Parts special purpose The GRU are considered the most trained units of the Russian Armed Forces. Special forces units of the GRU do not have official names, unlike, for example, the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Little is known about the actions of the GRU special forces, but these units actively participated in operations in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other countries of the world. Special forces of the GRU can wear the uniform of any unit of the armed forces.

Story
During World War II, reconnaissance and sabotage forces were subordinate to the Second Directorate of the General Staff. After the war, the units were reorganized. The first separate special-purpose reconnaissance companies were formed in 1949 as part of tank and combined-arms armies.
In 1957, the first five special forces battalions were formed; they were designed to eliminate NATO nuclear missile launchers.
The first GRU special forces brigade was formed in 1962; the main tasks are deep (up to 750 km) reconnaissance, destruction of nuclear missile launchers. Later, two training regiments were created to train officers and sergeants. The first - in 1968 in Pechora near Pskov, the second - in 1970 in Chirchik near Tashkent.
GRU special forces units actively participated in hostilities in Afghanistan, starting with the assault on Amin's palace.

Organization
According to reports, the GRU special forces now include:
2nd separate special-purpose brigade - as part of the Leningrad Military District;
3rd Guards Separate Brigade of the GRU - as part of the Volga-Ural Military District; there are reports of the disbandment of the brigade;
10th Mountain Separate Brigade of the GRU - created on July 1, 2003 in ^: the remainder of the North Caucasian Military District;
12th separate brigade of the GRU - as part of the Volga-Ural Military District; there are reports of the disbandment of the brigade;
The 14th separate brigade of the GRU - as part of the Far Eastern Military District;
16th Special Purpose Brigade - as part of the Moscow Military District;
22nd Guards Separate Brigade of the GRU - as part of the North Caucasian Military District;
The 24th separate brigade of the GRU - as part of the Siberian Military District;
The 67th separate brigade of the GRU - as part of the Siberian Military District; there are reports of the disbandment of the brigade;
The 216th Separate Special Operations Battalion is part of the Moscow Military District.

Equipment and weapons
Despite the specific tasks, the GRU special forces units mainly use the weapons of the Russian army.

Special Forces of Russia.

Conversations about special forces units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces in Lately on the lips of many. Some military observers call them some of the most famous military units in Russia. There are legends about the GRU special forces, films are made, books, essays and articles are written. The GRU spetsnaz is indeed considered the elite of the armed forces, but often what is shown in films has almost nothing to do with reality.

The real operations in which the army "specialists" took part, as a rule, are not advertised, they will not be heard on TV and will not be written in the newspapers. Almost. So, the hype in the media can only mean the failure of certain missions. Although GRushniki have punctures very rarely. Nevertheless, in connection with the latest events in the world, here and there information about "some Russian special forces" slips through.

It is clear that only the best of the best can get into this special forces, because in order to be accepted into this unit, candidates will have to go through the most severe selection. And in general, the ordinary training of the GRU special forces can shock ordinary inhabitants, but the special forces pay special attention to their training.

Unlike other special units of other security forces, the GRU spetsnaz does not have a name of its own. And, in general, these tough guys do not have the habit of being "exposed" once again. So, for example, when conducting special operations, they may be given the uniform of one of the armies of the world, and the image of the globe on their emblems means that the area of ​​operations of the GRU special forces can be limited only to the globe.

The special forces of the GRU are the "eyes and ears" of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces behind enemy lines, and often an effective tool for carrying out a wide variety of operations of a "delicate" nature. So, what is the Main Intelligence Directorate, and also what is the history of the special forces that make up its structure?

Main Intelligence Directorate: from Tsarist to the Present

The need to create certain structures that would be engaged in intelligence activities for the military department arose with the formation of the Red Army. So the end of the autumn of 1918 is the creation of the Field Headquarters of the Revolutionary Council of the republic. And the presence of the Registration Department in its structure spoke of serious intentions to collect and process intelligence. In general, this organization was engaged in ensuring the work of agents for the Red Army, as well as counterintelligence.

The field headquarters (together with the Registration Office) was established by order dated November 5, 1918. From this date, the Soviet, and later its successor, the Russian military intelligence, also counts.

However, this does not mean at all that there were no bodies in pre-revolutionary Russia that were engaged in collecting information for military structures. However, as well as special military units engaged in the execution of special, specific tasks.

