Getting to know special forces from around the world (14 photos). The ten most formidable special forces in the world were named in the United States
A special forces unit is a unique type of military or police force designed to fight and destroy terrorist groups, conduct special operations, organize guerrilla warfare, acts of sabotage deep behind enemy lines and perform other complex combat missions. The personnel of these troops have high combat, fire, physical and psychological training, whose task is to solve specific combat missions by forceful methods in extremely extreme conditions using special tactics and means. Below is a list of the best special forces units in the world. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the ranking of the best intelligence services in the world.
10 Marcos, India
Marcos is an elite special forces member of the Indian Navy. It was created in February 1987 to conduct special operations such as unconventional warfare, maritime hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism in sea conditions, reconnaissance, etc. The fighters of the “Marcos” unit are capable of conducting operations on all types of terrain, but specialize in naval ones. Currently it has about two thousand personnel, although the real number of the detachment is classified.
9 GIS, Italy
In ninth place in the ranking of the best special forces units is GIS - a special forces unit formed on February 6, 1978 to combat the growing threat of terrorism. Nowadays he specializes in counter-terrorism operations and hostage rescue.
8 SSG, Pakistan
The eighth place in the list of the best special forces units in the world is occupied by the SSG - the Pakistani army special forces, founded in 1956. It is analogous to the American Green Berets and the British SAS. Participated in Afghan war(1979–1989) on the side of the Mujahideen. Today, the detachment is actively involved in anti-terrorist operations in Pakistan. The official number is 2,100 fighters.
7 EKO Cobra, Austria
EKO Cobra is an anti-terrorism unit created in 1978, initially to protect Jewish immigrants from attacks by Palestinian militant groups, and also in response to the terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 members of the Israeli team were killed by terrorists. As of 2013, the unit has approximately 670 members, including two women.
6 Alpha, Russia
Alpha is a special unit formed on July 29, 1974 in the USSR on the initiative of the KGB (continues its activities in Russia) to conduct counter-terrorism special operations using special tactics and means. Nowadays, the main tasks of the detachment are to prevent terrorist acts, search for, neutralize terrorists, release hostages, etc. In the days of the former Soviet Union actively participated in pacifying riots in prisons and correctional camps.
5 GIGN, France
GIGN is an elite anti-terrorist unit of the French gendarmerie, created in 1973 after the events that occurred at the Munich Olympics in 1972. The main tasks of the unit are to fight terrorism, suppress uprisings in prisons, neutralize dangerous criminals and free hostages. During its existence, the fighters of the GIGN unit took part in about 1000 operations, freed approximately 500 hostages, arrested 1000 and killed hundreds of criminals, while losing only two fighters directly during operations and seven during exercises. The number of the unit is 380 people.
4 GSG 9, Germany
GSG 9 is a special unit created in September 1973 with the aim of suppressing terrorist activities in Germany after the terrorist attack that occurred at the Munich Olympics. The main tasks of the unit are the fight against terrorism, the release of hostages, the protection of important persons and territories, conducting sniper operations, etc. The number of the detachment is 300 people. From the beginning of its existence to 2003, more than 1,500 successful operations were carried out.
3 Sayeret Matkal, Israel
Sayeret Matkal or "Detachment 269" is a special forces unit of the Israeli army, formed on the model of the British SAS in 1957 by officer Abraham Arnan. Sayeret Matkal can conduct a wide range of special operations, including reconnaissance and information gathering on the battlefield, combating terrorism, carrying out special operations behind enemy lines, releasing hostages, etc. Over the last 50 years of its existence, the detachment has taken part in more than than 1000 operations, including 200 outside Israel.
2 Navy SEAL, USA
Second place in the list of the best special forces units in the world is occupied by the Navy SEAL or “Navy Seals” - a special forces unit of the US Navy, formed in 1962. The main task of the detachment is reconnaissance, sabotage operations and hostage rescue. They took part in all US military operations without exception (the war in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.).
1 SAS, UK
The best special forces in the world is the SAS - a special unit of the British Armed Forces, founded on May 31, 1950. Served as a model for special forces units in many other countries. The main tasks of the detachment are to conduct anti-terrorist operations, free hostages, train special forces soldiers from other countries, etc. The detachment gained fame and recognition throughout the world in 1980 after the successful storming of the Iranian embassy in London and the rescue of hostages.
