Weapons for the elite: what the FSB special forces and the Belarusian Alpha choose. Simulation of TsSN "a" - "alpha" Russian special forces alpha

It is often called “Gyurza”. And although in official documents Russian Defense Ministry, self-loading pistol Serdyukov is not called that; it is sold for export exactly as Model 055C GYURZA. According to its characteristics, this pistol can rightfully be called the most penetrating in the world.

2016

The designer after whom the pistol is named, Pyotr Ivanovich Serdyukov, made a revolutionary breakthrough in the design of domestic pistols. But only specialists know about this.

The widely known and most popular TT and PM pistols ( Tula Tokareva and Makarov pistol) cannot be considered completely domestic. When creating the TT, the Browning pistol was taken as a basis, and the PM is a redesigned Walter police officer. They were once good, but with the development of individual armor protection they completely lost their power.

The need for a new personal weapon for an officer arose in the late 1980s, back in the USSR.

The pistol, known as RG055, SR-1 “Vector”, SR-1M “Gyurza”, and in 2003 officially adopted by the Russian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the designation SPS - Serdyukov Self-loading Pistol (GRAU index 6P35), was developed at the Central Research Institute Precision Mechanical Engineering (Klimovsk) by Peter Serdyukov and Igor Belyaev.

At the beginning of 1991, the developers from TsNIITOCHMASH on the topic of Rook development work were given the task of developing a new pistol complex consisting of a pistol and a cartridge, which in its performance characteristics would be superior to similar weapons that are most commonly used in equipping foreign armies developed countries, while two basic designs were tested - with a free bolt and a movable barrel, and with the use of recoil energy during a short stroke of the barrel when it was rigidly locked.

The first system was not successful, but the pistol of the second design, although rejected by the army, aroused the interest of various Russian special services in the mid-1990s, in particular the FSB and the FSO. All this led to the deployment in Russia of a number of programs to improve short-barreled weapons. At the first stage of this work, which ended by the beginning of the 90s, specialists from the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering from Klimovsk near Moscow determined the requirements for a promising pistol complex. For this reason, it was decided to create weapons in 9 mm caliber, but according to Western standards, where the caliber of weapons is measured by rifling, and not by fields, as was customary in the USSR.
, 2016 According to the given tactical and technical requirements, the designer of the institute A. B. Yuryev, together with technologist E. S. Kornilova, under the leadership of I. P. Kasyanov, began to develop a new, very powerful 9x21 mm pistol cartridge with a bullet with high damaging effect. This cartridge received the manufacturer's index RG052.

The assignment for the development of a new pistol stipulated that the target firing range should be 50 m. But even at the very beginning of the work, the leading designer of TsNIITochmash Petr Ivanovich Serdyukov, having realistically assessed the prospects of the cartridge being developed, decided that under these conditions it was quite possible to create a pistol with sighting range shooting 100 m.

It should be noted here that many of Serdyukov’s employees are able to aimed shooting they simply didn’t believe it with a pistol at such a range. As one of his closest assistants, Igor Belyaev, recalled, the dispute was resolved very simply.

Having secured the chest part of the body armor on a stand and moved away 100 m, Pyotr Ivanovich Serdyukov hit it several times with TT and Walther P-38 pistols, brilliantly proving to his opponents that it is not enough to have a good pistol, you also need to be able to shoot from it. However, a pistol with an effective firing range of 100 meters still had to be created.

In accordance with the assignment, by the fall of 1991, P. I. Serdyukov created prototypes of two systems - 7.62 mm PS and 9 mm PS (PS - Serdyukov pistol) chambered for 7.62 × 25 and 9 × 21 mm cartridges (the customer of the pistol assigned them the index 6P35 at that time). Moreover, the old 7.62x25 mm TT pistol cartridge was chosen not so much at the request of the customer, but for testing the automatic pistol.
, 2016 The reason for this decision was that the new 9x21 mm pistol cartridge was just being created, and therefore was available in very small quantities, and it was expensive at that time. The differences between the pistols were only in the caliber of the barrel, the dimensions of the chamber, magazine and the inside of the handle.

As a result, only in 1993, after modifications were made, during which the dimensions and weight of the pistol were reduced, and the design of the bolt and some other parts was changed, a pistol under the name “9-mm self-loading pistol PS” was released (PS - self-loading pistol , index RG055).

After the delivery of a pilot batch of 50 pistols to special units in 1993 law enforcement agencies, its trial operation began. At the same time, this sample began to be demonstrated at various exhibitions and offered for sale abroad. Trial operation revealed some shortcomings of the pistol.

When testing the pistol for “hydrophobia,” swelling of the barrel was discovered. To eliminate this shortcoming, it was necessary to increase the thickness of the barrel walls, which led to an increase in its mass. In this regard, it was necessary to reduce the mass of the shutter. At the same time, the technology for its production was somewhat simplified. During the revision, the design of the rear sight was simplified. To facilitate aiming in low light conditions, the front and rear sights had recesses filled with light enamel. After modification, the second version of the RG055 pistol was born. It differed from the first purely externally in the flat oblique sides of the bolt (instead of the radius surface in the first version) and the simpler design of the rear sight.

Material on the topic

In the process of eliminating them, the strength of a number of critical parts was increased. The cartridge, which during development received the name RG052, also continued to improve. It was finalized by I.P. Kasyanov. Trial operation of the pistol showed the need to slightly reduce the initial zero speed. The core zeros began to be made from a different grade of steel and using advanced technology.
, 2016 The improved cartridge received the developer index RG054. After the first batch of RG055 pistols appeared, the FSB drew attention to them. Special units of this department required powerful and compact weapons.

