Error creating thumbnail: File missing Movie poster for 9th Company (2005) (Russia) Error creating thumbnail: File missing Russian language poster for 9th Company aka 9 POTA (2005) (Russia). Note: Though IMDB lists the Russian name as "9 POTA" the cyrillic in the poster reads 9 "Roh-ta" with the "r" rolled on the tip of the tongue like in Spanish. Thus the 'phonetic' English wording used for the International Title is actually incorrect.
9th Company (9 POTA ) is a 2005 Russian language film about a group of Soviet Recruits from Basic Training to combat in the mountains of Afghanistan, during the Afghan-Russo War (1979-1989). The story deals with the idealistic young Paratroopers, assigned to the 9th Company, who are fighting a desperate battle against the Mujahideen fighters in the final days of the doomed conflict. It is (loosely) based on the Battle for Hill 3234.
The following firearms are used in the film 9th Company :
Rifles AK-74 The AK-74 , the replacement for the iconic AK-47, is the main weapon of both Soviet Paratroopers and the Muhjadeen fighters.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing AK-74 - 5.45x39mm File:Cap308a.jpg The newly-arrived Recruits, armed with AK-74 rifles, ride to Hill 3234. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lyosha looks through the NSPU telescopic night sight fitted onto his AK-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Akhmet (Marat Gudiev ), a local Muhjadeen leader, carries an AK-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Giaconda Petrovsky (Soslan Fidarov ), carrying an AK-74 instead of the SVD Dragunov, is led through an Afghan village by a local in his search for matches. File:9thCo Korgaman AK-74.jpg Captain "Korgaman" Bystrov (Aleksey Kravchenko ), the commander of the 9th Company, tenses his finger on the trigger of his AK-74. File:Cap372a.jpg Soviet Vehicle Crewmen fire their AK-74 rifles when the convoy is ambushed. File:Cap274a.jpg Lyutyy (Artur Smolyaninov ) moves through an Afghan Village, armed with an AK-74. Stas (Artyom Mikhalkov ) searches the village. Stas aims his AK-74 at nearby sudden movement. File:9thCo Mujahideen AK-74.jpg A young Muhjadeen with his AK-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Kurbashi (Amadu Mamadakov ) and Warrant Officer Khokol Pogrebnyak (Fyodor Bondarchuk ) fire their AK-74 during the Muhjadeen attack. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lyutyy wildly fires his AK-74 during the last stand. AKS-74 Soviet Paratroopers use the AKS-74 , differentiated from the AK-74 by its folding stack (or lack of buttstock), in both training and combat in Afghanistan. The Muhjadeen fighters also use them. Their heavier-then-expected use amongst the 9th Company in both training and combat is undoubtedly due to their lightweight and the ability to fold the buttstock, making them ideal for paratroopers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing AKS-74 - 5.45x39mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vorobey (Aleksey Chadov ) crawls under barbed wire during a training exercise, holding an AKS-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Drill Sergeant Dygalo (Mikhail Porechenkov ) holds an AKS-74 fitted with a bayonet. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Stas (Artyom Mikhalkov ) uses his AKS-74 during bayonet practice. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet recruit fires his AKS-74 on the rifle range. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Giaconda Petrovsky (Soslan Fidarov ) trades his AKS-74 for an SVD Dragunov. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet Paratrooper holds an AKS-74. Note the magazines taped together "jungle-style." Error creating thumbnail: File missing Afanasiy (Dmitriy Mukhamadeev ) holds his AKS-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen fighter fires his AKS-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Petrovsky exits a bunker, his AKS slung around his back. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet Paratrooper armed with an AKS-74 fires at the Muhjadeen from a bunker. Dragunov SVD An SVD Dragunov is issued to Giaconda Petrovsky (Soslan Fidarov ), whom is an excellent marksman.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing SVD Dragunov sniper rifle - 7.6x54mm R Error creating thumbnail: File missing Giaconda Petrovsky (Soslan Fidarov ) chambers a round into the SVD Dragunov... Error creating thumbnail: File missing ...Then Petrovsky fires. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Petrovsky with his Dragunov. Note the soldier next to him (Lyosha) using an AK-74 fitted with an NSPU telescopic night sight. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Worm's-Eye view of Petrovsky with the Dragunov. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Petrovsky cradles his Dragunov as the 9th Company is confronted with the few survivors of a Muhjadeen attack. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Petrovsky takes down a Muhjadeen with his Dragunov. Machine Guns PKM Machine Gun Several 9th Company Paratroopers use the PKM Machine Gun : Chugainov (Ivan Kokorin ) is given Samylin's old gun, which suffered a bend in the barrel due to a hand grenade explosion. He can be seen in one scene trying to sight it to fire at a rock 3m away. One of the paratroopers grabs the barrel of his PKM to bash a Mujahideen and sustains 3rd degree burns in the process.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing PKM with classic (most seen) version of the flash hider - 7.62x54mm R Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chugainov (Ivan Kokorin ) is issued the PKM Machine Gun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chugainov attempts to sight in the PKM. Note the bent barrel. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chugainov fires the PKM. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen fires his PKM from the hip. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chugainov loads a belt of 7.62x54mm into the chamber of his PKM. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chugainov carries his PKM, holding it by the bipod, as he and the 9th Company search an Afghan village. File:9thCo Mujahideen PKM 3.jpg A Muhjadeen fires his PKM. File:9thCo Chugainov PKM 5.jpg Chugainov picks up his PKM. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A 9th Company Paratrooper fires his PKM. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Chugainov fires his PKM. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The PKM continues to fire even after Chugainov is knocked down by enemy fire. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lyutyy (Artur Smolyaninov ) leads a charge with the PKM. RPK-74 Light Machine Gun Soviet Paratroopers and their Afghan allies can be occasionally seen using the RPK-74 Light Machine Gun .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing RPK-74 Light Machine Gun with 45-round box magazine - 5.45x39mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet recruit carries an RPK-74 on a field march. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An RPK sits mounted on a barrel at a friendly Afghan checkpoint. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Paratrooper operating a minesweeper carries an RPK slung around his back. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier on the far left has an RPK-74 deployed on a rock. KPVT Heavy Machine Gun The KPVT Heavy Machine Gun is mounted on BTR-60 APC's and BRDM-2 scout vehicles used by the Soviet Army in the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing KPVT Heavy Machine Gun - 14.5x114mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A KPVT Heavy Machine Gun is visible mounted on the turret of a Soviet BRDM-2. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Close-up of a turret mounted KPVT as the 9th Company returns to base after successfully defending Hill 3234. NSV Heavy Machine Gun The NSV Heavy Machine Gun is used as a mounted heavy machine gun by Soviet Paratroopers on Hill 3234. Additional NSVT's are seen mounted at the Commander's hatches of T-64 tanks (despite the T-64 being incorrect for the Soviet war in Afghanistan; these tanks are possibly standing in for the similar T-72).
Tripod-mounted NSV heavy machine gun with ammo box and belt - 12.7x107mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A tripod-mounted NSV Heavy Machine Gun sits at the Anava Outpost. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Machine Gun crew open up with the NSV. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A good look at the tripod as the crew are forced to duck behind cover. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A 9th Company paratrooper lugs an NSV during the climb to Hill 3234. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A 9th Company Gun crew set up their NSV. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Gun crew man their NSV. The NSV is clearly visible behind the head of this Paratrooper as it opens up on Mujahideen fighters during the convoy ambush. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 9th Company Paratroopers open up on the charging Muhjadeen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An NSVT Heavy Machine Gun is visible on the T-64 tank leading the convoy. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An unmanned NSVT sits on the turret of the T-64. Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 The Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 is mounted on the Soviet Mi-24P Gunships which come to the rescue of 9th Company during the final assault.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 30mm automatic cannon - 30x165mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GSh-30-2K 30mm automatic cannon is visible mounted on the Mi-24P Gunship escorting the 9th Company convoy into the mountains of Afghanistan. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mi-24P Gunships rattle away with GSh-30-2K 30mm automatic cannon. ZU-23-2 The ZU-23-2 Anti-Aircraft Gun is seen at Bagram Airbase and mounted at the Anava Outpost.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing ZU-23-2 - 23mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A ZU-23-2 Anti-Aircraft Gun is visible at the Anava Outpost on the far right of this screenshot. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The ZU-23-2 AA Gun is visible in the left foreground. Launchers GP-25 Grenade Launcher The AK-74 mounted GP-25 grenade launcher is used by Warrant Officer Khokol Pogrebnyak (Fyodor Bondarchuk ) and Afanasiy (Dmitriy Mukhamadeev ). This Grenade Launcher was first introduced in the 1980s and was referred to as the BG15. A later updated version would be the GP-30.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing GP-25 grenade launcher - 40mm File:9thCo Pogrebnyak GP-25.jpg Warrant Officer Khokol Pogrebnyak's (Fyodor Bondarchuk ) AK-74, fitted with a GP-25 Grenade Launcher, is visible in the center. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pogrebnyak on patrol with his AK-74 and GP-25. File:9thPlatoonAmbushed.jpg Pogrebnyak fires his AK-74, GP-25 a mounted on the barrel. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pogrebnyak with his AK-74 and GP-25. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GP-25 is clearly visible as Pogrebnyak fires his AK-74. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pogrebnyak loads a 40mm High-Explosive Round into his GP-25. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Afanasiy (Dmitriy Mukhamadeev ) loads a 40mm HE into his GP-25. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pogrebnyak fires a flare from his GP-25. RPG-7 The RPG-7 , mounted with a PGO-7 scope, is used by the Mujahideen alongside RPG-18s to attack the 9th Company. They are also carried by Soviet Paratroopers, but without a scope. A glaring error is that in several shots it is apparent that there is no loaded rocket when the RPG is fired.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing RPG-7 - 40mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet recruit holds an RPG-7 over his head during a march. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A 9th Company Paratrooper climbs up to Hill 3234, carrying a slung RPG-7. Error creating thumbnail: File missing RPG-7 with PG-7VM rocket and PGO-7 scope - 40mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen fires an RPG-7 fitted with a PGO-7 scope at 9th Company. In a glaring error, there is actually no rocket visible before and when he fires. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another Muhjadeen fires an RPG-7. The same error in the above shot is repeated in this one. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen attaches a PG-7VM rocket to his RPG. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Muhjadeen fires his RPG-7. RPG-18 The disposable, single-shot RPG-18 launcher is used by Mujahideen to attack the Soviets. Soviet Paratroopers also carry and operate them.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing RPG-18 - 64mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Soviet Paratrooper fires at Muhjadeen positions with his RPG-18. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lyutyy (Artur Smolyaninov ) climbs to Hill 3234, carrying an RPG-18 around his shoulders. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A pair of Muhjadeen fire their RPG-18's at a Soviet Convoy. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen fires his RPG-18. Note the second tube slung around his back. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen fighter fires his RPG-18 at the Soviets. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Muhjadeen fires his RPG-18 as a second disposes of his used tube. Grenades F-1 Hand Grenade The main grenade carried by the Soviet Paratroopers is the World War Two-era F-1 Hand Grenade , even though the RGD-5 was standard issue from the 1960's onward.
F-1 High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lyosha pulls the pin on an F-1 Hand Grenade. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A 9th Company paratrooper pockets an F-1 Hand Grenade. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lyutyy (Artur Smolyaninov ) throws an F-1 Hand Grenade. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vorobey (Aleksey Chadov ) prepares an F-1 Hand Grenade. RGD-5 Hand Grenade Giaconda Petrovsky (Soslan Fidarov ) throws an RGD-5 Hand Grenade into a Mujahideen tunnel complex in the aftermath of the Convoy Ambush.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing RGD-5 High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade Error creating thumbnail: File missing An RGD-5 Hand Grenade thrown by Giaconda Petrovsky (Soslan Fidarov ) rolls into a hole used by the Muhjadeen to escape. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The grenade goes "boom!" This scene is noteworthy for two reasons: the non-Hollywood explosion and by illustrating the ease at which the Muhjadeen are able to escape the Soviets. One hole for every man. Fake Antitank Grenade A dummy Antitank Grenade is used by Vorobey (Aleksey Chadov ) in an exercise during training.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vorobey (Aleksey Chadov ) readies the fake Antitank Grenade. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vorobey hurls the dummy grenade at a Soviet T-72. 
