Abbreviations in Military

Abbreviations in military/historical publications
Edition: 1.00
AMVAS note:
This table is a result of long work. Its based on the table from http://geroiss.narod.ru/sokr.htm with many additions. Some
abbreviations are not from WWII times, but you easily can find them in our literature, for example in chapters about pre-war period
(1920s-30s)
Its not final edition of the table. With time I hope to add something more. Also I have to say this table represents non-official version
of translation. I made it just to give basic ideas what this, or that abbreviations can be responsible for.
Acronym/Abbreviation
Russian
Transliterated
Full term
3/1
3/1 DNO
KB
KV
Russian
3- 1-
NB (Nota Bene)
NB (Nota bene)
Observe carefully
PA
RA
Rocket Army
ap
Artillery regiment
can
sap
Self-propelled artillery regiment
ops
Separate1 Signals regiment
rap
Aviation reconnaissance regiment
uap
Training artillery/aircraft regiment
First day of an operation (D-Day)
Ch
H: hour of the attack (H-Hour)
Army
AARM
Army Artillery Repair Shop
AB/ABT
Armored vehicleError: Reference source not found
ABTV
ABTV
Error: Reference source not found
/
Error: Reference source not
found
Page 1 of 33
Translated
3rd Dzerzhinskii Regiment, 1st
Kirov Peoples Militia Divisions
Cosmic forces (Space program)
Armored equipment/forces3
Armored Forces

Russian
Transliterated
Full term
ABTM
ABTO
ABTU
AVAD
Russian

AVVSPVO
Combined army of aircraft and antiaircraft forces
AVL
Military vet hospital
AVP
Polish Army (acting together with Soviet troops)
AG
army group
AGSh
Academy of the General Staff
ADD
Long-rang aviation/artillery
AZ
Barrage balloon
AIR
Artillery instrumental reconnaissance
AK
AKKUKS
Army Corps (Finnish)

Red Banner advanced artillery training courses for
command staff.
AKUKS
AMP
(.)

ANO
Aerial navigation lights
AON
AONP
AP
Aviation/Artillery regiment
ARGK
Reserve artillery of the Supreme Command
ASSR
Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
Page 2 of 33
Translated
Repair Vehicle (or workshop) of Armored Forces
Armored section
Armored department
army military automobile road
Advanced artillery training courses for command staff.

Artillery meteorological outpost
Specially designated artillery/army

Specially designated artillery/army of the Republic

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
AU
Russian

Artillery department
AKhO
Administrative section
AKhS
Administrative service
AKhCh
An administrative department of a unit/organization
AE
Aviation Escadrille (squadron)
Agitpropotdel
Agitation and propaganda department
Agitpropsvet
Agitation and propaganda education department
AzVF, AZF
Azov Naval Flotilla
Ardom
Jail (i.e. Jail of Military Police)
ArtI
Artillery Institute
ArtII
Artillery Engineering Institute
Artkom
Artillery committee
Artsklad
Artillery depot
ArkhVO
Archangelsk military district (okrug)
( )
(in a name) big, large, greater
B/p
Non-party
BA
Bomber Aviation
BAO
Aerodrome service battalion
BB
short-range bomber
BBA
short-range bomber aviation
BBK
White Sea-Baltic Canal
BVMI
Baltic Naval Institute
BVO
Byelorussian military district
Page 3 of 33
Translated

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
BDB
Russian

Translated
High-speed landing craft tank
BEPO
Armored train
BZ
Ammunition
BKA
Armored cutter
BM
Super-heavy (used for artillery units)
BO
(Large) Sub-chaser. (Special anti-submarine, patrol ship)
BOVO
Belorussian Special Military District
BRO
Battalion defense zone
BSSR
Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic
BT & MB
Armored and Mechanized Forces
BUP
Infantry army regulations
BF
Baltic Fleet
BF
Byelorussian Front
buch
Combat zone
VA
Military academy
VA
Air Army
VAGSh
Military academy of the General Staff
VAD
- ,
Military automobile road/Aircraft Division
VAI
Military Aviation Institute
VAII
VAKShS
VARVSN
Military Aviation Engineering Institute

Military academy of the command and navigator staff of the
VVS RKKA
Military academy of the RVSN (Strategic Rocket Forces)
VATT
Military academy of rear services and transport
Page 4 of 33