For example, in the 16th century, Tsar Ivan IV established a guard service. Cossacks were selected for it, distinguished by excellent health, excellent ability to handle all types of firearms and edged weapons. One of the tasks assigned to them was tracking the Wild Field. From him the Muscovy was constantly threatened by the raids of the Tatar and Nogai hordes.

Later, during the time of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the Secret Order was organized. This body collected not only military information about the likely enemy, but also about the neighboring powers.

Under Alexander I (1817), a detachment of equestrian gendarmerie, an analogue of our SOBR, was formed. Basically, he was engaged in the tasks of maintaining internal order in the state. In the 19th century, units were formed in the Russian army, in which the Cossacks-Plastuns served.

In addition, the Russian Empire also had units that resemble the semblance of a modern army special forces. So, in 1764, Jaeger units were formed by Suvorov, Kutuzov and Panin. With their participation, special operations could be carried out independently without the main army forces. Jaegers took part in raids, sat in ambushes, fought in remote mountainous and forest areas, and in 1810 Barclay de Tolly created a Special Expedition (Expedition of Secret Affairs).

In 1921, it was decided to form the Intelligence Directorate of the Headquarters of the Red Army. The order stated that the Intelligence Agency should be engaged in the conduct of military intelligence. In the 1920s, the department carried out agent intelligence, pro-Soviet partisan formations were created in neighboring states, and active subversive activities were carried out.

After several reorganizations in 1934, the Intelligence Directorate of the Red Army was subordinate to the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR. In the 30s, Soviet saboteurs and military advisers had to successfully operate in the Spanish campaign. However, already at the end of the 30s, political repressions inflicted serious damage on Soviet military intelligence officers, many of them were arrested and shot.

In February 1942, it was decided to form the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Red Army. Actually, under this name the organization will exist for many more decades. In the post-war years, the General Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff was abolished for several years, but in 1949 it was restored again.

In October 1950, according to a secret directive, special units (SPN) were created. Their tasks included conducting reconnaissance and sabotage behind enemy lines. Immediately, such units began to be created in all military districts (a total of 46 companies were created). Later, special purpose brigades were formed on their basis. The first was created in 1962. 1968 was marked by the formation of the first special forces training regiment in the Pskov region, and two years later the second in the Tashkent region.

At first, special forces units were prepared to counter the NATO bloc. So, with the beginning (or before the start) of hostilities, special forces had to operate deep behind enemy lines. For example, for collecting intelligence and transmitting it to the Main Intelligence Directorate, actions against headquarters and other command posts, committing sabotage and terrorist attacks, sowing panic, and eliminating infrastructure facilities. As always, special attention was paid to weapons of mass destruction, namely, missile silos and launchers, airfields, submarine bases.

Special forces of the GRU took an active part in the war in the DRA, in the suppression of North Caucasian separatism. Special forces of the GRU were involved in civil war in Tajikistan, in the Georgian campaign. Many media outlets are trumpeting the whole world that special forces are now in Syria.

Nowadays, the GRU is not just DRG groups. The GRU actively conducts undercover radio-electronic and space reconnaissance, collects data from cyberspace. Russian military intelligence agents successfully use information war technologies, work with foreign political forces, as well as some politicians.

Since 2010, the Main Intelligence Directorate has been renamed. It became the Main Directorate of the General Staff, however, the old name still remains on everyone's lips.

Main Intelligence Directorate: main tasks

As soon as the special forces of the GRU of Russia were formed, the new structure faced serious tasks:

• Organization and conduct of intelligence;
• Destruction of all means of nuclear attack;
• Identification of military formations;
• Conducting special operations behind enemy lines;
• Organization and conduct of sabotage activities;
• Creation of insurgent (partisan) detachments in the enemy rear;
• The fight against terrorism;
• Search and neutralization of saboteurs.

Among others, tasks are performed on:

• Creation of radio interference;
• Violation of power supply;
• Elimination of transport hubs;
• Introducing unrest in the military and state structures of countries.

Most of the problems sound fantastic, to say the least. Nevertheless, the special forces of the GRU may well cope with them, because they have the appropriate technical means and weapons, along with portable nuclear mines.
In addition to the usual tasks for many special forces, the GRU special forces were engaged in the elimination of prominent political or public figures of the enemy states. It is alleged that later these tasks were decided to be canceled. Although, most likely they were even more classified.