Do you remember the old Soviet joke? At a meeting at NATO, generals decide in which army in the world, which elite units are best trained. English Green Berets? Or American Navy SEALs? Or someone else? Finally, one old general says that the most terrible troops are in the Soviet Union. They are called a strange word, construction battalion, and due to their special savagery, they are not even trusted with weapons. The Soviet Union conveniently collapsed. IN Russian army the construction battalion was abolished (replacing it with more favorable phrases “railway troops” and “engineering troops”), but still, it is interesting to know which country the strongest belong to elite troops special purpose.
Of course, it is difficult to compare these troops with each other, since it is impossible to hold a tournament between them according to the Olympic system in the manner of gladiator fights practiced in Ancient Rome, but you can try to evaluate the entry requirements, training, as well as the track record of these military formations. So….
8. Black Stork Squad, Pakistan
A special forces group that got its name from its unique headgear. During training, the fighters of this unit must complete a forced march of 58 km in 12 hours and, with full equipment, run 8 km in 50 minutes. It fights mainly against Afghans, including the Taliban.
7. Special Operations Unit of the Spanish Navy
Created in 1952, initially only volunteers were recruited there. It was called a “company of mountaineering divers” (the original name, isn’t it?) Later it was transformed into an elite unit. The selection for this unit is very strict. Based on the results of the qualifying course, 70-80% of applicants are usually eliminated.
6. Russian special forces "Alpha"
Created in 1974, of course, under the KGB, later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it came under the control of the FSB. After the collapse of the Union, this special unit clearly had more work. All kinds of operations in the North Caucasus and beyond. Alpha fighters fight both terrorists and representatives organized crime. Both of them, as you understand, are an order of magnitude greater in Russia than in former USSR. What can you do, the world is changing.
Alpha is still criticized for Beslan and Nord-Ost to this day, blaming the security forces for an unjustifiably large number of victims. But, it must be said that in the same notorious Moscow theater, the Alfovites corrected the mistakes of other people who showed phenomenal carelessness and indifference. The result was 129 dead hostages, mainly from the effects of paralytic gas. Nevertheless, the professionalism and highest fighting qualities of the Alpha fighters are beyond doubt. Suffice it to recall the storming of Amin’s palace in Kabul in 1979, numerous operations in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and other hot spots.
For example, the liquidation of the leader of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov and the representative of Al-Qaeda in Chechnya and adjacent regions of Abu Havs, the release of hostages in Mineralnye Vody in 2001. As for criticism, it seems that the peculiarities of the Russian mentality have an effect. Criticize, look for the guilty, and sometimes even curse, accusing of all known mortal sins, but when it gets hot, tearfully beg for help.
5. Special forces of the French gendarmerie, the so-called intervention group. GIGN
The main combat missions are operations to free hostages, this is the specificity of the group. When seizing the Al-Harak Mosque in 1979 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, special forces were faced with the fact that only Muslims could be allowed into the territory of the holy city. Then three fighters of the group converted to Islam, and after that they immediately joined the troops Saudi Arabia who liberated the mosque from terrorists.
In total, the group’s combat account includes more than 600 freed hostages.
4. Special unit Sayeret Matkal, Israel
The main tasks are reconnaissance and information collection. Therefore, the fighters of this unit spend a lot of time behind enemy lines. Not everyone can withstand the extreme stress of the qualifying course (gibusha). Training is carried out under the supervision of doctors and a psychologist. Based on the results of the death, only the best are accepted into the unit.
One of the group's most memorable operations was the release of an Israeli taxi driver named Ilyahu Gurel, who had been kidnapped by three Palestinians whom he had taken to Jerusalem. His captors held him in a 10-meter shaft in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Ramallah. However, special forces soldiers found him there too. As for the terrorists, they were given what they deserved.
3. UK Special Air Service, or SAS (Special Air Service)
This is, in a way, a double of the SBS Marine Corps special unit. The motto of this unit is “He who takes risks wins.” The SAS saw action in Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. As American General Stanley McChrystal noted, “Their participation was critical. We couldn't have done it without them." This statement best characterizes the role of the SAS in those events, as well as the level of combat training.
2. Special unit of the British Marine Corps - SBS (Special Boat Service)
There is also a very tough selection and high intensity of training. The training course includes all kinds of endurance tests, training in survival skills in combat conditions, training in the jungles of Belize, plus intensive interrogation of candidates for admission. You can take the test course no more than twice.
1. SEALs are an elite unit of the US Armed Forces
The main tactical unit of the US Navy's special operations forces. They are mainly engaged in reconnaissance, sabotage activities and the release of hostages, and also solve other tactical tasks (mine clearance, combating illegal border crossings).
