Lieutenant colonel (Eastern Europe)
Podpolkovnik () is a military rank in Slavic and nearby countries which corresponds to the lieutenant colonel in the English-speaking states and military. In different languages the exact name of this rank maintains a variety of spellings. The transliteration is also in common usage for the sake of tradition dating back to the Old Slavonic word "polk" (literally: regiment sized unit), and include the following names in alphabetical order: Russia. In Russia, the rank of Lieutenant colonel is called (). First it appeared in Russia as appointment or assignment to the assistant or deputy commander of a  regiment sized military formation at the end of the 15th — early 16th century. In the Streltsy formations, as a general role, the was responsible for all administrative tasks and functions. Normally it was of Nobility or Boyar origin. From the 17th - to early 17th century there was a rank and an appointment under the designation (). Beyond its normal responsibilities, he was in charge to command the second half of the regiment, the rear -, reserve -, and other regular units (until the introduction of the battalion structure). Russian Empire. From the introduction of the Russian table of ranks to the abolishment in  1917 was quoted to rank positioned VII, and until 1856 it was privileged by hereditary nobility. In 1884, as the rank in the Russian army was suppressed, all , by exemption of retirement, loss of civil rights, or mercilessly, were converted to . From this moment, the rank was equivalent to the rank "armed forces' " (, ). Before 1884, the "armed forces' starshina" was adequate to . In line to this reform, the shoulder board rank insignia had been changed from two big stars to three smaller ones. To the formations of the so-called leyb-guard (), the rank had not been introduced. Normally, officers  might have been promoted to immediately, by skipping the ranks and . In the Imperial Russian Navy, the rank "Kapitan 2nd rank" was equivalent to , in the civil administration it was corresponding to privy councillor (). The rank was abolished 16 December 1917, together with all previous ranks and rank insignia of the former Russian imperial army. In the white voluntary army the rank was in the period from December 1917 to November 1918. Than it was abolished as well, and harmonized to the Kapitan ranks of the guard and other officers of the other formations. However, in the Russian army of  general Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel the "podpolkovnik" rank was reestablished in April 1920. USSR. By foundation of the Soviet Union the rank designation and rank insignia of the Imperial Russian Army were suppressed. An equivalent rank to "podpolkovnik" was created in 1924, by the introduction of the so-called "status category 8 rank" – (; ). However, this was overtaken by the introduction of individual ranks in 1935. "Podpolkovnik" as a military rank was reintroduced September 1, 1939 by disposal of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union (from September 2, 1939), and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR No . 2690 (article 41, pertaining the law of universal compulsory military service), published by the order No. 226 of the People's Commissar of Defence (from July 26, 1940). The Red Army used this rank together with a number of other former Russian ranks, and it has been used in many ex-USSR countries, including Russia, to the present day. By the first promotion to that particular rank the hitherto (old) "polkovnik" collar distinction insignia with three parallel bars had to be used. The new "polkovnik" rank was from now on characterized by four bars. This insignia had to be worn  until the introduction of shoulder boards, and were finally replaced in 1943. In the Soviet navy the rank "kapitan 2nd rank" was equivalent to "podpolkovnik". In the civil administration it was corresponding to privy councillor (). The rank "podpolkovnik" was abolished 16 December 1917, together with all previous ranks and rank insignia of the former Russian imperial army. In the military political organization it was equivalent to "starshy battalion commissar" (), another corresponding rank designation was "Specialist 1st rank" (pertaining to: military engineers, surgeons, commissionaires, veterinary surgeons, and legal personnel). In late 1943 shoulder boards were reintroduced as rank designation. From this  moment in the "podpolkovnik" rank of the Red Army was specified by two big horizontal stars, on shoulder boards, with parallel piping (two straps). The stars had to be established on a distance of 35 mm from the lower end of the shoulder board (Rules to wear military uniforms in the Soviet Army and the Navy). From 7 November 1944 the stars were pinned direct (symmetrically to the piping) on piping. Russian Federation. If military personnel serves in a guards formation, or on a guards war ship, to the rank designation will be placed in front the noun guards (e.g.  Gurds podpolkovnik""). Civil – or military personnel with a specific defined level of expertise or knowledge in medical or judicial professions, to the military rank will be added the noun "legal or the wording "medical service". Further adding to the military rank designation might be "retired" or "on retirement". Personnel serving in the executive of the Russian Federation might be specified by rank designation as follows.