Preobrazhensky Regiment

Lifeguard Preobrazhensky Regiment Regiment — III —
Preobrazhensky regiment fighting the battle for Paris 30 March 1814, with the Montmartre in the background.
Active	1683-1917
Country	Russian Empire
Branch	Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Garrison/HQ	St. Petersburg
Insignia
Banner of the regiment
Badge of the regiment

For the current Russian Army unit see: 154th Preobrazhensky Independent Commandant's Regiment

The Lifeguard Preobrazhensky Regiment (Russian: Лейб-гва́рдии Преображе́нский полк , translit. Leyb-gvardi Preobrazhensky polk), was one of the oldest and guard / elite regiments of the Imperial Russian Army, and in 2013 was recreated for the Russian Armed Forces. Along with the Semyonovsky Regiment, the Preobrazhensky Regiment also served as a gendarmerie unit for the state Secret Chancellery (secret police) in the 18th century, headed by the Prince Fyodor Romodanovsky.

It was formed by Peter the Great in the late 17th century from his poteshnye voiska (потешные войска, "toy forces") during his military games in the village of Preobrazhenskoye (now a district in Moscow). The Preobrazhensky regiment distinguished itself during the Great Northern War of 1700–1721, the Patriotic War of 1812, and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. The regiment was disbanded by its last commander, Colonel Alexander Kutepov (later a general) in December 1917.