Main Intelligence Directorate: personnel policy

Since 1968 in Ryazan airborne school training of highly professional special-purpose intelligence officers began. Actually, at that time, the legendary 9th company was formed. The last graduates of the 9th company went to the troops in 1981, after which it was disbanded.

Soviet special forces officers were trained at the Frunze Military Academy, and future officers were trained by the intelligence department at the Kiev VOKU, although their specialization was more like military intelligence.

The total number of GRU spetsnaz personnel is unknown. They say about six to fifteen thousand fighters.

Preparation and training of special forces of the GRU

It is quite difficult to get to the special purpose unit, but not impossible. Mostly, candidates must be physically completely healthy. It is not at all so important to stand out with impressive size, because for a special forces soldier his endurance is of no small importance. During raids throughout the day, scouts have to cope with many tens of kilometers, and all this is not done lightly. On their shoulders one has to carry more than a dozen kilograms of weapons, equipment and ammunition.

Candidates will have to pass necessary minimum, which includes:

• Three-kilometer cross in 10 minutes;
• Pulling up - 25 times;
• Running one hundred meters - 12 seconds;
• Push-ups from the floor - 90 times;
• Swinging the press - 90 times in two minutes.

One of the standards for physical training includes hand-to-hand combat. It is clear that the most thorough medical examination of all candidates is carried out.

Apart from physical training, another important factor is the presence of the candidate's psychological health: commandos must be completely “stress-resistant” and not get lost even in the most difficult circumstances. Candidates must undergo interviews with psychologists, followed by polygraph tests (this is a "lie detector"). In addition, all relatives of future intelligence officers are scrupulously checked by the relevant authorities. Parents will be required to give written consent for their son to serve in the GRU special forces.

If the servicemen still managed to get into the ranks of the special forces, then they will have many months of long and grueling training. Fighters are trained in hand-to-hand combat techniques. This approach significantly enhances the fighting spirit and strengthens the character of any special forces soldier.

It is clear that all special forces must be fluent in hand-to-hand combat techniques. At the same time, to be able to beat not only with bare hands, but also to use in battle a wide variety of objects, sometimes not at all intended for combat. Recruits are often pitted against stronger and more experienced rivals (and sometimes even several). In such cases, it will be more important for them not to win, but to hold out in sparring as long as possible. With the beginning of training, the future special forces are inspired with the idea that only they are the best.

The training of spetsnaz fighters can be characterized by increased intensity. It is usually carried out using an individualized program. So, every three or four soldiers are assigned one officer. He looks after his subordinates around the clock. It is clear that the officers themselves were trained according to a much richer program. After many years of training, it will not be difficult for each of them to independently become a replacement in any combined-arms unit.

It is hardly worth saying that the GRU special forces were classified in Soviet times more than any nuclear development. At least, absolutely everyone knew about strategic nuclear missiles, bombers with nuclear warheads on board and nuclear submarines. Then how could not every marshal know about the GRU special forces, but then what to say about the generals?

Future special forces fighters are trained to endure the most severe hardships and hardships that will put the average person above the limits of his physical capabilities. The trials include prolonged sleep and food deprivation, as well as the addition of extreme physical exertion and psychological pressure. It is clear that in the special forces of the GRU, future fighters will be taught the mastery of all types of firearms and edged weapons. Despite some specific tasks performed by the GRU special forces, its servicemen most often use standard Russian weapons.

It can be safely called the most popular military units in Russia. Dozens of films have been shot about him, hundreds of books and articles have been written on the Internet. The special forces of the GRU of Russia are the real elite of the armed forces - although, as a rule, movie scripts have little relation to reality.

Only the best get into spetsnaz, and in order to be enrolled in this unit, candidates must go through a brutal selection. The usual training of the GRU special forces can shock the ordinary man in the street - special attention is paid to the physical and psychological preparation of the special forces.

The real operations in which the army special forces took part are usually not reported on TV or written in the newspapers. Media hype usually means mission failure, and GRU spetsnaz failures are relatively rare.

Unlike the special units of other law enforcement agencies, the special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate do not have their own name, and generally prefers to operate without publicity. During operations, they can wear the uniforms of any army in the world, and the globe depicted on the emblem of military intelligence means that the GRU special forces can operate anywhere in the world.

