For the first time, Special Operations Forces (SOF) appeared in Syria, according to unofficial data, in October 2015. The military department announced the detachment's first task - protecting the perimeter of Russian military installations.

The MTR was created in 2009. Their tasks include mainly sabotage and reconnaissance operations and guiding aircraft to targets in remote areas. The MTR special forces groups are armed with a wide range of weapons from small arms to the latest armored vehicles, high-precision sniper systems and anti-tank missile systems.

MTR structure

The detachment is capable of conducting operations both outside the country - for this they will use the special forces of the Ministry of Defense "Senezh", Airborne Forces, special forces brigades (GRU special forces), as well as the special forces of the FSKN "Grom", - and inside - internal troops, units of the FSIN, FSB special forces and other services.

Emblem

From the weapons and uniforms I was able to see:

A modern modification of the Kalashnikov assault rifle - AK.
A Bushnell TRS-25 type collimator sight and optics are installed on the Picatinny rail on the receiver cover.

Ballistic helmet "Spartan" and helmet type 6B7-1M.

A lightweight anti-fragmentation raid suit, created on the basis of the FORT "Raid-L" protective kit and designed to protect special forces officers from primary and secondary fragments. The suit provides protection against fragments of 270 m/s.

Body armor "Redut-M", unique ASP-M1 steel armor panels provide chest and back protection from bullets with a heat-strengthened core (TUS) from AKM, AK-74 assault rifles, LPS bullets from the SVD rifle, but also from bullets with a high-hard tungsten carbide core.

Active headphones Peltor Com Tac XP

Machine gun Utes and Pecheneg

Where were the Russian Special Operations Forces deployed?

Aleppo

In just two days, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) radically changed the course of the operation in Aleppo. In a short time, the allies liberated the following neighborhoods: Sheikh Fares, Sheikh Kheder, Haydaria, al-Sakur, Hilak, Baedin, Ard al-Hamra, Jabal Badro, Bustan Basha, Inzarat.

The Syrian army owes much of its success in Aleppo to its allies. Russian special forces and special forces units were involved in the operation to liberate the city. Russian aviation, including naval aviation, operated along supply routes for militants, thereby minimizing terrorist reserves.

Palmyra

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to President Vladimir Putin that the Syrian Armed Forces, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, completed the operation to capture Palmyra.
The city was liberated with the participation of MTR soldiers.

"The operation was planned and carried out under the leadership of Russian military advisers"

Successful interactions between the Syrian army and the Russian side have proven their effectiveness. Battle tactics underwent dramatic changes after the Russian military intervened in the matter. Each operation takes place under the strict guidance of commanders; the coordinated actions of the units allowed the army to attack the enemy on a wide front, which does not give the terrorists a chance to retreat or regroup.

The fact that Russia used its secret weapon in Syria officially became known only at the end of 2016, but rumors about elite MTR fighters appeared even earlier. Elite fighters were identified by their solution of combat missions. The competent and successful outcome of the operation became the calling card of the elite unit.

There is little information about the special operations forces: these are young troops and they work under the heading “secret”. The fighters are wearing balaclavas, their faces cannot be seen either in news stories or in photographs. These people silently and modestly carry out their task, but the results are talked about all over the world.

History of special forces

Special forces were created in the 50s by secret order, subordinate to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff.

The first Soviet special forces could eliminate commanders and influential political figures of the aggressor countries, destroy missile launcher complexes, aircraft control centers or communication channels with nuclear submarines. Carrying out their assigned tasks, the special forces had to skillfully bring the enemy into panic.

At the beginning of the 80s, there were 11 special forces brigades in the country. They fought in Afghanistan, Chechnya - their numbers grew. Special forces troops ceased to be a “piece” product; fighters were used more and more often.

Special Operations Forces in the Russian Federation: formation

MTR are troops created to defend and protect the interests of Russia and its citizens anywhere in the world. These are special forces that perform tasks in peacetime.

