Russia’s most dangerous army unit has entered Ukraine: Spetsnaz

After starting the fight against Ukraine, the Russia Army has surprised everyone by reaching the capital Kyiv within just 30 hours. The Ukrainian Army found it extremely difficult to face Russia’s much larger and more experienced fighting force during the Syrian Civil War. However, this is not the only reason Ukraine is outdone in a pinch. 

Russia has given the responsibility of conquering Ukraine to the Special Commando Unit, which is considered the most dangerous of its Army. According to media reports, Russia has been responsible for entering Ukraine by crossing the border to the Special Commando Team of Elite Force Spetsnaz. Reports quoted NATO saying that Russia had already deployed Spetsnaz commandos to Belarus on the pretext of joint military drills. 

According to NATO, Spetsnaz is such a unit of the Russian Army, which has been carrying out special missions for Russia in emergencies worldwide in addition to wartime. Its commandos are extremely dangerous and experienced fighters. It is believed that for this reason, they were able to rapidly penetrate deep into Ukraine and reach Kyiv. 

Let us tell you everything about this dangerous unit of the Russian Army- 

First, you need to know about Russia’s Military Intelligence Service GRU 

Before knowing about Spetsnaz, the Special Commando Unit of the Russian Army, let’s know about the Military Intelligence Service Glavonoy Rajvedivatelnoy Upravleni (GRU) there. 

• During the time of the Soviet Union, the GRU was created as a part of the KGB, the intelligence agency there. 
• After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, it is believed that Russia preferred the GRU over the KGB. 
• According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, today, the GRU is the main intelligence directorate of Russia. 
• The GRU is believed to have been involved in the nerve gas attack on an ex-Russian spy in Salisbury, England, in 2018. 

The Spetsnaz commando unit is part of the GRU 

According to the BBC report, Spetsnaz is a special mission unit of the GRU, whose job is to spy and carry out violent activities in other countries if needed. The English meaning of the Russian language word Spetsnaz is ‘special designation.’ It means ‘special work’ in Hindi. The term is used for the most elite military unit of the Russian Army. 

• Spetsnaz was formed during the time of the Soviet Union. 
• Spetsnaz was formed in 1915 during World War I. 
• In 1949, its special commando unit was formed for the cold war. 
• Around 1500 to 2000 commandos are deployed in the Spetsnaz Special Unit. 
• The Federal Security Service orders this commando unit directly. 

He executed many special missions for Russia

According to the BBC, the Spetsnaz commandos have carried out many active missions for Russia since the Cold War. Its role has been the Airborne Battlefield Reconnaissance Force by penetrating inside enemy territory. 

• Successful infiltration of Russia into Afghanistan in 1979 
• Attacked and killed Chechen rebels two decades ago 
• Russia has an active role in the ongoing civil war in Syria 

Specialized wings inside Spetsnaz, too, Chernobyl was captured by this wing. 

Different wings have also been created within the Spetsnaz, the Special Operational Commando Unit of the Russian Army, which is specialized in different roles. Among them is a specialized wing named ‘Vega,’ specializing in dealing with nuclear incidents. After entering Ukraine, the same team successfully captured the Chernobyl nuclear plant by the Russian Army. 

Spetsnaz has a wing called Fecal (Flashlight), specializing in dealing with hostage situations (terrorists taking civilians hostage).

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Very difficult selection and training in this unit 

According to some Russian media websites, the selection and training of any fighter in Spetsnaz is one of the world’s toughest tests. 

• Fighters for Spetsnaz are selected from other military units. 
• These fighters are selected based on the ‘Tough Character Sign.’ 

• They have to give an almost impossible test for selection. 
• Those who pass the test are given training for the next five years. 
• Despite such long training, he does not directly get a place in the commando team. 
• For this, the induction process of commandos goes on for the next five months. 
• Only after passing this induction, one gets a place in the Spetsnaz commando unit. Reports have described this induction process as extremely inhuman.