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
VATU
Russian
-
Translated
Military aviation technical university
VAF
. ..
Frunze Military Academy
VAvtU
Military transport automobile university
VArtU
Military artillery university
VV
Explosive material/Internal Security Forces
VVA
Military Aviation Academy
VVS
(Military) Air Force
VVSP
Temporary military hospital train
VVUZ
Higher military education institute
VVF
Volga Naval Flotilla
VGK
Supreme High Command [Command-in-chief]
VDA
Airborne army
VDV
Airborne troops (paratroops)
VDU
Military conductor university
VDU
Military roadways department
VI
Military Institute
VIA
Military Engineering Academy
VIA
Air Fighter Army (fighter planes)
VIGU
Military engineering technical university
VIIRE
Military Engineering Academy for radioelectronics
VIKU
Military Engineering University for Space (Kosmos)
VIRV
VIRKhBZ
Military Institute of Rocket Forces

Military Institute for radiation, chemical and biological
defense
Page 5 of 33

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
VIRE
Russian

Translated
Military Institute for radioelectronics
VIS
Military Institute for communications
VITU
Military Engineering Technical University
VIU
Military Engineering University/department
VIFK
Military Institute for Physical Culture Sports
VK
High Command
()
VKP
()
All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)
VKPP
Veterinary Control Station
VLKSM
VMA
VMA
Naval Academy
VMB
Naval base
VMI
Military Medical Institute
VMII
Naval Engineering Institute
VMIRE
Naval Radioelectronics Institute
VMN
()
Extreme penalty (usually execution by shooting)
VMP
Naval infantry (Marines)
VMS
Naval forces
VMF
Naval fleet
VNOS
Aerial observation, notification and communications service
VNUS
Internal Security Troops
VO
Military district
VOV
Great Patriotic War
Page 6 of 33
Komsomol (Communist Youth Organization)

Military Medical Academy

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
VOKS
Russian
( )
Translated
All-Union Society for Cultural Ties (overseas)
VOSO
Military transportation (services);
VOKhR
Internal Security/Internal Security Troops of the Republic
VPA
- . ..
Lenin Military-Political Academy
VPK
VPP
VPR
-
1.
2. -
3. -
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Military Fire Brigade (Team)

1. platoon ammunition supply point
2. runway (Aviation)
3. military ration point
4. military dressing point (medical)
5. temporary transshipment point
6. auxiliary position finding station
7. auxiliary receiving point
8. transistorized high-resistance voltmeter
Temporary reloading district
VPS
Military field construction
VPU
VRID
-
, -
VRIO
Temporary executive obligation
VS
Military council/Supreme Soviet
VSL
Military emergency
VSO
Military construction detachment
VSP
High council on conveyances
VSP
Hospital train
VSSV
Troops and forces of the North-East
VT
Military tribunal
VU
Military university
Page 7 of 33
Auxiliary control point/Military political school

Temporary executive obligation

Full term
Russian
,
Transliterated
VUVPVO, VUPVO
Russian

Translated
Military university of the anti-aircraft forces
VUZ
VURKhBZ
VUS
Military education institute

Military university for radiation, chemical, and biological
defense
Military Communications University
VF
Eastern front
VFEU
Military Economics University
VKhU
Military chemical department
VTs
Military censorship
VTsIK
VTsSPS
VCh
VChK (Cheka)
VChsvyaz
All-Russian Central Executive Committee

All-Union Central Council for Professional Unions
(professional workers unions)
High-frequency Telephone/ transmitter
(Rem. used for secret communications)
All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for the Combatting of
Counterrevolution and Sabotage
High-frequency Communications
VEO
Military usage section
Voenzag
Voenkom
Voyenkomat
Voenruk
Voenspets
Vol
Department for military preparations (purchases)

Military commissar (used both for commissars of regular units
and head of mobilization department Voyenkomat)
Regional military department responsible for mobilization and
some other regional activities
Military leader. (more often is used for military teacher at
school)
Military specialist (mostly used in 1920s-30s for officers of
former tsarist army who joint RKKA)
Province, district.
Volispolkom
Provincial executive committee
Page 8 of 33

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
Volkom
Russian

Provincial committee
Volkompart
Provincial Party committee
Vokhra
Militarized guard
Vrid
Temporary acting (commander, head, leader et.al.)
Vsevobuch
General military training
Vserabotzem
All-Russian Manufacturing Union of the workers of the world
Vyezdsessiya
Traveling session
GA
Army Group
GABTU
GAVTU
GAZ
GAMS