The formation of the detachment began in 1962. First of all, fighters who could swim well, shoot and wield bladed weapons were selected for the detachment.
From 1962 to 1973, SEALs fought in Vietnam, both as part of reconnaissance teams and as instructors for Vietnamese soldiers. Invaded Grenada (Operation Flash of Fury, 1983). Participated in the Gulf War (Operation Main Chance). They fought in Panama and Afghanistan. On May 2, 2011, a Navy Special Forces team conducted a successful operation to eliminate Bin Laden.
The specificity of training fur seals is that they perceive water not as an obstacle, but as a natural environment. Service in the SEAL places increased demands on the health of fighters, both physical and psychological, and therefore the training there is appropriate. What is the “hell week” worth, when for 5 days fighters sleep only 4 hours a day, and the rest of the time is occupied with survival tests.
The motto of the Navy SEALs - “the only easy day was yesterday” - clearly indicates the progressive nature of the loads, which would already seem prohibitive to an ordinary person.
Special forces are the elite of the troops of any country, which recruits not just the best fighters, but the very best. Next, we will get acquainted with special forces from different countries of the world, find out what tasks military personnel perform, and what requirements are placed on them.
"Alpha", Russia.
Alpha Squad is the elite of Soviet and Russian special forces and is known as one of the most effective and experienced law enforcement units in the world. The special unit is designed to conduct counter-terrorism operations using special tactics and means.
Preventing terrorist attacks.
Search, neutralize or eliminate terrorists.
Release of hostages.
Participation in special operations in “hot spots”.
Requirements for candidates:
Active officers or cadets of military schools.
Recommendation from an existing or former employee"Alpha" or "Vympel".
Age limit: not older than 28 years.
Height: not lower than 175 cm.
Standards:
Cross-country running: 3 km in no more than 10 minutes 30 seconds.
Sprint race: 100 meters in no more than 12.7 seconds.
Pull-ups: 25 times.
Push-ups: 90 times.
Abdominal flexion and extension: 90 times in no more than 2 minutes.
Bodyweight bench press: 10 reps.
Complex strength exercise 7 cycles in a row, no more than 40 seconds each cycle:
15 push-ups;
15 flexions and extensions of the torso in a lying position;
15 transitions from the position “crouched” to “lying” and back;
15 jumps from a crouched position.
Features of preparation:
Three minutes after the physical test, you must demonstrate hand-to-hand combat skills. In this case, the candidate performs in a helmet, gloves and protective pads on the legs and groin. He is opposed by an instructor or an employee of the FSB Special Purpose Center well trained in hand-to-hand combat. The fight lasts 3 rounds. Next: a medical commission, a special check to identify unwanted relationships with the candidate himself or his relatives, examination by psychologists and a polygraph. Based on the results of each study, the candidate is awarded points, which are then summed up and a final decision is made.
2. “Yamam”, Israel.
Yamam is an elite unit of the Israeli Border Police. "Yamam" has the highest level of shooting training among all Israeli special forces. “Yamam” fighters have been taking personal and team prizes at all security forces shooting competitions for years now. Yamama snipers are at much more high level than their army counterparts.
Release of hostages.
Conducting rescue operations and raids in civilian areas.
Recruitment and intelligence work.
Requirements for candidates:
Age from 22 to 30 years.
Be an active member of the army, police or border troops.
Have service experience in combat units of at least three years.
Standards:
Pull-ups: 25 times.
Fist push-ups with weight on back: 100 reps.
Abdominal flexion and extension: 300 times.
Cross running with 15–20 kg equipment: 8 km in no more than 38 minutes.
Climbing a 7-meter rope: no more than 7 seconds.
Freestyle swim: 50 meters in no more than 35 seconds.
Swim underwater: 50 meters.
Swim with hands tied and legs: 50 meters.
Features of preparation:
The course includes running on rooftops, climbing a building drainpipe, escape from captivity and survival, during which the reaction to stress is tested. The next exercise is a fight with guard dog from the canine unit of the gendarmerie corps, specially trained to attack a person. Here they study the fighter’s reaction to an attack: whether he will be confused, how aggressive he will be.
SAS, UK.
As part of the UK Special Forces, the Special Airborne Service ground forces- CAC occupies a special place. The SAS is one of the oldest and most highly trained special forces units in the world. The SAS's rich experience in anti-guerrilla and counter-terrorism operations forced the special forces of various states to copy its tactics. Including: American Green Berets and Delta.