The history of the formation of the MTR of the Russian Armed Forces begins with the founding of special-purpose military units, on the basis of which, on March 5, 1999, the Specialist Training Center appeared. Part is located in Solnechnogorsk. The GRU group was subordinate. Then it was called the Senezh Special Purpose Center. The soldiers who underwent special training in the unit were nicknamed “sunflowers.”

The new military unit took its first battles in Chechnya, during the second Chechen campaign.

Almost ten years later, during the period of reform of the RF Armed Forces, the special unit was reorganized into the Directorate of Special Operations, reporting to the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces.

In April 2011, with the assistance of FSB special forces, the formation of another Special Operations Center began. The TsSN is subordinate to the head of the GRU and is located near Moscow. The unit was called the Kubinka-2 Special Purpose Center.

In March 2013, Russia announced that the country was training special operations forces. "Senezh" and "Kubinka-2" are part of the new forces.

Three years later, the naval special operations department of the MTR was included in the Navy in Crimea.

The first commander of the Special Forces of the Russian Armed Forces - Oleg Martyanov, 2009-2013. The Special Operations Forces Command remains one of the most closed structures of the Russian Armed Forces.

Day of "Polite People"

The President signed the decree establishing the Day of Special Operations Forces on February 26, 2015, the next day the soldiers celebrated their first “day of polite people” - February 27.

A year before the signing of the decree, on the night of February 27, Russian soldiers occupied all objects of importance in ensuring the defense capability of Crimea and parts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Locals nicknamed the people in camouflage “polite” because they, performing a special task at a busy time, behaved extremely courteously and modestly with Crimeans.

The emblem of the special operations forces is a bow with a stele on a string pointing upward. On the plumage of the arrow there are two spread wings.

Equipment of MTR fighters

The equipment and weapons of special operations forces are unique. The equipment includes:

• headphones that muffle the sounds of combat and make it possible to talk through the built-in radio station (removed);
• a Kalashnikov assault rifle of the latest model with Picatinny rails on which additional equipment can be mounted;
• silent firing devices;
• anti-fragmentation glasses;
• helmet - shockproof and anti-fragmentation;
• gun;
• mount for night vision device;
• body armor - capable of stopping a bullet fired from a machine gun and a sniper rifle, with mounts for magazines with cartridges, grenades and a first aid kit;
• optical sight;
• camouflage with built-in elbow and knee pads;
• Lightweight and durable tactical boots.

The equipment also includes: a tactical protection kit, an anti-fragmentation suit, a wetsuit, a diving kit, an unloading vest, and a thermal imaging monoculator.

The most unclassified thing is medical equipment.

Each specialist has:

1. Standard wearable medical kit.
2. Portable stretcher for carrying the wounded from the battlefield.
3. Means to stop bleeding - bandages, tourniquet or tourniquet, systems, saline solution, hemostatic agent.
4. Anti-poisoning agents, antiseptics, painkillers, antishocks, hemostatic agents.

The set weighs about 10 kg.

How Special Operations Forces soldiers work

The occupation of MTR fighters is conducting reconnaissance and sabotage behind enemy lines, as well as maintaining order in their rear.

The work comes with many hardships. Military service is at the limit, tickling your nerves, requiring every effort and willingness to sacrifice yourself for the sake of others.

The most important factor is the combat coherence of the team. What is needed here is absolute discipline, unconditional following of the commander, and at the same time the ability to make independent decisions individually by each fighter.

Physical training is a necessary factor in specialist training. Daily activities become a way of life. A warrior must have an absolute reaction in any situation, have the utmost restraint and endurance.

Equally important is the ability to work with modern types of weapons. This requires constant improvement of the professionalism of each specialist.

Working in a team, two or three, as part of a group is based on ideal interaction, the ability to literally understand comrades in arms without words. Through training, every movement becomes automatic. Each warrior must not only know his maneuver, but also be able to act instinctively and predict the actions of the enemy.