Error: Reference source not
found

/
GARF
State archive of the Russian Federation
GAS
Lead aviation depot
GATO
State archive of the Tambov district (oblast)
GAU
Main artillery department of the Red Army
GB
State security
GBTU
Main Tank Directorate
GBF
Front-line hospital base
BVIU
Main military engineering department of the Red Army
GVO
City veterinary section
GVSU
Main military sanitation department
GVF
Civil Air Fleet
Page 9 of 33
Translated
Main armored department

Main automobile department
Automobile of Gorkii Automobile Factory/ Gorkii
Automobile Factory itself
Main meteorological station

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
GVKhU
Russian
-
Translated
Main military chemical department
GZhCh
Garrison housing service
GIK
State testing cosmodrome
GIU
GITsIU KS
GK

()
Major commissariat directorate

Main experimental center for testing and allocation of cosmic
resources
High command
()
GKO (GOKO)
State Defense Committee
GLITs
State Aviation Testing Center
GLR
Hospital for light injuries
GMCh
Guards Mortar Units (Rocket launcers [Katuisha])
GOU
GPU
GRAU
Provincial control section

Main Political Department (intermediate name of organization
also named in different time periods Cheka and NKVD)
Main rocket-artillery department
GRVZ
GRU GShKA
GRU
GS
Transcaucasian group of Russian Forces

Main Reconnaissance Department of the General Staff of the
Red Army (Army Intelligence)
Main Reconnaissance Department of the General Staff of the
Red Army (Army Intelligence)
Leading station
GSM
Combustive-lubricating materials
GSOVG
Soviet occupation forces in Germany
GU VVR
Main department for military reconstruction
GU VVS
Main department for the Air Force
GUGVF
Main department of the Civil Air Fleet
Page 10 of 33

Full term
Russian

Transliterated
GUGMS
Russian

Translated
Main department of hydremeteorological service
GUKART
Main department of artillery command
GU
Main department / gas-shelter
GUGK
Main department of geodesics and cartography
GUK
Main department for cadres
GUNART
Main department of the head of artillery
GUOBR
Main department for defensive works
GUPVI
GUPVO
GUPS,
Glavuprodsnab
GURT
Main department of ration supply
Main department of tank repairs
GUS
Main department of communications
GUT
GUFiUV
GUShOSDOR
GFP
GTsMP

(. GFP - Geheime Feldpolizei) -
()

Main department of rear services

Main department of forming of the troops. (organization and
bringing troops up to strength)
Main department of highways
Ger. GFP - Geheime Feldpolizei: secret field police
(gendarmerie)
State central naval polygon
GTsP
State central polygon
GSh
General staff
Garvrach
Garrison doctor
Gestapo
Glav-PUR

(. Gestapo - Geheime Staatspolizei)

Page 11 of 33
Main department for military prisoners and those interned

Main department for antiaircraft defense
Ger. Gestapo - Geheime Staatspolizei: secret state police

Main political department of the Red Army

Russian
Transliterated
Full term
Russian
-

Translated
Main political department of the Workers and Peasants Red
Army
Main military sanitation department
Main department for general military instruction
Glav-PUR KKF
Glavvoensanupr,
Glavsanupr
Glavvsezovuch
Glavdorupr
Main roadways department
Glavkozha
Main department for leather production
Glavkom
Glavlit
(
)
Glavsakhar
Glavupraform (GU
O I UV)
GosNII

)
-
Chief command [commander-in-chief]

Main department for protection of military and state secrets in
print
Main department for sugar production
Main department of forming of the troops. (organization and
bringing troops up to strength)
State scientific research institute
Gosizdat
State printing house
Goskontrol
State control
Gubispolkom
Provincial executive committee
Gubkom
Provincial committee
Gubkombol
- ()
Provincial committee of the Bolshevik Party
Gubkomdesertir
Gubkommol
Gubleskom
Gubmobbiuro
Gubpredkom
Gubprinudrabot
Provincial committee for combating desertion

Provincial committee of the Russian Communist Union of
Youth
Provincial forest committee
Administrative-mobilization section of the provincial military
committee
Provincial production committee
Subcommittee for essential tasks of the provincial section of
the department
Page 12 of 33

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
Gubrekvizotdel
Russian

Translated
Provincial requisition section
Gubstatbiuro
Gubcheka GChK
Guzhpovinnost
Provincial statistics bureau