Conducting reconnaissance and carrying out sabotage and subversive actions deep behind enemy lines.
Anti-terrorist operations both domestically and abroad.
Training of special forces soldiers from other countries.
Release of hostages.
Requirements for candidates:
Service experience in other military units is required.
Age from 25 to 30 years.
Excellent physical and mental health.
Standards:
Cross-country running: 2.5 km in no more than 12 minutes.
Forced march with full equipment: 64 km in no more than 20 hours.
Fire training: hit 6 targets at least twice each with 13 rounds of ammunition.
Parachute training: 40 jumps day and night with a load of 50 kg.
Features of preparation:
Instructors greet candidates with the words: “We will not select you. We will give you such a load that you will die. The one who survives will learn further.” And words do not differ from deeds. About one candidate out of ten passes. What does it cost just to take a month-long training course to resist special interrogation methods? Each cadet also undergoes mandatory training in the jungle.
4. GSG-9, Germany.
GSG 9 is a special forces unit of the German Federal Police. The special group is directly and solely subordinate to the German Minister of the Interior; the commander of the special unit is ready to take action around the clock. After the command of the German Minister of the Interior, the group is ready to go anywhere globe where the incident took place. Such management helps to avoid unnecessary deployment of GSG 9 in minor operations that less capable units can respond to.
Release of hostages.
Security of high-ranking officials and particularly important government facilities.
Operations to eliminate terrorists.
Implementation and development of methods and tactics for all of the above types of activities.
Requirements for candidates:
Secondary or higher education.
Citizenship of Germany or EU country.
Age from 18 to 24 years.
Excellent knowledge of English or French.
Swimming category.
Standards:
Five inversion lifts in full equipment.
Overcoming an obstacle course in 1 minute 40 seconds.
Forced march with full gear and additional weight of 25 kg: 7 km in no more than 52 minutes.
Swim: 500 meters in no more than 13 minutes.
Features of preparation:
The peak of physical stress is the third week, when candidates in groups make long treks over the rugged terrain of the Black Forest. At the same time, they are transferred heavy objects over a long distance, the wounded are transported, uphill and downhill with full equipment. All this is accompanied by restriction of sleep and food. Finally, candidates take various tests of psychological stability.
5. Chinese special forces.
Today, the Chinese army has seven groups ready to carry out special operations. Each military district has one such unit, which is directly subordinate to the district chief of staff.
Special intelligence activities.
Conducting short, small-scale offensive operations behind enemy lines.
Requirements for candidates:
Age from 18 to 32 years.
Excellent physical and mental health.
Passing a physical fitness test.
Standards:
Climbing brick wall buildings to the 5th floor without improvised means in 30 seconds.
Swim in full gear: 5 km in no more than 1 hour 20 minutes.
Pull ups and push-ups on parallel bars: at least 200 times a day.
Lifting a dumbbell weighing 35 kg: 60 times, in no more than 60 seconds.
Lying front push: 100 times, no more than 60 seconds.
Throwing a grenade: 100 times at a distance of at least 50 meters.
Features of preparation:
The physical training process of Chinese special forces is often called “the descent into hell.” Every day, morning and evening, cross-country running in full gear and an additional backpack with ten bricks. In this case, a distance of 5 kilometers should be covered in no more than 25 minutes. After completing the run, the fighters move on to the “Iron Palm” exercise. The fighter must deliver 300 blows to the bag, first with beans, then with iron filings. In exactly the same way, standards for fists, elbows, knees and feet are subsequently worked out.
GROM, Poland.
GROM - Polish military unit special purpose. Prepared for special operations, including counter-terrorism, both in peacetime and during crisis or war. Since its inception, the unit has been completely professional.
Release of hostages.
Anti-terrorism operations.
Evacuation of civilians from a war zone.
Conducting reconnaissance operations.
Requirements for candidates:
Age from 24 to 30 years.
Excellent physical and mental health.
Resistance to stress.
Ability to drive a car.
Standards:
Cross-country running: 3.5 km in no more than 12 minutes.
Climbing a rope without using your legs: 5 meters twice in a row.
Bench press with your own body weight.
Pull-ups: 25 times.
Push-ups: at least 30 times.
Swim: 200 meters in no more than 4 minutes.
Swim underwater: 25 meters.
Features of preparation:
All candidates who submit applications first undergo a psychophysiological test. After this, as a rule, no more than 10–15 percent of total number candidates. People from both the country's police units and civilian structures can come to serve in the Polish special forces. But civilians must first complete a basic police course before joining a SWAT team.
