It was originally formed and based in Czechoslovakia with the Central Group of Forces but moved to Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast in 1990.

[1] The 442nd Missile Brigade was formed in September 1987 in Hvězdov (part of Ralsko),[2] part of the Central Group of Forces.

The brigade included the 404th, 440th and 535th Separate Missile Battalions, as well as a technical battery.

The brigade was equipped with the OTR-21 Tochka tactical ballistic missile.

In May 1990, the brigade withdrew from Czechoslovakia to Shuya and became part of the Moscow Military District.