Provincial Extraordinary Commission for the Combating of
Counterrevolution and Sabotage
Animal-drawn duty
Gushosdor
Main department for highways
D.
Affair, file, dossier
DA
Divisional artillery
DAG
Divisional artillery group
DB
Long-range bombers
DBA
Long-range bomber aviation
()
DVF (DVFront)
Fareastern front
DD
Long-range action
DZ
DZOT, dzot
DKR
Smoke screen
Earth and timber emplacement (or direct translation: Woodenearth made pillbox)
Traffic control company [subordinated to commandant]
DKU
Road zone [guided by commandant]
DNS
House for command staff
DOP
Divisional exchange point
DOT, dot
Pillbox
DPK
Commandants duty assistant
DPS
Traffic control service
DSB
DShK
-
(
)
Road-construction battalion
Large-calibre machine-gun DegtyarevShpagin
Kalashnikov - type
Page 13 of 33

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
DEB
Russian
-
Translated
Road-operational Battalion
DEP
Road-operational evacuation point
()
DalVO (DVO)
Far Eastern Military District
Dezotryad
Disinfection point
ZA
Antiaircraft artillery
ZAB
Incendiary aerial bomb
ZAON
Antiaircraft artillery of special designation
ZNGSh
Deputy chief of the General Staff
ZP
Antiaircraft machine-gun
ZRV
Antiaircraft rocket forces
ZRIPVO
Antiaircraft rocket institute of the PVO (anti-aircraft forces)
ZabVO
Transbaikal Military District
ZabF, Zabfront
Transbaikal Front
Zavotsovkhoz
Chief of subsection of Sovkhoz of Land sector.
ZakVO
Transcaucasian Military District
ZakF
Transcaucasian Front
ZapOVO
Western Special Military District
Zaparmiya
Reserve army
Zapfront
Western Front
Zemotdel
Land (agricultural) sector
Zol.
Zolotnik Russian measure of weight = 1/96 pound = 4.26 g
IA
Fighter aviation
IVDV
Airborne Institute
Page 14 of 33

Russian
Transliterated
Full term
IKKI
IO
Russian

IP
Measuring point
ISU
Self-propelled gun based on IS chassis
ITL
Corrective (i.e. prison) labor camp
ITR
Technical engineering worker
Interkavbrigada
International cavalry brigade
Infchast
Informational unit
KA
Red Army, Red Banner Army
KATSch
Cutter-mine-sweeper
KBF
Red Banner Baltic Fleet
KV
Space forces
KVO
Kiev Military District
KDF
Red Banner Dniepr Flotilla
KL
Gunboat
KMG
Cavalry-Mechanized Group
KNS
Command and high command staff
KOVO
Kiev Special Military District
KP
Command post
KPVO
Antiaircraft Corps
KPP
Check-point
KRO
Counterespionage section
KRTs
Command-reconnaissance centre
Page 15 of 33
Translated
Executive Committee of the Communist International
Executive obligation

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
KTR
Russian
-
Cutter-mine sweeper
KUKS
Training courses for command staff.
KUOS
Training courses for officer staff.
KF
Kalinin Front
KEO
Quarters-operational section
KECh
Quarters-operational unit
KaUR
Karelian Fortified Region
...
()
Kav
Cavalry
Karrota (battalion)
()
Sentry company (battalion)
. (.)
Kol. (Ger.)
Kontrkhozkom
Colony (German) settlement. Often in southern regions of

Ukraine.
Control- general service commission
L.
Sheet
LANO
Leningrad People Militia Army
LBTKUKS
LVO
LIS
Test-flight service
LON
()
General-purpose clinic/vet clinic
LF
Leningrad Front
LenVO
Leningrad Military District
Lyzhrota
Ski Company
. (.)
M. (m)
( ) , ,
(in name) Small (lesser), cape, small town (mestechko)
MBR
Naval Short-range scout plane
MVO
Moscow Military District
Page 16 of 33
Translated
Leningrad Armored Training courses for command staff.