"Military surgery"

The special operations forces of the Russian Federation are the military elite. The army group uses modern types of weapons and equipment, is well equipped and is ready at any time to carry out a combat mission in any conditions, anywhere on the planet. The fighters are faced with the task of protecting the interests of Russia and its citizens. Their job every day is to be ready every minute to immediately use their skills.

These are special forces, they use combat methods that other troops do not use. MTR fighters are reconnaissance saboteurs, demolitionists, counter-saboteurs and partisans. They are paratroopers and divers, and use both small arms and anti-ship missiles.

MTR in Syria

Precise airstrikes were carried out thanks to the professionalism of the fighters. Specialists work deep in the rear, using the entire arsenal of special reconnaissance and enemy detection equipment. And snipers with rifles do no less than bombers.

Adjusting airstrikes, eliminating terrorists and destroying important objects - these are the tasks facing the MTR.

Russian armed forces were invited by the Syrian authorities. It was decided that it was better to stop the terrorists there than to wait for them in Russia. The MTR units found themselves in the thick of the confrontation. The skills acquired during training are used in combat conditions, skills are honed and professionalism increases.

Unique tasks of the MTR

Modern intelligence, surveillance and communications tools require extensive knowledge in the field of computer technology. Simulators using the latest electronics allow specialists to hone their skills and improve their professionalism in conditions that are as close as possible to combat.

Carrying out combat missions in different regions requires knowledge of the language of the host country, culture and folk customs.

Being in contact with the local population is an important factor in obtaining and implementing the obtained information. Great attention is paid to undercover operational and tactical-special training. Specialists must perfectly know the basics of tactics and strategy of modern warfare.

They work under the heading "secret"

The Russian Ministry of Defense's special forces use combat training systems. An important place is given to parachuting, fire training, mine demolition and sapper work, and tactics.

SOF influence the economy and politics of other states with muscle and strength, but secretly. They train foreign partisans, destroy important objects, and eliminate those who are in the way. There are MTRs in the USA, Germany, England, France, and Israel. And they don’t sit anywhere without work.

There have been people in our country who have performed critical tasks all over the world, and they continue to do their work today.

All Russian special forces troops are fighting in the Caucasus with varying intensity, participating in special operations to destroy bandits and extremists.

Today, the Russian Armed Forces have 7 special forces brigades, as well as 4 detachments of combat swimmers.

An MTR detachment is worth an entire army

Only the best of the best make it into the MTR. Candidates undergo a rigorous selection process. The results of severe tests determine whether a person is able to withstand difficult situations and not give up in the face of the most dangerous tasks.

Daily training is necessary to be ready to carry out any combat mission as clearly and effectively, promptly and creatively as possible. Strength today special operations of the Russian Federation carry out direct work in the hottest spots of the planet.

The country's military elite

The first special forces appeared in the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Federation. Later, in other law enforcement agencies and intelligence services, special units were formed, designed for various tasks. For example, TsSN FSB "Alpha" fights terrorism in transport, "Vympel" - at particularly important facilities.

There are special forces in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and in the internal troops. The famous “speckled berets” resist gangs and provide forceful support to the police. The task of the FS OBNON special forces is to fight the drug mafia. Special forces of the Federal Penitentiary Service countering riots in the penitentiary system - in Russian prisons and zones.

In the West, all special operations forces are brought into a single fist: land, sea, and air. In the Russian Federation everything is fragmented. For several decades, the command has been trying to include aviation squadrons in the brigades, but so far to no avail.

But the leadership of the Russian armed forces has ceased to be shy about what they are doing in other countries. It declared its interests around the world and its goals to save and protect all Russian citizens: diplomats captured by extremists, sailors captured by pirates, Russian citizens held hostage.

At the foot of Elbrus there is a stela dedicated to the Heroes of the Defense of Elbrus. Here, a Russian soldier defeated a division of selected German climbers in the war.