The special forces of the GRU are the "eyes and ears" of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, and often an effective tool for various "delicate" operations. However, before continuing the story about special forces and its everyday life, it should be said what the Main Intelligence Directorate is and about the history of the special units that make up its structure.

GRU

The need to create a special body that would deal with intelligence in the interests of the military became apparent almost immediately after the formation of the Red Army. In November 1918, the Field Headquarters of the Revolutionary Council of the Republic was created, which included the Registration Department, which was engaged in the collection and processing of intelligence information. This structure ensured the work of the Red Army's agent intelligence and was engaged in counterintelligence activities.

The order on the creation of the Field Headquarters (and with it the Registration Department) was dated November 5, 1918, therefore this date is considered the birthday of Soviet and Russian military intelligence.

However, one should not think that before the 1917 revolution in Russia there were no structures that collected information in the interests of the military department. The same can be said about special military units that performed special, specific tasks.

Back in the 16th century, the Russian Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible established a guard service, which recruited Cossacks who were distinguished by good physical health, excellent skills in handling firearms and melee weapons. Their task was to monitor the territory of the "Wild Field", from which the raids of the Tatars and Nogais constantly came to the Muscovy.

Later, under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, a Secret Order was organized, collecting military information about potential opponents.

During the reign of Alexander I (in 1817), a detachment of mounted gendarmes was formed, which today would be called a rapid reaction unit. Their main task was to maintain order within the state. In the middle of the 19th century, reconnaissance and sabotage battalions, consisting of Plast Cossacks, were formed in the Russian army.

There were also units in the Russian Empire that resemble the modern army special forces. In 1764, on the initiative of Suvorov, Kutuzov and Panin, rangers' detachments were created, which could conduct operations separately from the main forces of the army: raids, ambushes, fight the enemy in hard-to-reach areas (mountains, forests).

In 1810, on the initiative of Barclay de Tolly, a Special Expedition (or the Expedition of Secret Affairs) was created.

In 1921, on the basis of the Registration Directorate, the Intelligence Directorate of the Red Army Headquarters was formed. In the order to create a new body, it was indicated that the Intelligence Agency is engaged in military intelligence both in peacetime and in wartime. In the 1920s, the department carried out agent intelligence, created pro-Soviet partisan detachments on the territories of neighboring countries, and was actively subversive.

Having gone through several reorganizations, in 1934 the Intelligence Directorate of the Red Army became directly subordinate to the USSR People's Commissar of Defense. Soviet saboteurs and military advisers operated successfully in the Spanish war. At the end of the 30s, the skating rink of political repressions thoroughly went through Soviet military intelligence, many officers were arrested and shot.

On February 16, 1942, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Red Army was formed, it was under this name that the organization existed for more than sixty years. After the war, the GRU General Staff was abolished for several years, but in 1949 it was restored again.

On October 24, 1950, a secret directive was issued on the creation of special units (SPN), which would be engaged in reconnaissance and sabotage behind enemy lines. Almost immediately, similar units were formed in all military districts of the USSR (a total of 46 companies of 120 people each). Later, on their basis, special forces brigades were formed. The first of them was created in 1962. In 1968, the first special forces training regiment appeared (near Pskov), in 1970 the second was formed near Tashkent.

Initially, special-purpose units were prepared for the war with the NATO bloc. After the start (or before it) of hostilities, the scouts had to act deep behind enemy lines, collect information and transmit it to the Main Intelligence Directorate, act against headquarters and other command posts of the enemy, commit sabotage and terrorist attacks, sow panic among the population, destroy infrastructure ... Particular attention was paid to the enemy's weapons of mass destruction: missile silos and launchers, strategic aviation airfields, submarine bases.

Special units of the GRU actively participated in the Afghan war, special forces units played an important role in suppressing separatism in the North Caucasus. The GRU special forces were also involved in the civil war in Tajikistan and in the war against Georgia in 2008. There is information that some parts of the Special Forces are currently located in Syria.

Currently, the Main Intelligence Directorate is not only sabotage and reconnaissance groups. The GRU is actively engaged in undercover intelligence, information gathering in cyberspace, and uses electronic and space reconnaissance. Russian military intelligence officers successfully apply information warfare methods, work with foreign political forces and individual politicians.

In 2010, the General Intelligence Directorate was renamed the General Directorate of the General Staff, but the old name is still more famous and popular.