Leningrad Military District

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
MGU
Russian

Translated
Powerful loud-speaker device
MZA
Small-bore antiaircraft artillery
MZO
Moscow Defensive Zone
MZP
Barrage Minefield
MK
Naval college/Mechanised Corps
MNRA
MO
MOR
Mongolian People-revolutionary Army

Ministry of Defense/Sub-chaser (small) (Special antisubmarine, patrol ship)
Naval Defensive zone
MP
Mobilization plan
MPVO
Local antiaircraft defense
MTO
Logistica/material support
MTS
Engine/tractor station
MTF
Milk farm
MEP
Medical evacuation post
N.
( ) ,
(in name) Lower, New
NAD
Divisional Head of Artillery
NBA
Night Bomber Aviation
NGSh
Head of the General Staff
NIBTP
Armored Scientific Research Testing Ground
NII
Scientific Research Institute
AT
NIII AT
NIII BTVT
NIIS
-
-

-

-
Page 17 of 33
Scientific research & testing institute of Vehicles

Scientific Research & Testing Institute of Armored fighting
Vehicles
Scientific Research Institute of Communications

Russian
Transliterated
Full term
NKAP
NKV
Russian
()
NKVD
()
Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs
NKVMF
NKGB
NKZ, Narkomzdrav
-
()
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) for Navy

Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) /Commissar (i.e
Minister) of State Security
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Health and Medicine
NKID
()
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Foreign Affairs
NKO
()
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Defence
NKPS
()
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Transport Lines
NKRF
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of River Fleet
NKS, NKsvyazi
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Communication
NKSG
National Committee Free Germany
NKT
NKTP
NKF
NKEP
NKYu

()
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Trade

Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Tank
Production/Industry
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Finance
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Electro Production\
Industry
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Justice
NO
Peoples Militia/ Head of Section
NP
Observation point
NPP
()
Direct Tank Support of Infantry
(.)
NSDAP
National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi party)
NSh
Head of staff
Page 18 of 33
Translated
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) for Aviation Industry
Peoples Weapons Commissariat

Russian
,
,
Transliterated
Narbank
Narkomvnudel,
NKVD
Narkomzem, NKZ
Narkomprod,
Komprod
Narkomtrud
Full term
Russian
Translated
Peoples National Bank
Peoples Commissariat for Internal Affairs
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of agriculture
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Food
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Work
Narkomyust
Peoples Commissariat (i.e. Ministry) of Justice
Nachosobotdelarm
Chief of Armys Special Service (Department)
Nachpogub
Chief of Regional Political Section (Service)
Nachpodiv
Chief of Political Service (Department)
Nachsekropotdel
Chief of Secret-Operational Service (Department)
Nachfinchasti
Chief of Financial Service (Department)
,
,
/.
Nashtavoisk
Nashtarevsovet,
nashtarevsovresp,
nashtaresp
O/upolnom.
Executive Officer of HQ of Forces
Head of the HQ for the Revolutionary military council of the

Republic
OA RKO
OA
Special Commissioner
SeparateError: Reference source not found Army of
Missile/Cosmic defence
SeparateError: Reference source not found Army
OAS
Main Armys Station
OV
Chemical Gas
OVA
Academy of Joint Warfare\Joint Forces\Joint Weapons
OVK
()
Regional Military Commissar (Commissariat)
OVO
Special Military district
OVS
Logistical Service
Page 19 of 33

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
OG
Russian
Translated
OGPU
OGRVP
Operative Group
Unified State Political Directorate for the Council of Peoples
Commissars of the USSR
Operational Group of Russian Forces in Pridnestrovie
OGU
Lite loud-speaker device
OD
ODTChK
ODEB
OZS
Pperson on duty (usually in headquarters)

Section of Extaordinary Transport Commssion to fight against
Contr-Revolutuion and Sabotage
SeparateError: Reference source not found Battalion of Road
Using (i.e. Military Engineers)
Lite loud-speaker station
OIU
Logistic Department of Military District
OITs
Separate measurement center
OK
Personnel Management Service (Department)
OKARTU
OKV (OKW)
OKDVA
OKIK
District Artillery Department

(Ger. O.K.W. - Oberkommando der Wehrmacht) High
Command of the Wehrmacht (German Army)
SeparateError: Reference source not found Red Banner Far
East Army
SeparateError: Reference source not found Command-Analys
Complex
OKKh (OKH)
OM
(. O.K.H. - Oberkommando des Heeres)

ONIS
OO
Special Power (i.e. artillery)

SeparateError: Reference source not found Science and Test
Station
Special Task Force (larger then company)
OON
United Nations (UN)
OP
Firing position/defensive point
Page 20 of 33
German: Oberkommando des Heeres

