| Spetsnaz GRU | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1949- |
| Country | Soviet Union (1949-1991) Russian Federation (1991-) |
| Branch | GRU |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Reconnaissance Direct action Assassination Sabotage |
| Size | Classified,[1] ~12,000 according to some sources |
| Part of | Soviet Armed Forces (until 1991) Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (since 1991) |
| Engagements | Soviet War in Afghanistan First Chechen War Second Chechen War 2008 South Ossetia War |
The Spetsnaz GRU, a special forces unit, are the original Spetsnaz and are generally considered the best trained and experienced units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as evidenced by both their seniority among the Special Forces (Spetsnaz GRU are 27 years older than their KGB (formerly Tcheka) Osnaz counterparts and their colleagues from the MVD) and their reputation within the Union (Cf. V. Suvorov). They are a special unit under the control of GRU (Glavnoye Razvedyvatel'noye Upravleniye is the acronym for the foreign military intelligence directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation). The Spetsnaz are also used for missions in Counter-Terrorism. Much like the British SAS or Delta Force, they carry out operations deep behind enemy lines.
GRU is the English transliteration of the Russian acronym ГРУ, which stands for "Главное Разведывательное Управление", meaning Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff. The full name is GRU GSh (GRU Generalnovo Shtaba (or "GenShtaba"), i.e. "GRU of/for the General Staff").
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During World War II, reconnaissance and diversionary forces were formed under the supervision of the Second Department of the General Staff. These forces were subordinate to the commanders of Fronts.[2] The situation was reviewed after the war ended, and between 1947 and 1950 the whole of the GRU was reorganized. The first 'independent reconnaissance companies of special purpose' were formed in 1949, to work for tank and combined-arms armies. In 1957, the first Spetsnaz battalions were formed, five to eliminate enemy nuclear weapons systems such as MGR-3 Little John and MGM-1 Matador. The first brigades were formed in 1962, reportedly to reach up to 750 kilometres in the rear to destroy U.S. weapons systems such as the MGM-52 Lance, MGM-29 Sergeant, and MGM-31 Pershing. Two 'study regiments' were established in the 1960s to train specialists and NCOs, the first in 1968 at Pechora near Pskov, and the second in 1970 at Chirchiq near Tashkent.
Later operations included Operation Storm-333.
Here are the Spetsnaz brigades and the location at which they are stationed:[3]
A specialized ballistic knife was developed for the use of Spetsnaz. A powerful spring installed within the grip allows the blade to be ejected. Another form of Spetsnaz knife is the NRS-2 (Knife Reconnaissance, Shooting) knife with a built in handle single-shot firearm able to fire SP-4 suppressed cartridge (the same used in PSS Silent Pistol).
One of the most famous weapons of the Spetsnaz is a small, metal hand shovel, much like a spade. It is balanced for throwing and has a flat head with sharpened edges. In the hands of a trained soldier, it can be used for numerous purposes ranging from hand-to-hand combat to use as a shield, with the soldier angling the blade to deflect an oncoming bullet. However, there is no proof of any actual combat use of a shovel by Spetsnaz in recent years (although the myth about Spetsnaz shovel is still alive on US TV shows).