Russia is returning to great history. It is argued that where the Russian soldier came, there will be peace, tranquility and justice. At the same time, we are talking not only about the special operations forces of the Russian Federation.

Special Operations Forces (SSO) are a relatively new formation in the structure of the Russian Armed Forces. Its formation began in 2009, during the army reform, and was completed in 2013. Over the past five years, the Special Forces took part in the Crimean operation and combat operations in Syria.

Experts and journalists call this date “the day of polite people” - it was on the night of February 27, 2014 that the transfer of Russian units to Crimea began.

The military blocked Ukrainian Armed Forces facilities on the peninsula and occupied administrative buildings.

In addition to MTR units, the operation included marines, paratroopers and motorized riflemen. The professional work of “polite people” made it possible to disarm a 30,000-strong group of Ukrainian troops practically without firing a single shot.

Meanwhile, the activities of the MTR are secret. The state has the right not to disclose information about the size and armament of the Special Operations Forces, and is also not obliged to report on the results of operations and losses incurred.

"Asymmetrical Actions"

Special operations forces are a single structure that includes army special forces units of different types and branches of the armed forces. The tasks of the MTR include conducting operations both on the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad.

The main governing body of the Special Operations Forces - the Command - is directly subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces (since November 9, 2012 - Valery Gerasimov).

• Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov
• RIA News

Western think tanks are showing enormous interest in the activities of the MTR. Foreign experts believe that Russia created Special Operations Forces to more effectively conduct foreign expeditionary missions.

According to the West, the greatest contribution to the development of the MTR was made by Valery Gerasimov, who gained the image of a “hybrid war” strategist.

Foreign experts base similar conclusions on the article by the Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, “The Value of Science in Foresight,” which was published in the Military-Industrial Courier magazine at the end of February 2013.

In his material, Gerasimov said that the Russian General Staff was studying the organization of combat operations of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US experience, Gerasimov believes, has demonstrated the need to change “the existing models of operations and combat operations.”

“Asymmetric actions have become widespread, making it possible to neutralize the enemy’s superiority in armed struggle. These include the use of special operations forces and internal opposition to create a permanent front... The changes taking place are reflected in the doctrinal views of the leading countries of the world and are tested in military conflicts,” Gerasimov wrote.

View from the outside

A teacher at the Institute of National Security in Tel Aviv, Sarah Feinberg, in her article “Russian Expeditionary Forces in the Syrian Operation,” argues that the idea of ​​uniting “mobile intervention forces” arose during the war in Afghanistan (1979-1989). Then the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the USSR Ministry of Defense opposed the creation of the MTR. However, this idea reappeared on the agenda after two Chechen campaigns.

According to Fainberg, the use of GRU special forces and other elite units in the North Caucasus was successful and made it possible to offset the shortcomings in the combat training of combined arms units.

At the same time, Russian special forces experienced problems in planning and conducting operations due to insufficient coordination between the security agencies to which they were subordinate. In this regard, the need was realized to unite army special forces units into a single command structure under the control of the Chief of the General Staff.

• Russian special forces during tactical exercises
• Press service of the Ministry of Defense

The consulting unit of the US Army Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) in the report “Manual on the Next Generation Russian Army” reports that the SOF appeared as a result of optimizing the size and structure of the Russian Armed Forces during the period when the Ministry of Defense was headed by Anatoly Serdyukov (2007-2012).

The army reform was aimed at disaggregating formations (transition to a brigade system) and creating so-called battalion tactical groups.

As AWG specialists clarify, “battalion tactical groups” are mobile, well-trained units that can be quickly deployed hundreds of kilometers from the state border.

From the AWG report it follows that “battalion tactical groups” form the backbone of the MTR. According to analysts, these units were first used for the “annexation” of Crimea, then they were allegedly transferred to Donbass, and since 2015 they have been operating in Syria.

Asymmetric Warfare Group believes that when forming the MTR, Russia relied on the experience of foreign countries. However, the decision to create Special Operations Forces was made after the South Ossetian conflict (August 2008).