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
OPS
Russian

ORVB
ORPK
ORS
OSAA
OSG
OSK
OT
Post Office
SeparateError: Reference source not found Repair and
Maintence Battalion
Special reserve of steam-engine column (column in this case
sort of engine unit)
Section of Workers Supply
Middle Asian SeparateError: Reference source not found
Army
Section of Fuel Supply
SeparateError: Reference source not found Rifle\Infantry
Corps
Firing Position
OUKIK
Separate Training Measurement complex
OdVO
Odessas Military District
Okr.
Military Districts
Op.
List, Listing
Operypr
Armys Operational Service (Section)
OrVO
Orels Military District
OsN
Osoaviakhim
, 00
Ocobotdel, OO
Special Designation (i.e. Special Forces etc)

League for help to Defence, Aviation and Chemical
Construction
Special Department (Section) i.e Contr-Espionage
PA
()
Regimental Artillery\Field Artillery
PA
Polish Army
PAAS
Armys Artillery Supply Depot
PAB
Armys Field Base
PAM
()
Mobile Aviation Service
Page 21 of 33
Translated

Russian
Transliterated
Full term
PAP
PARM
PAKh
Russian
/

( )

PVO TS
Country Antiaircraft defense
PVO
Anti-aircraft defense
PVKhO
Anti-aircraft defense
PG
Mobile group
PL
Submarine
PMP
Regimental Medical Point (Service)
PNSh
Assistant of a Head of Staff
PO
Forward Task Force\Political Section
POARM
Armys Political Department
POZ
PP OGPU
PP
Mobile obstacle detachment

Authorized representation of the Unified State Political
Directorate for the Council of Peoples Commissars of the
USSR
Anti-Personel
PPG
Mobile Field Hospital
PPS
Field Post Office
PPSh
Shpagin-type Submachine Gun
PRB
Mobile Repair Base
PSO
Maneuver with Concentrated Fire
PT
Anti-tank
PTA
Anti-tank artillery
Page 22 of 33
Translated
Transit Aircraft Regiment/Gun Artillery Regiment
Field Aviation Repair Workshop (automobile-based)
Automobilebased field bakery

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
PTARZ
Russian
-
Translated
Mobile Tank-assembly repair plant
PTO
()
Antitank defense (gun)
PTR
Antitank rifle
PTRZ
Mobile Tank-repair plant
PU
PUAZO
-
, ,
PUR
PUrVO
Control device for antiaircraft artillery fire

Political Department of the Revolutionary Military Council of
Republic
Privolzsk-Uralsk Military District
PFS
Food Service
PkhZ
Anti-gas regiment
PKhO
Anti-gas defense
PKhP
Field bakery
Pekhkursy
Infantry Courses
Poarm
Pobuch
Politkom
Political commissar
Politprosvet
Political-educational (enlightenment) section
Polkom
Executive Commission of VCIK
Polsevkom
Sowing commettee
Predpolkom
Chief of Executive Commission of VCIK
PriVO
Privolzshks Military District
PribVO
Baltics Military Disctrict
PribOVO
Baltics Special Military District
Page 23 of 33
Fight Manual
Political Section of Army for fight against criminal

Political department of combat region

Full term
Russian
...
Transliterated
Prod
Russian
PsB
PsO
Food
Psychological Warfare i.e. part of Unconventional Warfare
(UW)
Psychological Operation
Puokr
Political Department of Military District
RA
Missile\Rocket Army
RAB
Base Deployment Region of Aviation
RAG
Reserve Aviation Group
RV
Missile\Rocket Forces
RVGK
RVK
RVSN
Supreme High Command [Command-in-Chief] Reserve

Regional Military Commissariat\Reserve of Supreme
Command
Strategic Missile Forces
RVSR
RVTR,
Revvoentribunal
Revolutionary Military Council of Republic
Revolutionary Military Tribunal of Republic
RGA VMF
GRVA
RGK
RGNIITsPK
Translated
Russian State Navy Archive

Russian State Military Archive
RIK
Hight command [Command-in-Chief] Reserve

Russian Government Science, Development and Tests Center
for Cosmonauts Training
Regional executive committee
RK
Regional committee
RKKA
Workers and Peasants Red Army
()
RKP(b)
()
Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks)
RKP
Workers and Peasants government
Page 24 of 33

