An elite Russian force is now thought to have descended into Ukraine.
Spetsnaz meaning Special Operations Forces are reported to be in Ukraine
and working to take over checkpoints and critical infrastructure.
As per some unverified sources, Spetsnaz is teaming up with Russian airborne forces
trying to take over the airport near Kyiv known as the Hostomel or Antonov airport.
This is a strategic international airfield located northwest of Kyiv.
In this video Defense Updates why Russian Spetsnaz could play a critical role
for President Putin in Ukraine? Let's get into the details.
The Spetsnaz origin lies with Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie or GRU,
Russia's military intelligence service.
The GRU outlasted the KGB when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991
and as per Western reports, it is active to this day.
Apart from spy agents, GRU also has its own commando unit and was founded in 1949.
The first units of what would become the Spetsnaz were transferred from the GRU in 2009
as part of the continuing 2008 Russian military reform.
The Spetsnaz has been very active during the
Soviet era and even spearheaded the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Spetsnaz isn’t a single elite unit but contains several different operating teams
in both military and police forces. Some of Russia’s best-trained troops come from Spetsnaz.
Spetsnaz teams and mission parameters are similar to the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. Some
even are seen as qualified as Tier One special operators comparable to the U.S. Army Delta Force.
Spetsnaz personnel played a key role in taking over Crimea in 2014.
They became the infamous “little green men”
who seized the Crimean Parliament and hoisted a Russian flag over the building.
Spetsnaz undergoes very tough training.
At "Senezh" meaning Special Purpose Center, potential operators learn skydiving,
mountaineering, swimming and military diving, and storming buildings and homes,
while "Kubinka-2" meaning Special Operations Center focuses on maritime operations
and reconnaissance and controls several naval special operations detachments.
While official numbers are classified, between "Senezh" & "Kubinka-2",
analysts believe the size is around 2,000 to 2,500 total personnel.
The training of the officers is carried out in the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School
– RVVDKU (department of special and military intelligence and the department of the use of
special forces) and the Novosibirsk Higher Military Command School – NVVKU (department
of special intelligence and the chair of the special reconnaissance and airborne training).
The Spetsnaz are a highly mobile, well-trained and equipped, constant combat prepared special
operations force. Designed for performing specific tasks, the SOF have the ability to function
both within the country and abroad, in peacetime and in wartime
The Russian Ministry of Defense defines the term "special operation"
as "methods and ways of fighting not characteristic of conventional forces:
reconnaissance and sabotage, subversion and sedition, counter-terrorism,
counter-sabotage, counterintelligence, guerrilla, counter-guerrilla and other activities.
The Spetsnaz excel at working behind enemy lines to create chaos and confusion.
They are also very proficient in Deep Recon Missions Assisting Aerial Bombardment in
which they would send targeting data to attack helicopters and fighter-bombers.
For example, the Spetsnaz may be involved in helping coordinate air strikes
and offering damage assessments for the attacks from the ground at key targets in Ukraine.
Spetsnaz may have infiltrated Ukraine in several ways.
They may have been airlifted in with helicopters alongside the airborne units near Kyiv.
Spetsnaz deployment in other areas of Ukraine could be done by
simply shifting them through military vehicles.
There is also a dedicated special aviation brigade
for the Spetsnaz and a squadron of Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft available for them.
As per some reports, the Ilyushin Il-76 used by Spetsnaz is specially customized for them.
The United States has warned the United Nations it has “credible information” that Russia is getting
a list together of Ukrainians “to be killed or sent to camps following military occupation,”
according to a letter sent to the U.N. human rights chief. The letter was first reported
by the Washington Post and later confirmed by others, indicating President Putin intentions.
The shock troops could also help round up Ukrainian political leaders
and take them prisoner – or even in the worst-case assassinate them.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, claimed in the early hours of Friday
that the Kremlin’s special forces had entered the capital Kyiv
to hunt him and were also pursuing his family as part of a presumed regime change strategy.
The first day of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, followed the textbook strategy for land invasions.
Russian forces attacked the country’s military installations and air defense systems
with missiles launched from the air, sea and land.
But now the hard part comes.
It is a totally different thing when you put boots on the ground in cities
that are populated by armed people willing to put their lives on the line
to protect what they view as their sovereign right to self-determination.
The Kremlin will be relying on Spetsnaz to smoothen things, undermine Ukraine’s command
and control capabilities and ultimately remove its democratically elected civilian leadership.
So, it is evident that the Spetsnaz will play a critical role going forward.