Spetsnaz Steel: Knives of the Russian Special Forces

By Leroy Thompson

Russia’s Special Forces, or Spetsnaz, faced new challenges after the war in Afghanistan, the end of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union. Like U.S. special operations, Spetsnaz units are now involved in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. However, they retain their traditional “hot war” missions of sabotage, surveillance and disruption. Spetsnaz units have focused on operations in Syria, Chechnya and other areas of conflict. Reportedly, these have included counter-piracy missions in Georgia and Ukraine. Security at the Sochi Winter Olympics also fell under Spetsnaz purview.

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Russian special operations forces have reorganized for their current missions. In the Soviet Union, Spetsnaz units were normally under the GRU (military intelligence) with specialized Osnaz units under the KGB. Descendants of the Osnaz, such as FSB Alpha and FSB Vympel, remain under control of the KGB’s successor and act as the Russian Federation’s national counterterrorism units. The Ministry of the Interior has Spetsnaz units as well. Military …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life