One of the first engineering units founded in the Russian Empire was the Pososhniye lyudi, a collective name for conscripts in the Imperial Russian Army called up for military service from each sokha unit. In the late 17th century, the first engineering training maneuvers were carried out under the patronage of Peter I. The day of the Engineering Forces is recognized as 21 January 1701, with on the opening of the School of the Pushkar Order.