Rus (special forces)
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Rus is a special forces unit (OSNAZ) of the Interior Troops (VV), Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD). Its full name in Russian is OSNAZ VV MVD Rus.
According to an MVD official press release, Rus was created on August 1st, 1994, as the heir of an unspecified Operational Purpose Distinct Division (ODON) unit of the MVD. The dedicated role of the unit is counter-terrorism and direct action in times of crisis. Officers and members of the unit regularly travel abroad to meet their foreign counterparts (especially in Israel, Austria and Germany) in order to share and gather their common experience and training techniques.
Rus actively participated, along with other MVD units, in the military and paramilitary operations in Chechnya. Since 1999, the unit is involved in active counter-terrorist operations there, along with other FSB, MVD and GRU special forces units. According to official data, the unit claims the destruction of hundreds of hidden weapons caches and hideouts. The liquidation of a certain number of terror cells, or rebel groups, is also claimed to be a collective work of FSB, GRU and MVD units operating alongside Rus.
Rus is one of the most decorated Spetsnaz (special forces) units in Russia. Since its creation, eight hundred Rus servicemen have been decorated for courage, six have been awarded the title Hero of Russia (three posthumously).
A monument commemorating the fallen members of the unit was unveiled on February 25, 1997 at the home camp of the unit (location unknown). In 2005, the unit was said to be still operating in Chechnya.
