing measures to make the current system more efficient. The leadership of the powers, party leaders got the opportunity to access communications, regardless of their location on the planet. The service responsible for the implementation of the opportunities faced various difficulties due to frequent changes in the geographic location of subscribers.
While the connection developed, the methods of its control improved in parallel. New systems for training personnel were introduced. For the entire period of the existence of the Allied Power, government communications were part of the State Security Committee, the eighth head of the State Security Committee. The training of officers who could serve here was entrusted to a special school opened in 1966 in Bagrationovsk. In 1972, it was decided that it was necessary to develop the current system further, so the school was moved to Orel, called it the highest military. It trained officers who had the highest level of education. Such personnel were intended specifically for the law enforcement troops. If initially the training lasted three years, then after the relocation it was increased by another year.
New conditions and new ways
Since the 91st year of the last century, the USSR no longer exists. Together with the state, the structures that existed in it were liquidated. Since 1991, the Federalcommunication agency. FAPSI included both the eighth department of the KGB mentioned earlier, and the 16th, whose area of specialization was radio electrical intelligence. A. V. Starovoitov was appointed the first director. In 1993, he received the rank of colonel general, five years later he became an army general. Starovoitov is known for his skills and abilities in the field of government communications. For a long time he was an engineer, supervising communication aspects at various industrial facilities. FAPSI existed as an independent structure until 2003. The tasks of this institution are solving problems with government communications, ensuring the security of encrypted messages. The institution was responsible for intelligence in the field of classified transmission, was engaged in information support for state authorities of the state. The personnel were trained by a specialized military institute. At the beginning of the current millennium, it was transformed into the FAPSI Academy.
Three years later, FAPSI ceased to exist. The functions that were previously assigned to the federal communications agency were redistributed among several instances. Most of the units, including the educational institution and units responsible for government communications, were transferred to the Federal Security Service. It is this instance that is currently the main one responsible for legal communications. It includes a service whose area of expertise is special communications and information. The head of this instance replaces the director of the FSO.
Pinwheel
In those days when federal government communications were stilldid not exist, moreover, when there was no real connection as such, top managers were already thinking about the possibilities of quickly transferring information to subordinates. "Vertushka" appeared on the initiative of Lenin, who ordered the creation of an internal Kremlin automatic telephone exchange. This name was given to the system because of the fundamental difference from the usual technology for that time. If a conventional network assumed the presence of an operator to connect subscribers, then in the Kremlin there was an automatic telephone exchange and there was a rotary dialer. Since it spun, the whole system was nicknamed the "turntable". This name has survived to this day, although current technology no longer has anything to do with government communications of those times.
The expansion of the system made it possible to provide it with two outputs. One was for other formats of legal communications, the second was for contacts with the military. However, for the layman, this entire system, which became more complicated, was still in general terms called a "turntable". Engineers, in turn, knew the first automatic telephone exchange, a prestigious one, designed to serve top officials, ministers, and their deputies. The second ATS was for directors of departments, heads of services, as well as their deputies. This network was distinguished by a greater breadth of broadcasting. However, in general, the “pinwheel” was considered an exceptional indicator of status within the nomenklatura.
Yesterday, today, tomorrow
Today, separate battalions of government communications are still responsible for ensuring the operation of the "turntable", although this system has become technically much more complicated and practically does not coincide in any way with the organizedunder Lenin. In fact, this system is poorly protected, it is not designed for secret negotiations. There is a connection with other government secure systems. A significant contribution has been made through the organization of mobile radiotelephony.
The history of this important government communications block is curious. Modern man knows that it has existed since the first autumn month of 1918. In 1922, a station for three hundred subscribers was installed in the Kremlin, and in 1948 the capacity was increased to a thousand. By 1954, the number of rooms reached 3.5 thousand. In 1967, the Rosa duplex system was launched, and the introduction of classified machines using the Laguna and Coral systems began. Previously, the rules stated that only the owner could answer the call on the first PBX. If one was absent and a duty officer was appointed, when answering, he should immediately report who is in touch.