The structure and composition of the Special Forces of the GRU

• The 2nd Separate Special Forces Brigade is part of the Western Military District.
• The 3rd Guards Separate Brigade of the GRU (Central Military District) was created in 1966 in Togliatti. However, there is information about its disbandment.
• 10th Mountain Separate Brigade of the GRU of the North Caucasian Military District. It was formed in 2003 in the village of Molpino, Krasnodar Territory.
• 14th separate brigade of the GRU. It is part of the Far Eastern District, was formed in 1966. The soldiers of this unit took an active part in the hostilities in Afghanistan. The 14th brigade went through both Chechen campaigns.
• 16th Special Forces Brigade, part of the Western Military District. Formed in 1963. She took part in both Chechen campaigns, in peacekeeping operations, guarded especially important objects on the territory of Tajikistan in the early 90s.
• 22nd Guards Separate Special Purpose Brigade. It is part of the Southern Military District. It was formed in 1976 in Kazakhstan. She took an active part in the Afghan war. It is the first military unit to receive the rank of Guards after the end of World War II.
• 24th separate brigade of the GRU. It is part of the Central Military District. The brigade took part in the Afghan war, in hostilities in the North Caucasus.
• 346th separate special purpose brigade. Southern Military District, Prokhladny town, Kabardino-Balkaria.
• 25th separate special-purpose regiment, part of the Southern Military District.

Also under the GRU are four sea reconnaissance points: in the Pacific, Black, Baltic and Northern fleets.

The total number of GRU spetsnaz units is not exactly known. Different numbers are named: from six to fifteen thousand people.

Training and arming the GRU special forces

Who can get into the GRU special forces? What are the requirements for candidates?

It is quite difficult to get into the special purpose unit, but not impossible.

First of all, the candidate must be in absolute physical health. It is not necessary to be distinguished by impressive dimensions, endurance is much more important in special forces. During a raid, scouts can cover many tens of kilometers per day, and they do it not light at all. You have to carry on yourself many kilograms of weapons, ammunition and ammunition.

The applicant will have to pass the required minimum: run three kilometers in 10 minutes, pull up 25 times, run a hundred meters in 12 seconds, push up 90 times from the floor, do 90 abdominal exercises in 2 minutes. One of the physical standards is hand-to-hand combat.

Naturally, all candidates undergo the most thorough and scrupulous medical examination.

In addition to physical training, the psychological health of the applicant is no less important: the commando must be absolutely “stress-resistant” and not lose his head even in the most difficult situation. Therefore, candidates must undergo an interview with a psychologist, followed by a lie detector test. Moreover, the relevant authorities carefully check all the relatives of the future intelligence officer, and the parents are required to give written consent to the service of their son in the special forces.

If a person nevertheless ended up in the special forces, he will have many months of hard training. Fighters are taught hand-to-hand combat, which greatly strengthens the spirit and strengthens character. A special forces soldier must be able to fight not only with his bare hands, but also use various various objects in battle, sometimes not at all intended for combat use... A rookie is often put up against stronger opponents (and sometimes even several), in this case it is important for him not even to defeat him, but to hold out as long as possible.

From the very beginning of training, future special forces fighters are taught that they are the best.

Future special forces soldiers learn to endure the most severe tests on the brink of physical capabilities: long sleep deprivation, food deprivation, extreme physical activity, psychological pressure. Naturally, in the special forces, future fighters are trained to master all types of small arms skillfully.

Despite the "international" specifics of the tasks performed by the GRU special forces, its fighters most often use the standard weapons of the Russian army.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

Which at different historical stages had different names (Registration Department → Intelligence Directorate of the Red Army Headquarters → Intelligence Department of the Office of the 1st Assistant Chief of the Red Army Headquarters → Intelligence Directorate of the Red Army Headquarters → IV Directorate of the Red Army Headquarters → Information and Statistical Directorate of the Red Army → Intelligence Directorate of the Red Army → 5- f Directorate of the USSR People's Commissariat of Defense → Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff → Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff).

Until 1950 (including the years of the Great Patriotic War) the structure of the Main Intelligence Directorate did not have its own military formations on a permanent basis. The Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) carried out its activities to provide the General Staff with intelligence information through an agent network abroad (strategic intelligence).

The rest of the GRU was a service that supervises the activities of intelligence agencies and reconnaissance formations of the branches of the armed forces in terms of conducting military (tactical) reconnaissance.