Special Forces "Delta", USA.
According to official documents, the Delta group is intended for covert combat operations outside the United States, on the territory of other countries. Missions for Delta Force are to combat terrorism, popular uprisings, national intervention, although this group is also aimed at carrying out secret missions, including but not limited to the rescue of civilians and invasion.
Release of hostages.
Release of American military personnel captured.
Fighting terrorists and partisans.
Capture or destroy military and political leaders hostile to the United States.
Capturing secret documents, samples of weapons, military and other secret equipment.
Requirements for candidates:
American citizenship only.
Age from 22 to 35 years.
Length of service in American armed forces at least 4 years.
Excellent physical and mental health.
Skydiving experience.
Highly qualified in two military specialties.
Standards:
Push-ups: 40 times in 1 minute.
Squats: 40 times in 1 minute.
Cross-country running: 3.2 km in no more than 16 minutes.
Crawling on your back 20 meters feet first in 25 seconds.
Overcoming an obstacle course of 14.6 meters in 24 seconds.
Swimming in clothes and combat boots for 100 meters without timing.
Features of preparation:
Candidates perform a forced march with backpacks weighing from 18 to 23 kg and a rifle in their hands. Their path lies through hills, forests and rivers, and the distance of this path ranges between 29 and 64 km. Along the road, every 8–12 km there are checkpoints where candidates must go and where observers sit. To successfully overcome this test, you must maintain an average speed of at least 4 km per hour and be well oriented in unfamiliar terrain.
These units are involved in the most difficult situations, where conventional power structures are usually powerless. They are called the special forces elite. They are available in many countries, but this review includes only the best of the best.
Sayeret Matkal (IDF Special Forces) Israel
The special squad was formed in 1957 by an officer named Abraham Arnan. When creating the Israeli “unit 269,” they were guided by the methods of preparing and carrying out operations of the British SAS special forces. (more on them later). The number and location of Sayeret Matkal are strictly classified. There is no accurate information in the open press about the structure of the detachment. The list of functions of the unit includes: counter-terrorism, reconnaissance and hostage rescue.
Israeli specialists are true masters of their craft. In order to join the ranks of such an elite unit in the country, conscripted soldiers undergo a long training course, which lasts 18-19 months. There are the following stages of preparation:
- four month basic course
- two-month advanced infantry training course
- three week parachute course
- five-week anti-terrorism training
The rest of the time is spent training under the Sayeret Matkal program with an emphasis on acting alone, in isolation from the main forces, deep behind enemy lines.
One of the most high-profile operations of “unit 269” was the release of passengers from an Air France plane hijacked by terrorists from the PFLP organizations in Uganda. As a result, 102 out of 106 hostages were rescued. The casualties were the detachment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu.
SAS(Special Air Service) Special air service. United Kingdom
The SAS is one of the oldest and most highly trained special forces units in the world. The unit was formed on 24 August 1941 by Lieutenant David Stirling of the Scots Guards. It was he who was able to convince the British command to drop special forces behind enemy lines using parachutes, hence the name.
The basis of the SAS consists of three separate regiments (21, 22 and 23rd), which in wartime are transferred to the operational subordination of the command of the British Armed Forces. Each regiment corresponds to a battalion in size. Specifically, the 22nd Regiment = “Increment” works in the interests of the notorious Secret Service MI-8. In fact, SAS specializes in military operations of increased complexity, but the special company “Squadron E” settled within the 22nd Regiment. It is she who is focused on anti-terrorist operations.
The most famous SAS operation was the release of hostages at the Iranian embassy in London in 1980. The entire operation took no more than 17 minutes. As a result, 1 hostage was killed, 1 was wounded, the rest were successfully rescued. All terrorists except one were destroyed.
I would like to add that SAS soldiers love to “play around with gas”, as a result of which a gas mask is an integral part of their equipment.
GSG 9 (Germany)
GSG 9 was formed in September 1973, exactly one year after the Munich Massacre, where Olympic athletes tragically died at the hands of terrorists. It was this event that prompted the German authorities to create GSG 9.
The name GSG 9 means "Grenz Schutz Gruppe 9" - border security group, and the number nine was chosen simply because the then border security group in Germany already had eight regular border groups at that time.
GSG 9 is divided into several subgroups, each of which has its own specialization:
1st subgroup – regular operations
2nd subgroup - maritime operations
3rd subgroup - airborne operations
4th subgroup – technical and technological support
As for preparation, everything is serious here. The 22-week training course includes 13 weeks of basic training and 9 weeks of advanced training. In addition to the medical tests, there are also minimum physical requirements, such as running 5,000 meters in 23 minutes and jumping at least 4.75 meters. According to statistics, only one out of five candidates successfully completes the training course, which is not surprising.