Russian
Transliterated
Full term
RO NKVD
RO
Russian

()
ROA
Russian liberation army (i.e. Vlasovs collaborators)
ROM
Local Police Station
ROP
Companys strongpoint
ROSTA
Russian Telegraph Agency
ROT
Knapsack-type Flamethrower
RS
managing-radio station /rocket, missile
RSFSR
RTV
RTO
Region of Technical Service
RF
Russian Federation
RTsKhIDNI
REP

()

Rabinspektsia
Inspection of Workers Affairs
Raikompart
Rau-spirt
RezF
Local Committee of Party

Region Department of Main Government Department of
Alcohol Production
Reserve front
Rekvizotryad
Commandeer detachment
SA
( SA - Sturmabteilungen) -
Ger: Sturmabteilungen: Storm Troops
SA
Soviet Army
SAB
Illuminating flare
Page 25 of 33
Translated
Regional Section of Peoples Commissariat of Internal Affairs
of the USSR
Recon Section\Special Recon Battalion
Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic

Radio-Techical Forces (i.e. EW)
Evacuation point

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
SAVO
Russian

Translated
Central Asian military okrug
SAM
Stationary Aviation Repair Service (workshop)
SAU
Self-propelled gun
SB
Strategic bombers
SV
Self-loading rifle
SVAG
Soviet military administration in Germany
SVGK
SVR
SGA
Headquarters of the Supreme High Command

Departament of External Intelligence i.e. SVR does part of
work of CIA
Northern Army Group
SGV
Northern Group of Forces
(.)
SD
Ger: Sicherdienst: security service
SZF
Northwestern front
-5
SK-5
N 5
Synthetic caoutchouc plant
SKA
Patrol boat
SKA
Communication Department of Red Army
SKVO
North Caucasian military okrug
SKF
North Caucasian front
SMERSh Smersh
Military counterintelligence (short for death to the spies)
SNIS
SNK, Sovnarkom
SOBR
Communication and Monitoring Aircraft

Peoples Commissars Council (i.e. soviet government in
1920s-40s)
United detachment for fast counteraction
SOVChK
Secret Department of VChK
SOO, SO
Secret Special Service (section)\Secret Service (section)
Page 26 of 33

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
SOR
Russian

Translated
Sevastopols Fortified Region
SOT
SOCh
SP
Hiding weapon emplacement

Regional Secret-Operational Section of Regional Service of
GPU
Code of decrees
SPAM
Assembly point (place) of damaged vehicles
SPU NKVD
(.)
SS
SS
Secret-Political Department of NKVD

Ger: Schutzstaffel: Protection Troops: military arm of the
Nazi party (Waffen SS: combat troops; SS ran the camps)
Supply Station
SSSR
USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
STK
Working Peasants League
SU
Self-propelled Gun
SF
Northern Front/Fleet
SEG
Sorting evacuation hospital
Selkom
Village committee
SibVO
Siberian military District
Sovdep
Council of Deputies
Sovoborony
Council of Defense
Sovorgani
Organs of Soviet power
Sokotakra
Union of Cooperatives of the Tambov Region
SpN
[of] special designation
StVO
Stalingrad Military District
Str.
Rifle, or Infantry (Regiment, Division et.al.)
TA
Tank army
Page 27 of 33

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
TAON
Russian

Translated
Specially-designated heavy artillery
TASS
Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (official news agency)
TB
Heavy bomber
TVD
The theatre of war/operations, battle-ground
TVL
Veterinary Hospital for Captured Horses
TI
Tank Academy\Insitute
TII
Tank-Engineer Institute
TKA
Torpedo Boat
TO NKVD
Transportation section of the NKVD
TOVMI
Pacific Naval Institute
(.)
TODT
Ger.: militarized construction organization (death)
TOS
Top-secret technology
TOF
Pacific fleet
TR
()
Transport (naval)
TRAON
Trench Special Artillery
TU NKVD
Transportation department of the NKVD
TSch
Mine-Sweeper
UPS, Uprodsnab
Department of Food Supply
, .
UA, ud. A
Shock Army
UADS
Department of Auto-Transport and Road Service
UAS
Department of Airfield Construction
UBTSiR
Department of Armored Forces for repair and Supply
UVVR
Department of Military Recovery (i.e. Construction) Works
Page 28 of 33