In 2009, the Directorate of Special Operations Forces was formed on the basis of the Senezh Special Forces Center (Moscow Region, military unit No. 92154). The formation of the MTR as a single, clearly functioning organism was completed in March 2013.

Coherence and professionalism

Senior researcher at the Institute of the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, Thor Bookvoll, in materials devoted to the elite units of the Russian Armed Forces, notes that the core of the MTR is made up of GRU officers. Of the 14 thousand Special Operations Forces soldiers, 12 thousand are military intelligence officers.

Foreign analysts agree that the MTR arsenal includes the most modern weapons, uniforms and the latest military equipment, including communications systems and drones. Russian special forces can carry out tasks at any time of the day and in any climatic conditions.

• Soldier of the diving unit of the Special Operations Forces
• Press service of the Ministry of Defense

Sarah Feinberg believes that Syria has become the main “military training camp” for Russian special forces. The tasks of special forces in the SAR include collecting intelligence, directing artillery and airborne forces fire, eliminating the leaders of gangs, conducting assault operations and sabotage activities.

“Syria truly represents the first territory in which Russia has coordinated and large-scale deployed and organized control over a contingent of expeditionary forces, including Special Operations Forces (SOF) and various categories of special forces,” notes Feinberg in the article “Russian Expeditionary Forces in the Syrian Operation.”

As the expert explained, the Syrian operation allows the Russian Special Forces to hone their skills “without additional burden on the military budget.” Fainberg estimates the size of the Russian special forces group in the SAR at 230-250 people. According to her, the successful work of the MTR in Syria testifies to the “revival of Russian military art.”

The presence of Russian special forces in Syria was first announced by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Central Military District Alexander Dvornikov on March 23, 2016. Nevertheless, Russian and foreign experts are confident that the SOF have been operating in Syria from the very beginning of the operation (September 30, 2015) or since the summer of 2015.

“I will not hide the fact that units of our Special Operations Forces are also operating in Syria. They carry out additional reconnaissance of targets for Russian aviation strikes, guide aircraft to targets in remote areas, and solve other special tasks,” Dvornikov said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

On December 11, 2016, the Rossiya 24 TV channel showed footage of the participation of Special Forces soldiers in battles in Aleppo, Syria. It is also known from the media that MTR soldiers participated in the liberation of Palmyra.

According to official data, during the entire period of the operation in the SAR, two special forces gunners were killed - captain Fyodor Zhuravlev (November 9, 2015) and senior lieutenant Alexander Prokhorenko (March 17, 2016). By order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zhuravlev was awarded the Order of Kutuzov posthumously, Prokhorenko was awarded the title of Hero of Russia, also posthumously.

In May 2017, information about the feat of the MTR group in the province of Aleppo was partially declassified.

16 Russian special forces, engaged in directing aircraft fire, entered the battle against 300 Jabhat al-Nusra militants*.

The special forces acted in coordination with government forces. However, the Syrians retreated in confusion and left the detachment without cover. Russian troops repelled several attacks and, when it got dark, mined the approaches to their positions.

“The fire density was high. But it was scary only in the first minutes, and then a banal routine begins,” said one of the officers.

• A MTR mortar crew fires at terrorists
• Frame: video RUPTLY

The fighters held their positions for two days and were able to leave without losses. During the battle, the special forces destroyed several armored vehicles and a tank. Group commander Danila (last name not given), who received the title of Hero of Russia, noted that the key to success was the coordinated professional actions of his subordinates.

A participant in counter-terrorism operations in the North Caucasus, Alexey Golubev, in a conversation with RT, said that the Russian Special Forces are rightfully called the most trained elite formation in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In his opinion, the success of the operation in Syria would have been impossible without the Special Operations Forces.

