Soldiers who have already earned their maroon berets watch as the hopefuls crawl through a muddy swamp
Daily Mail: Russian soldiers batter each other in bloody boxing bouts as part of gruelling endurance tests required to earn the maroon beret
* The special task force servicemen battled for the enviable status symbol in Mordovia on Friday
* Tests include a cross country race, 12-minute boxing matches and showing skills with weapons
* 'Psychological manipulation' group run alongside them hurling abuse and trying to put them off
Jaw-dropping pictures show Russian soldiers battering each other in boxing gloves and crawling through muddy swamps during a brutal endurance test.
Servicemen of the special task force units of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service were put through their paces on Friday as they battled for their maroon berets in Mordovia.
The enviable garment is a symbol of courage and competence which distinguishes specially-trained elite forces from regular soldiers.
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WNU editor: My cousin gave me his airborne blue beret when he got his maroon beret. And even though it has been many years since he served, that maroon beret holds a place of honor in his office.