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
UVVS
Russian
-
Department of Air Force
,,
USPS, UNS, UPS
() -
Department of Military Field Construction
UVRS
Department of Military-Constuction Works
UVUZ
Department of Military Higher military education
UGMR, UGR
Department of State (material) reserves
UZPSV
UZTM
()

UIS
Deparment of Logistical Service
UK
Criminal code
UKA
HQ of Commander in Chief of Artillery
UKART
HQ of Commander of Artillery
UKMK
UNKVDMO
UNKVD
Department of Moscows Military Chief

Department of the NKVD for the city of Moscow and the
Moscow region
Department of the NKVD
UOO NKVD SSSR
Department of special sections of the NKVD of the USSR
UOS
Department of Defence Construction
UPVOSO
Department of military Transport Service
UPK
Criminal- procedural code
UR
Fortified region
US
Signals office center; strongpoint
USB
Ammo supplement department
USG
Fuel supplement deparmtnet
USSR
Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic
Page 29 of 33
Translated
Department of Orders and Production of Infantry Weapons

Urals Factory of Heavy Machine-Bulding

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
UT
Russian

Rear services department
UF
Ukrainian Front
Upravdel
business-manager
UrVO, UralVO
Urals Military District
F.
Fund
FAB
General purpose bomb
FAS
Fronts Aviation Supply Depot
FVAD
Fronts Military Automobile Road
FVL
Fronts Veterinary Hospital
FO
Financial Service (section)
FOG
FOTAB
FPAS
fougasse-type Flamethrower
Photography Air Bomb (i.e. special light bomb for Air Photo
Recon)
Fronts Field Artillery Supply Depot
FRS
Front managing-radio station
FU
Fincial Department
KhVO
Kharkovs Military District
KhZ
Chemical Defence (part of NBC defence)
KhPPG
TsA FSK
Surgical Mobile Field Hospital

Central Archive of Federal Contr-Espionage Service of
Russian Federation
TsAMO RF
TsVU
TsGA KFFD
Page 30 of 33
Translated
Central Archive of Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation

Central Military Department
Central Government Archive of Video, Photo and Audio
Documents

Russian
Full term
Transliterated
TsGA
Russian

TsGV
TsDKA
TsDS
Central Group of Troops

Central House of Red Army ( i.e. Culture Centre of Red
Army)
Central controller's service
TsIK
Central Executive Committee
TsK
Central Committee
TsKPUKG
TsNII
TsNIII IV
TsNIII
TsNIIIS
TsP
-
-

-
TsRS
Central switch (control) station
TsU
Central department
TsUPVOSO
Central department of military Transport Service
TsF
Central front
TsFTI
Central Physical Technical Insitute
ShVS
Member of Military Council
ChF
Black Sea Fleet
Chrezvychaikom
Chussnabarm,
Chuso
ShTARM, Shtarm
Extraordinary commission
Extraordinary of Soviet of Work and Defence for Army and
Navy Supply
Army headquarters
,
,
Page 31 of 33
Translated
Central Army Group
Central Command and Control HQ for Space Forces

Central Institute of Science and Developments.
Central Institute of Military Engineer Forces for Science,
Developments, and Tests
Central Institute of Science, Developments, and Tests
Central Institute of Communication for Science,
Developments, and Tests
Central Test Site

Full term
Russian
Transliterated
Shkrab
Russian

School worker
Shtadiv
Divisional headquarters
EVL
Veterinary Hospital for Evacuation
EON
Special Expedition
EPRON
Expedition of Special Underwater Works
Evakopunkt
evacuation point
YuGV
Southern Group of troops
YuZN
Southwestern department
YuZF
Southwestern front
YuF, Yuzhfront
Southern Front
YuzhUrVO
Southern-Ural military District
Page 32 of 33
Translated
Also can be translated as Independent.

Avtobronetankovyi direct translation Automobile and Armored special Russian term, roughly equal to armored
fighting vehicles. Describes all kinds of armored vehicles. Initially they were tanks and armored cars; later, armored
personnel carriers and self-propelled guns were included. Can be approximately translated as Armored Fighting Vehicle
(AFV) or Armored Forces.
2

Abbreviations in Military

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Abbreviations in military/historical publications

Self-propelled artillery regiment

Separate1 Signals regiment

Aviation reconnaissance regiment

Training artillery/aircraft regiment

First day of an operation (D-Day)

H: hour of the attack (H-Hour)

Army Artillery Repair Shop

Armored vehicleError: Reference source not found

Error: Reference source not found