The Russian Alpha Group are a highly trained, ruthless and elite special operations force that rivals some of the most dangerous organizations on the planet.
Russian special ops alpha group (YouTube)
Alpha Group, also known as Spetsgruppa “A”, is a special unit within the Center for Special Operations of the Russian FSB. Founded in 1974, they are the guards of the Russian state and its security, and the most powerful unit in the country, including the one to ensure the safety of the Olympic Games in Sochi.
The primary task of Alpha is to fight terrorism and terrorist groups, besides solving the most complex hostage situations in the case of hijacked planes, buses, trains, and the protection of important people and events.
The Alpha has two units: Administration “A” that has five departments, and Administration “B” that has four departments. Each department is an assault group of 30 people. The Commander of the Alpha group is an officer with the rank of general. The selection and training process for the group is stringent and not everyone can qualify or does qualify. Candidates for the special operative-fighting unit have to be between 22 and 27 years old, while older troops hold management positions.
Russian special ops alpha group (YouTube)
Every candidate, whether they are officers from the police or special units of the army who have already undergone certain training qualifications, are all considered equal, and must start from scratch when joining the group. Every candidate must have a university education, physical preparedness, mental and physical health, and high moral and volitional qualities. The admission process can take up to a year, and the decision on admission is made collectively.
In order to become a top professional member of the Alpha, each candidate has to undergo three years of training. Basic training consists of a rigorous phase of infantry training, diving, parachuting, practical shooting, sniper operations, foreign languages and martial arts, studying the phenomenon of terrorism in Russia and around the world, and following other people’s experiences in the field of anti-terrorism.
Russian special ops alpha group (YouTube)
Operatives are organized into groups of 12 specials, which are divided into teams of four members. The basic operation motto of their mission is: “Where Alpha appears, compromise stops.”
The Alpha enjoys a special status in Russia, and is meant to protect all Russian officials and foreign statesman who visit the nation. Over the years, the group has played a significant role in solving complex hostage situations and other crises in Russia.
Check out this intense look inside the organization:
