Spetsnaz facts for kids

Spetsnaz is a Russian word for special forces. It's used to describe highly trained military units in Russia and many other countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union. These units are like elite teams that handle very difficult and dangerous missions.

Historically, the term "Spetsnaz" often referred to special units controlled by Russia's main military intelligence service, called the GRU. But it can also mean special teams from other government groups, like the police or emergency rescue services. Russian special forces wear different colored berets, which are hats that show which part of the military they belong to.

The Spetsnaz's emblem

Famous Missions and History

Spetsnaz in World War II

During World War II, Soviet forces needed to gather information about German troops in northern Norway and Finland. So, on July 5, 1941, a special spy unit was formed. This unit, called the 4th Special Volunteer Detachment, had about 65 to 70 members. They were often recruited from athletes in the navy. Later, this unit was renamed the 181st Special Reconnaissance Detachment.

One of the most famous members was Viktor Leonov. He joined the Soviet Navy in 1937 and became a scuba diver. Leonov joined the 4th Special Volunteer Detachment and carried out many secret missions. He was even honored twice as a Hero of the Soviet Union.

At first, these units did small spy missions. They would go by sea or land into Finland and Norway. Later, they started doing sabotage missions, which means destroying enemy equipment. They would also raid enemy positions to capture prisoners for questioning. They destroyed German supply posts and communication centers. They also bothered enemy troops along the Finnish and Russian coasts.

When the war in Europe ended, these naval scouts were sent to fight the Japanese. Viktor Leonov and his team landed at a Japanese airfield. They didn't know that over 3,500 enemy soldiers were there. After a tense situation, Leonov and his officers managed to trick the Japanese forces into surrendering.

Spetsnaz in Afghanistan

Soviet Spetsnaz forces were also involved in the Soviet–Afghan War from 1979 to 1989. They often used helicopters in their battles. Their most famous operation was called Operation Storm-333. This happened on December 27, 1979. Soviet special forces stormed the Tajbeg Palace in Afghanistan. They killed the Afghan President, Hafizullah Amin, and his 200 guards. After this, the Soviets put Babrak Karmal in power.

About 660 Soviet soldiers took part in this operation. They were dressed in Afghan uniforms. This included 50 KGB and GRU officers from special groups called Alpha Group and Zenith Group. The Soviet forces took control of important government, military, and media buildings in Kabul. Their main target was the Tajbeg Palace.

In the first year and a half of the war, Spetsnaz units were mainly responsible for finding information for the 40th Army. Besides gathering information, they also captured prisoners. They also worked to stop the leaders of the Mujahideen, who were Afghan fighters.

By 1985, the GRU had grown its special forces in Afghanistan. They had two Spetsnaz brigades with almost 5,000 troops.

Images for kids

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  Russian Spetsnaz SSO snipers

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  Russian Spetsnaz GRU troops

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  Viktor Leonov helped create modern-day Naval Spetsnaz operations.

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  Soviet special forces surround Tajbeg Palace after the operation.

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  A Soviet Spetsnaz group gets ready for a mission in Afghanistan.

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  Russian Spetsnaz troops get out of an APC during the Tajikistani Civil War.

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  Chechen soldiers from the Special Battalion Vostok during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War.

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  Russian Spetsnaz GRU forces during the 1999 War of Dagestan.

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  Russian troops without insignia at the building of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea during its attack.

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  Russian Spetsnaz SSO operative.

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  Russian SOF during HALO training.

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  Combat swimmers of the Russian 313th PDSS doing land operations.

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  Combat swimmer from the Russian 311th PDSS in Kamchatka (2017).

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  Then-Russian President Medvedev visiting a special forces base in Makhachkala, 2009.

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  Russian 604th Special Purpose Centre operator.

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  The water obstacle part during tryouts for the Russian OSN Maroon Beret.

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  Russian FSIN Special Forces during a FAB Defense training exercise.

See also

In Spanish: Spetsnaz para niños