Spetsnaz training largely mirrors the special forces training in
other countries with the addition of specialized training geared
toward prisoner interrogation and assassination techniques
Spetsnaz troops undergo rigorous physical training with an emphasis on endurance and strength
according to Suvorov and others Spetsnaz physical training includes running for speed and distance
endurance swimming negotiating obstacle courses and throwing entrenching tools and knives
Spetsnazovtsi must also be able to rappel from buildings and cliffs
air assault out of helicopters and parachute from fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft
like airborne soldiers Spetsnazovtsi are trained in static line jump techniques from
low-flying aircraft Russian Spetsnaz also train in various forms of parachute assaults
high-altitude low opening (Halo) insertions low-altitude heavy equipment drops and air
mobile and air assault techniques from helicopters into combat areas
Spetsnazovtsi learned to fire special weapons at their maximum range as well
as up close and personal specially silenced 9 millimeters pistols a
Spetsnaz soldier must be able to engage and hit a stationary target at 1,600 feet with a rifle
130 feet with a submachine gun and between 80 and 100 feet with a pistol
snipers reportedly must be able to engage stationary targets at 1800 feet and moving
targets 2 to 10 feet per second at 1600 feet as with infantry soldiers Spetsnazovtsi should be
able to throw a hand grenade accurately from 80 to 160 feet when standing still or when running
while there are no specific Spetsnaz winter assault or mountain assault troops
the recent creation of the El'brus Mountain Diversionary Group (MVD) and other special
units has led to increased training in both mountain and winter operations
as a result Spetsnaz training requires that soldiers be able to employ skis for
reconnaissance in mountainous areas and assaults against enemy troops entrenched in alpine settings
Rukopashni boi or hand-to-hand combat is an important facet of Spetsnaz training
fighting unarmed against an armed attacker is one of the fundamental skills learned by
both airborne forces and special operations troops several versions of Rukopashni boi
exist including Sambo unarmed combat but all stress a combination of eastern meditation and
focusing and channeling one's strength against an opponent Spetsnazovtsi learn a russian
version of hand-to-hand combat and may adopt other similar forms of unarmed combat as well