“The classified nature of the MTR’s activities is due to the fact that the fighters work outside of Russia. In Syria, special forces are deployed behind enemy lines to target the air forces. In my opinion, this is the most difficult and dangerous work. And, as far as I can judge, our guys are coping with it,” Golubev emphasized.

*“Jabhat Fatah al-Sham” (“Al-Nusra Front”, “Jabhat al-Nusra”) is an organization recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 29, 2014.

Military service has always enjoyed great honor and respect in almost every existing state. After all, the troops are the force that can protect the country from external aggression. It should be noted that the history of the development of military art stretches back to ancient times. Many modern principles of army building were laid down in Ancient Greece and Rome. With the passage of time and gradual technical evolution, new devices and technologies were included in the activities of the military. This has led to the fact that in the 21st century, the art of killing in most cases is carried out remotely, through computers, missiles, drones, etc. However, there are tasks that are simply impossible to cope with remotely or with the help of machines. That is, it is necessary to involve people with a special level of training. This type of military exists in every state. As a rule, they are combined into units. In the Russian Federation, there is a similar formation within the Armed Forces. It performs special functions and also has its own structure, staff and features, which will be discussed later in the article.

The concept of special units

The special operations forces of the Russian Federation are special units in the structure of the Armed Forces, as was already indicated earlier. But few people understand what the category of “special units” is in general. As a rule, formations of this kind are created as part of the army, since it is precisely in combat conditions that situations very often arise that require a special approach. But there are also special units in internal services, for example the police, etc. Taking this into account, we can conclude that special units are formations in the system of bodies involved in the comprehensive defense of the state, which are responsible for carrying out the most dangerous and complex tasks. essence of missions.

Russian "analogue"

Special Operations Forces are a unit directly included in It was developed in 2009 as a result of the global reform of the entire defense sector of the state. The unit is assigned special tasks, which will be discussed in more detail later in the article. It should be noted that the Russian special operations forces report directly to the chief of the Russian Armed Forces. Today, the exact number of the special unit is unknown, since it is protected by a special regime. As for the issue of MTR equipment, the command approached it quite professionally. The unit uses all available technical innovations in the field of military affairs. It should be noted that the staff of special operations forces carries out its activities on the basis of a special service.

Main tasks of the unit

Russian special operations forces are highly mobile units. Their employees have special military training, which increases their experience in performing important and dangerous tasks. In accordance with this, we can say that the main directions of the work of the MTR are quite specific. They, as a rule, are implemented in times of peace and war, both abroad and on the territory of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that the Russian special operations forces are a young unit. Many aspects and immediate goals of his work are still not fully known. However, we can say with confidence that special operations forces are engaged in the implementation of the task of the same name, which, in turn, has its own characteristics.

The concept of a special operation

The presented term characterizes the military process. It differs from ordinary operations in the specifics of its implementation, goals, and methods of activity of its subjects. First of all, it should be noted that a special operation is carried out by military units to protect the interests of the state in a particular territory. Moreover, such actions are considered special because it is simply impossible to implement them using conventional methods and means. That is, the subject composition of special operations is almost always highly qualified fighters of well-trained and highly mobile units. The methodological basis of their activities in most cases is the secrecy and secrecy of any actions. For this purpose, military personnel of special units undergo special psychological, combat, fire and other types of training. They are trained to operate both as part of a mobile group and individually behind enemy lines. The most common purposes of special operations are the following:

Sabotage;

Sabotage;

Activities of a subversive nature, etc.

History of the creation of the MTR

It has already been pointed out that special operations forces are a relatively young unit. It did not exist in its modern form before. Its creation is preceded by a fairly long history. The governing body of the MTR was created in 2009, when the general reform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began. Gradually, the structure of the new division developed and expanded. By 2012, a special operations forces command had been created. It consisted of about nine special brigades. However, the actual creation of special operations forces began in 2013. At this time, the command of this formation began to implement planned work aimed at bringing the structure of these units into proper form. According to the statement of Valery Gerasimenko, Army General, by March 23, 2013, the MTR personnel had already been actually formed. At this time, it was being prepared for direct use both on the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad. Around the end of April 2013, the Russian Armed Forces conducted exercises that were aimed at practicing practical actions in conditions as close as possible to real ones.