Spetsnaz GRU

Reasons to create

At the end of the 40s, in connection with the appearance of nuclear weapons, the USSR Armed Forces faced the question of timely assessment, detection and disabling of objects of weapons of mass destruction (carriers, storage facilities, launchers). For this reason, the military-political leadership of the USSR and the Armed Forces decided to create special units on a permanent basis, designed for operations behind enemy lines.

• reconnaissance of the concentration of enemy troops in its deep rear;
• destruction of tactical and operational-tactical means of nuclear attack of a potential enemy;
• sabotage;
• organizing the need for a partisan movement behind enemy lines;
• capture of persons with important information, etc.

The choice of the term "special" ("special purpose") for the created formations is explained by the fact that in Soviet military terminology sabotage and reconnaissance activities deep behind enemy lines are defined by the term special intelligence, which is part of operational intelligence.

The creation of these parts was entrusted to the 5th department 2nd Main Directorate General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces ( 2nd Main Directorate- the historical name of the GRU in the period from 1949 to 1953).

Creation of separate mouths

In total, according to directive No. Org / 2/395/832 of October 24, 1950, under the leadership of the GRU, by May 1, 1951, 46 separate special-purpose companies (oorspn) were created, each of which consisted of 120 people. The total strength of the GRU special forces by May 1951 was 5,520 servicemen.

Of the 46 created companies, subordinate companies were divided:

• subordination to the headquarters of the military district - 17 companies;
• subordination to the army headquarters - 22 companies;
• subordination to the headquarters of a group of forces - 2 companies;
• subordination to the headquarters of the airborne corps - 5 companies;

The scouts were trained to operate as part of reconnaissance and sabotage groups of 8-10 people. All companies consisted of two reconnaissance platoons, radio platoon and training platoon... In this state, separate special-purpose companies existed until 1957.

The first recruitment of conscripts in separate special-purpose companies was produced from the number of soldiers and sergeants who served for 2 years (at that historical period, conscript service in the Soviet army lasted 3 years).

In 1953, as a result of the reduction of the Armed Forces, only 11 separate companies remained out of 46 units.

Creation of battalions

In connection with the revision of views on the organization and methods of conducting special reconnaissance in the rear of a potential enemy, the leadership of the USSR Armed Forces raised the issue of enlarging special-purpose units. The main argument in the direction of enlargement was the impossibility of organizing comprehensive combat training of servicemen on a company-wide scale.

In 1957, on the initiative of the head of operational intelligence, Major General NV Sherstnev, the formation of separate special-purpose battalions began. According to the directive of the Chief of the General Staff OSh / 1/244878 of August 9, 1957, out of 11 separate mouths for special purposes remaining after the reduction of the USSR Armed Forces in 1953, by October 1957, on the basis of 8 companies, 5 battalions were deployed, and the remaining 3 companies were transferred to a new state with a personnel of 123 people.

Separate special-purpose battalions (obspn) were created as part of the GSVG, the SGV, the Carpathian, Turkestan and Transcaucasian military districts.

The personnel of the created battalions varied markedly:

• 26th Special Police Force (GSVG) - 485 servicemen;
• 27th security service unit (SGV) - 376;
• 36th special service station (PrikVO) - 376;
• 43rd regional special service center (ZakVO) - 376;
• 61st Special Regiment (TurkVO) - 253.

Each battalion had 3 reconnaissance companies, a special radio communications company, a training platoon, an automobile platoon, and an economic platoon.

The total strength of the GRU special forces by October 1957 was 2,235 servicemen.

Creation of brigades

In 1961, the military-political leadership of the USSR considered the possibility of creating partisan detachments in the rear of a potential enemy.

On June 21, 1961, the CPSU Central Committee issued a decree No. 338 of "On the training of personnel and the development of special equipment for organizing and equipping partisan detachments." According to this resolution, the Ministry of Defense of the USSR carried out military exercises, during which a brigade of 1,700 people was created in each military district from reserve servicemen, who, under the leadership of World War II veterans with experience in the partisan movement, mastered the conduct of sabotage activities behind enemy lines.

Based on the results of the exercises, the leadership of the USSR Armed Forces concluded that it was necessary to create permanent cadre formations as part of military districts, which in wartime would serve as the basis for the deployment of large reconnaissance and sabotage formations manned from mobilized reserve servicemen.

