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Spetsnaz [note 1] (Russian: Спецназ) are special forces in many post-Soviet states. Historically, this term referred to the Soviet Union's Spetsnaz GRU, special operations units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Soviet General Staff (GRU).
To be clear, the "Spetsnaz" aren't any single part of the Russian military apparatus. They are any special operations unit of the Russian military, including the Russian Navy, Airborne troops,...
The Spetsnaz GRU, the first spetsnaz force in the Soviet Union, formed in 1949 as the military force of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), the foreign military-intelligence agency of the Soviet Armed Forces.
Spetsnaz missions vary from battlefield reconnaissance and behind-the-lines sabotage to training guerrillas and, increasingly, supporting allied regimes against insurgencies and protests. They have played a significant role in all recent deployments, including in Crimea, the Donbas, and Syria.
The Russian Ministry of Defense defines the term "special operation" as "methods and ways of fighting not characteristic of conventional forces: reconnaissance and sabotage, subversion and sedition, counter-terrorism, counter-sabotage, counterintelligence, guerrilla, counter-guerrilla and other activities". [29][30]
Russia's Spetsnaz special operations forces, among the most elite military units in Russia, have been severely impacted in Ukraine. Initially tasked with high-stakes missions, including ...
The Spetsnaz have a fascinating history and an unparalleled reputation for being the deadliest Special Forces operatives in the Russian military. However, new challenges during the war on Ukraine have also highlighted their weaknesses.
The GRU Spetsnaz are special covert forces under the Russian Federation’s Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (GU/GRU). The GU is Russia’s main wing of foreign military intelligence, and reports directly to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff.
In Russia's rugged terrains, the Spetsnaz soldiers train beyond human endurance, forging bonds and skills unmatched in military realms.
SPETSNAZ signifies 'Special Purpose Forces' for Russia (and some former-Soviet nations) - typically covering units serving SPETSNAZ GRU, the military intelligence-gathering force of Russia. Spetsgruppa A (Alpha Group) is the dedicated counter-terrorist force of Russia, created under the banner of the Soviet Union in 1974.