Division structure

The special operations forces of the Russian Federation have their own internal structure, determined by the need to quickly respond to situations, the solution of which is within the scope of the unit’s activities. At the same time, the composition of the MTR, in turn, has an internal hierarchy, which makes it possible to distribute functional responsibilities between individual structural elements. Thus, the special operations forces of the Russian Federation consist of the following elements:

• Direct command located in the Moscow region.
• Special center "Snezh", which is also located in the Moscow region. It should be noted that this center today is one of the main parts of the unit presented in the article. Its task is not only to train fighters, but also to conduct special operations. Therefore, Snezh has a structure consisting of departments in different areas of activity, which will be discussed below.
• Special training center for specialists. Direct training of personnel takes place in this department. Here, in essence, Russian special operations forces are born. In addition, soldiers from other special units of the Russian Federation undergo training and retraining at the center.
• A combat center similar to Snezh is Kuba or Zazaborye, as it is commonly called.

Of course, it is possible that there are other special centers, but information about them may be strictly classified. This level of mystery around the MTR is not accidental. After all, the fighters of this unit carry out operations that are far from straightforward. It should be noted that the SEAL unit, the SEALs, popular throughout the world, also did not officially exist in the first stages of its development. Only over time was the fact of its creation and real activities revealed.

Structure of the special center “Snezh”

In order to at least roughly understand how the special operations forces of the Russian Armed Forces work, it is necessary to take a more detailed look at the composition of the Snezh special purpose center, which was mentioned earlier in the article. It should be noted that in accordance with the tasks assigned to the MTR, the structure of the center includes a number of special departments. Each of them is responsible for maintaining combat training and performing specific functions. One of these departments is the airborne department. The fighters serving in it, in accordance with the name, constantly replenish the arsenal of ways to penetrate behind enemy lines directly through the air. That is, there is a strong emphasis on skydiving, as well as paragliding. The fighters of this department are comparable to employees; however, their activities and methods of landing are kept secret.

There is also a special mountain division. Its fighters specialize in operating and surviving in appropriate conditions. As we know, conducting special operations in the mountains has an increased level of risk, which necessitates the need for special training of fighters. The same requirements are put forward to employees who work in the department for the destruction and capture of enemy infrastructure, that is, buildings, headquarters, bunkers, etc.

The Special Actions Department of the Navy is multi-purpose in nature. Most often it is called sea. This formation is a competitor to the Navy SEALs of the United States of America. Because its activity is based on performing tasks in the waters of lakes, rivers and seas. As a rule, fighters carry out their work from watercraft. In addition, the functional tasks of the department include reconnaissance operations, sabotage operations on enemy water bodies and those located directly on the shore.

No less important and functional is the department specializing in the protection of high-ranking government officials. In this case, its functions at some points overlap with the activities of the Federal Security Service.

Additional structural departments of the Snezh special center are the withdrawal and support divisions. In the first case, we are talking about formations that are engaged in the withdrawal of individual special forces groups from behind enemy lines or the site of an operation. Today, withdrawal can be carried out both by air, land and water. The remaining departments of the center deal with material support and communications. It should be noted that on the territory of Snezh there are special complexes that are used to provide fighters and maintain their combat shape.

Russian special operations forces: how to get there?