On July 19, 1962, directive of the General Staff No. 140547 was issued, which ordered the commanders of the military districts to form framed special brigades in the state of peacetime.

In the period from July 19, 1962 to January 1, 1963, 10 framed separate special-purpose brigades (obrspn) were formed.

Prior to the creation of the brigades on August 21, 1961, the General Directive No. Org / 3/61588 was issued on the creation of an additional 8 separate special-purpose companies by October 1, 1961.

All special-purpose brigades created in the early 60s (with the exception of the 3rd brigade) were a cadre formation, in which, according to the states of peacetime, the personnel was 300-350 people. According to the plans of the military command, upon the introduction of martial law, due to the mobilization of reserve servicemen and the conduct of 30-day training sessions, the brigades were deployed into full-fledged combat-ready formations with a personnel of 1,700 people.

According to the state of peacetime, a separate special purpose brigade consisted of:

• Management of the brigade and its subdivisions:

• detachment of special radio communications (communications battalion of 2 companies);
• mining company;
• a logistics company;
• commandant platoon.

• 1-2 deployed separate special-purpose detachments (reconnaissance battalion of 3 companies);
• 2-3 separate special forces (cropped).

• separate special-purpose brigades - 10;
• separate battalions of special purpose - 5;
• separate mouths for special purposes - 11.

Creation of additional brigades and regiments

In connection with the need for a full-fledged centralized training of junior commanders (sergeants), in 1971, the 1071st separate special-purpose training regiment was created. This regiment trained sergeants in the military registration specialty. reconnaissance commander.

Also at the 1071st regiment was created Warrant Officer School, in which the servicemen who had completed their military service in the special forces of the GRU were selected. The need for a school of warrant officers was caused by a complex training program in the military specialty deputy commander of a special task force, the training of which by conscripts was irrational.

In connection with the participation of the GRU special forces in hostilities on the territory of Afghanistan, it was necessary to create a new training formation for conscripts.

The reasons for the need to create an additional educational unit were as follows:

In this regard, the choice for the deployment of the training formation fell on the military camp of the 15th separate special-purpose brigade of the Turkestan military district, which was transferred to Afghanistan at the beginning of 1985. At the place of its former deployment in the city of Chirchik, Tashkent region of the Uzbek SSR, the 467th separate special-purpose training regiment was created.

The last special-purpose formation was the 67th separate special-purpose brigade, created in the Siberian military district in the spring of 1984.

The participation of the GRU special forces in the Afghan war

The composition of the GRU special forces for 1991

Osnaz GRU

Special reconnaissance of the USSR Navy

The first such formation appeared in October 1953 as part of the Black Sea Fleet. Subsequently, until the end of 1957, a similar formation was created in each fleet. In the Caspian Flotilla, such a formation was created in 1969. According to the organizational and staff structure, these formations were military units equal in size to the company (personnel - 122 people). They were officially named naval reconnaissance point (mw).

In wartime everything naval reconnaissance points deployed in separate special-purpose brigades... In 1968, the Black Sea Fleet's naval reconnaissance post was renamed into a separate special-purpose brigade. Despite the renaming, in fact, this brigade was an incomplete battalion (personnel - 148 people).

The task of the special intelligence servicemen was:

• reconnaissance of bases, ports and other enemy targets;
• destruction or incapacitation of warships, transport support ships, hydraulic structures, radio equipment on the coast and other facilities;
• guidance of aircraft and missile systems of the Navy at enemy targets;
• conducting reconnaissance in the interests of the forces of the fleet during the landing of the marines;
• capture of documentary data of the enemy and prisoners.

For the transfer of scouts, it was planned to use submarines, military transport aircraft and helicopters. In connection with ensuring the secrecy of the advance, the personnel of the special reconnaissance were trained in diving and parachute jumping. Officially, the military registration specialty of the personnel of naval reconnaissance points was referred to as "reconnaissance diver".

Currently, the official name is the Main Directorate of the General Staff Armed Forces Russia (GU GSh).

The GRU is subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff and the Minister of Defense, and is engaged in all types of reconnaissance in the interests of the Armed Forces - intelligence, space, radio-electronic.

The structure and strength of the GRU is a state secret. Priority in the GRU is given to undercover work, obtaining classified materials, foreign models of modern weapons. Military intelligence stations are significantly inferior to those of the Foreign Intelligence Service Russian Federation in terms of number and amount of funding, while they act more rigidly and purposefully.