One of GSG 9's most famous operations is the rescue of plane hostages in Somalia, Operation Magic Fire. The operation took 7 minutes. As a result, all the hostages were rescued, the terrorists were eliminated, and the German special forces were left without losses.
ST-6 (Seal Team Six) (USA)
The ST-6 team, or better known to us as the SEALs, was created after the failure of Operation Eagle Claw in Tehran in April 1980, the purpose of which was to free hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran. The main area of activity of the team is conducting special operations to free hostages and capture criminals suspected of committing crimes against humanity, war crimes, as well as members of terrorist organizations.
The ST-6 squad is used only in the most difficult missions, where ordinary special forces are simply powerless. The fighters are distinguished by good training and the necessary cruelty.
One of ST-6's most famous operations was the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011.
Most information regarding ST-6 is classified, and the details of its activities are usually not commented on at the official level.
Alpha. Directorate "A" (Russia)
The Alpha special unit was originally created in the 7th Directorate of the KGB of the USSR on the initiative of Yuri Andropov himself after the tragedy at the Munich Olympics. The special unit is designed to conduct counter-terrorism special operations using special tactics and means.
Alpha fighters undergo a rigorous selection process in order to join the ranks of the elite unit. Only officers with higher education, the highest physical fitness:
- Pull-ups on the bar: 25 times
- Push-ups: 90 times
- Press: 100 times
- Running: 100 m - 12.7
- Bench press: 10 times (body weight)
- Cross: 3000 m - 11.00 min
- Hand-to-hand combat demonstration (stand for 3 minutes against a trained employee or instructor)
- Jumping up with changing legs: 90 times
Among other things, the fighters undergo special psychological training, which is perhaps comparable to the training of specialists from the Israeli Sayeret Matkal.
Among the most high-profile operations of the group are the capture of Amin's palace in Kabul in 1979, the release of more than 750 hostages at the Dubrovka Theater Center in 2002 (41 terrorists were killed), the liberation of a school in Beslan in 2004 (27 terrorists were killed, 1 was captured alive).
I would like to note that the Alpha group has significant combat experience in operations involving mass hostage-taking. Not a single special unit in the world can boast of the same.
The history of modern special forces in our country began relatively recently - in fact, the starting point can be considered the moment of the emergence of the Russian Federation itself. Numerous detachments assigned to the KGB and GRU were scattered into new units, and several new elite groups were formed, which immediately had to deal with the legacy of the collapsed empire. Despite the mortal danger that awaits each of the special forces fighters, many people dream of getting here, but only a few are able to pass the most severe selection.
Alpha Squad
The name “Alpha” was invented by journalists eager for catchy words, who slightly embellished the bureaucratically dry Directorate “A”. The fighters of this detachment are working on conducting counter-terrorism operations - we can say that this is the first level of protecting the country from the threat of world terrorism. The Alpha unit is rightfully considered the elite of Russian special forces and is highly rated internationally.
Squad "Vympel"
This is one of the oldest special forces in our country. The Vympel group was formed under the KGB of the USSR: with the collapse of the country, the sign was changed (now it is the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia), but the structure remained the same. Vympel fighters are considered external agents - they are used for targeted operations outside of Russia.
OSN "Vulcan"
It is enough to look at the place of permanent deployment of this special unit to roughly imagine the level of training of the fighters. OSN "Vulcan" is based in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic of the Southern Federal District - these guys took part in the first Chechen war and in subsequent counter-terrorism operations. Not only fire training is valued here: to get into Vulcan, the applicant will have to undergo serious engineering, technical, topographical and medical testing.
Squad "Ratnik"
Ratnik contract soldiers are tested for the right to wear a maroon beret as a monthly practice. The fight against organized criminal groups and terrorist gangs rests on their shoulders. It is the “warriors” who are entrusted with ensuring the safety of the highest officials Russian Federation.
PDSS
The abbreviation stands for “Underwater sabotage forces and means.” Roughly speaking, PDSS is an analogue of the American Navy SEALs, with great adjustments for the harsh Russian realities. A candidate for combat swimmers undergoes a rigorous, months-long selection process, during which physical and psychological stress reaches the limit. PDSS units are on duty at all Russian naval bases and carry out targeted missions outside the country.