Some young people would like to join this unit. To date, the recruitment process for service in the special operations forces of the Russian Federation is not known exactly. The unit, according to unclassified data, is staffed by contract military personnel. That is, all employees, without exception, are professional fighters, and not people who are undergoing military service. In addition, many specialists from the unit enter it after graduating from special military educational institutions, which have certain faculties. These today are the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, as well as However, it is possible that personnel in the MTR are also replenished through the recruitment of people who are already serving in units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Conflicts involving the unit

To date, special operations forces have officially been deployed on the territory of the state of Syria. In this country, the unit was engaged in ground reconnaissance of the area to support airstrikes. At the same time, the activities of the unit are confirmed by a fact that was also covered in the media. According to the official version, near Palmyra in March 2016, MTR soldiers liberated the city. Due to superior enemy forces, one of the special forces personnel was killed. In addition to military operations in Syria, there is a lot of unofficial information about the activities of the Special Forces in other military conflicts, for example in the North Caucasus in the fight against Islamists. The most controversial is the fact of the participation of fighters of the mentioned unit in the Crimean crisis.

Special unit emblem

The Russian special operations forces, whose emblem is presented in the article, have special symbols. It is, first of all, represented by a common sign that exists among all military formations in Russia. The emblem of the MTR of the Russian Federation is a gray wreath, at the top of which is a reduced emblem of the Russian Armed Forces, namely a double-headed eagle of gold color. In the center of the Special Operations Forces badge is a bow, the string of which is pulled by an arrow with wings. This symbol is also gold in color.

So, this article presented photos of the special operations forces of the Russian Federation. We also found out the main tasks and composition of this unit. Let's hope that more information about the activities of the MTR will soon appear, which will make it possible to judge the quality of the work of this unit.

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Special Operations Forces (SSO)

Specially created, trained and equipped formations, units and units in the armed forces of a number of states, designed to conduct sabotage and reconnaissance operations, organize insurgent activities and armed attacks, including providing assistance to foreign states in ensuring their internal security.

The MTR primarily includes “special forces” formations, which in most states are called “commandos” or “rangers”; As part of military fleets, similar tasks are performed by units of combat swimmers. SOF are kept in constant readiness for immediate use and can solve problems in peacetime, in conflict situations and during war, acting both as part of heterogeneous forces in the theater of operations and independently. The operations they carry out, as a rule, are secret in nature and are under the direct control of senior military leadership or commanders-in-chief of the armed forces in theaters of war. The SOF are equipped with a variety of small arms and bladed weapons (both those in service with the Armed Forces and specially developed models), light artillery pieces, grenade launchers, MANPADS, sets of explosive devices, optical-electronic equipment, small-sized radio and satellite communications equipment, light vehicles, parachute -landing and light diving equipment, technical means of propaganda, etc. Personnel training is carried out in special training centers and schools. The program includes parachute training, training in the use of all types of weapons, including weapons of foreign armies, driving vehicles, sabotage methods of combat, mine-explosive, light diving and radio operations, studying methods of collecting intelligence information, conducting intelligence work, knowledge of foreign languages, customs of countries operational purpose, methods of penetration behind enemy lines, survival in extreme conditions, etc.

The fulfillment of the tasks assigned to them in the positional areas of the missile divisions will be carried out in the form of a special operation, during which intelligence information about the most important military installations will be obtained, the destruction or disabling of these objects, as well as the organization of sabotage and sabotage and terrorist acts.

The most numerous SOF were created in the USA (over 45 thousand people). Organizationally, they are consolidated into a joint special operations command, to which the command of joint special operations and the command of special operations of the armed forces (ground forces, air force, navy) are subordinated. The Joint Special Operations Command does not have a permanent MTR staff. In fact, it is represented by the headquarters, which is engaged in the development of optimal options for the integrated use of special forces of types of armed forces. SOF NE include formations of regular troops, army reserve and national guard. Regular formations include 5 Special Forces Groups, 1st Special Forces Delta Force, 75th Rangers Infantry Regiment, Army Aviation Regiment, Psychological Operations Group, Civil Liaison Battalion, Signal Battalions, Logistics Battalions and 5 Commands support of special operations in the theater of operations. The Army Reserve includes 2 special forces groups, 3 group headquarters, 9 battalion headquarters and 27 psychological operations companies. The National Guard has 2 special forces groups and an army aviation battalion.