CREATION
It was created in 1918 by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Field Headquarters of the Red Army on the basis of a department whose functions were to coordinate the efforts of intelligence agencies of the Red Army units and prepare intelligence information for the General Staff of the Red Army. The first official name was the Registration Department of the Field Headquarters of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RUPSHKA).

Special Forces of the GRU in Afghanistan in 1988.Photo by Mikhail Evstafiev

In 1950, the GRU special forces were created (one brigade for each military district or fleet and a centrally subordinate brigade). The main task of these units at the first stage was the fight against the main adversary - NATO countries that possessed mobile nuclear weapons. GRU special forces units played a huge role in Afghan war, in operations on the territory of the Chechen Republic.

HEADQUARTERS
The headquarters of the GRU is located in Moscow, on the Khoroshevskoe highway, in the area of ​​the Khodynskoye field. The construction of the headquarters, which is an eight-storey complex with a total area of ​​about 70 thousand m3, inside which there is a situation center, a command post, a sports complex and a swimming pool, was completed in autumn 2006. The construction cost amounted to 9.5 billion rubles

"Sovinformsputnik"
CJSC "Sovinformsputnik" Date of foundation 1991 Number of 107 people. Sovinformsputnik is an organization of the General Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, whose tasks include the sale of unclassified images taken by GRU satellites. She became famous in April 2000, when American journalists found photographs of a top-secret US military base, also known as Base 51, among the images distributed by Sovinformsputnik.

Chiefs of the GRU
Semyon Ivanovich Aralov (1918-1919)
Drabkin, Yakov Davidovich (1919, June-December)
Georgy Leonidovich Pyatakov (1920, January-February)
Vladimir Khristianovich Aussem (1920, February-June)
Yan Davydovich Lentsman (1920-1921)
Arvid Janovich Zeibot (1921-1924)
Jan Karlovich Berzin (1924-1935)
Semen Petrovich Uritsky (1935-1937)
Jan Karlovich Berzin (1937)
Semyon Grigorievich Gendin (acting September 1937 - October 1938)
Alexander G. Orlov (acting October 1938-1939)
Ivan Iosifovich Proskurov (1939-1940)
Philip Ivanovich Golikov (1940-1941)
Alexey Pavlovich Panfilov (1941-1942)
Ivan Ivanovich Ilyichev (1942-1945)
Fedor Fedotovich Kuznetsov (1945-1947)
Nikolay Mikhailovich Trusov (1947-1949)
Matvey Vasilievich Zakharov (1949-1952)
Mikhail Alekseevich Shalin (1952-1956)
Sergey Matveevich Shtemenko (1956-1957)
Mikhail Alekseevich Shalin (1957-1958)
Ivan Alexandrovich Serov (1958-1963)
Pyotr Ivanovich Ivashutin (1963-1986)
Vladlen Mikhailovich Mikhailov (1986-1991)
Evgeny Leonidovich Timokhin (1991-1992)
Fedor Ivanovich Ladygin (1992-1997)
Valentin Vladimirovich Korabelnikov (1997-)

GRU structure

Throughout the history of its existence, the GRU structure has undergone several reorganizations. In its current form, according to the data available in the publications, the GRU structure consists of 12 main directorates and 8 auxiliary departments and directorates. Main Controls:
First Directorate - European Community Countries
Second Directorate - the countries of Northern and South America, UK, Australia, New Zealand
Third Directorate - Asian Countries
4th Directorate - African Countries
Fifth Directorate - Directorate of Operational Intelligence
Sixth Directorate - Radio Intelligence Directorate
Seventh Directorate - NATO
Eighth Directorate - sabotage special forces
Ninth Directorate - Directorate of Military Technology
Tenth Directorate - Directorate of War Economy
Eleventh Directorate - Directorate of Strategic Doctrines and Armaments
Twelfth Office

Subsidiary Departments and Departments:
Space Intelligence Directorate
Human Resources Management
Operational and Technical Department
Administrative and technical department
Office of External Relations
Archive department
Information service

Special training for GRU officers is carried out at the GRU Academy (Military Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Defense). Preparation is carried out at three main faculties:
Faculty of Strategic Intelligence
Faculty of Intelligence and Operational Intelligence
Faculty of Operational and Tactical Intelligence

The Academy has postgraduate studies and Higher Academic Courses