After completing the first tests at a specialized training ground of the Ministry of Defense, the customer decided to continue work at TsNIITOCHMASH to further refine the pistol only chambered for the 9x21 mm cartridge with a bullet with a heat-strengthened steel core.

Difficulties in financing work on the topic, as well as the loss of interest in the pistol chambered for 9x21 mm on the part of the Ministry of Defense, led to the fact that in 1993 the Russian Ministry of Security (now the FSB) ordered the development of a new pistol based on the RG055 pistol and the RG052 cartridge . Based on the interests of the customer of the pistol, a number of new requirements were presented to it, and the whole topic began to be called “Vector”.

In the course of further work on the pistol, the strength and service life of its parts were significantly increased. The bore began to be chromed. The thickness of the handle was increased to 34 mm, and the total length of the pistol increased by 5 mm and amounted to 200 mm.

There was corrugation on the side and end surfaces of the handle, and in the lower part there was an eyelet for attaching a cord. The magazine cover began to be made of impact-resistant plastic and thicker than that of the RG055 pistol, which also increased the ease of holding the pistol. As a result of the changes and improvements made, a complex was born, consisting of the SR-1 pistol and the SP-10 cartridge.
, 2016 It was put into service in mid-1996. The name “Vector” is not included in the resolution on the adoption of this complex for service, but we can safely assume that, according to the now established unofficial tradition, it will become the second name of the pistol.

The lack of regular funding and orders within the country in the early 90s forced the company to develop an export modification of the pistol complex and offer it for sale abroad.

This modification received the commercial name Model 055C GYURZA, and it began to be demonstrated at various foreign and Russian arms exhibitions. An export modification of the SP-10 cartridge was also created for it under the developer designation RG054.

The use of a proper name, so unusual for domestic small arms, “Gyurza,” appeared during a discussion of the need and prospects for selling abroad an export version of the new pistol complex.

At a meeting with the then director of TsNIITOCHMASH A.V. Khinikadze, this name was proposed by the deputy head of the department - one of the leaders of the team for the creation of the pistol complex, Vladimir Fedorovich Krasnikov. His considerations, however, were quite specific - a bite from a viper, like a shot from a new pistol, is fatal.

In 1997, the Russian Ministry of Defense again returned to considering the possibility of adopting a pistol complex chambered for 9x21 mm. The SR-1 pistol, already accepted for equipment by the FSB and some other law enforcement agencies, was considered as the basis.

The pistol was tested by specialists from the Ministry of Defense testing site. Work on additional testing of the pistol complex was named “Granit”.

Based on the test results, a number of comments were made about the pistol. In particular, complaints were again expressed about the shape of the handle, as well as about the relatively large force required to release the magazine latch - this complicated its replacement.

Based on the results of these tests, the pistol was again modified. It received a more conveniently shaped handle, a push-button magazine release and a slightly modified rear sight design. The new version of the weapon was named the 9-mm Serdyukov self-loading pistol (SPS). The names of the cartridges have also changed.

The 9x21 mm pistol complex includes the following cartridges: 7N28 with a bullet with a lead core in a bimetallic jacket, 7N29 with a bullet with a steel core and 7BTZ with an armor-piercing tracer bullet.

To maintain an acceptable weight of the pistol for the new powerful cartridge, it was necessary to use an automatic circuit with a short barrel stroke. To ensure reliable operation of the automation in difficult operating conditions, an original locking system was created.

The automatic pistol operates on the principle of recoil of the barrel with a short stroke. The bolt casing completely covers the barrel in the firing position. An ejector is mounted in its recess on the right. The semi-hidden trigger is accessible to the thumb of the hand holding the weapon.
, 2016 Here it is worth noting the fact that Browning’s “blowback” was very seriously modified, and here the specialists, in fact, invented a fundamentally new scheme (although it is worth saying here that the contactor is used in the locking system of Walther P-38 and Beretta pistols 92, and for quite a long time) which has no analogues in the world yet (or at least not declared).

At the moment of firing, the barrel is locked with a special part - the barrel lock, which, when the bolt moves backward, rotates in a vertical plane and comes out of the grooves of the bolt, thereby ensuring the disengagement of the barrel and the bolt.

Other original technical solutions were also used in the new pistol. The return spring is located around the movable barrel, for which a patented solution is used in the form of a special stop (return spring stop) for the rear end of the spring, while the front end of the spring rests against the bolt. During shooting, this part remains motionless relative to the pistol frame. By the way, a Russian invention patent was issued for this technical solution.

Armamid molded impact-resistant plastic is used in the design of the pistol frame. A pistol grip is made from it, integral with the trigger guard. Metal fittings are fixed in the upper part of the frame. It serves to direct the movement of the bolt and secure a number of pistol parts in it.

The trigger mechanism of the pistol is a hammer, double action. However, it has one peculiarity. To fire the first shot by self-cocking, the hammer must be pre-cocked. The mainspring is located in the trigger. The trigger pull force is 1.5-2.5 kg, and when firing with self-cocking - 4-6.5 kg.
, 2016 Safe handling of the pistol is ensured by two automatic safety devices. One of them, located on the back of the pistol grip, blocks the trigger, the second, located on the trigger, stops the trigger. The expediency of having such fuses on the pistol is justified as follows.

A pistol is a weapon, the decision to use it is made almost instantly before shooting. At a time when your life is in danger, you should not waste time taking the weapon off the safety. That is why it is advisable to carry the SR-1 pistol with a cartridge chambered in the barrel. Placing the trigger on the safety cock in this case allows you to immediately open fire as soon as you take the pistol out of the holster. Some users permanently disable the handle safety by wrapping the handle with tape or tape.

The pistol barrel has six right-hand rifling.

SPS sights are fixed, located on the bolt body, and have white inserts to facilitate aiming. Aiming at different distances is carried out by moving the aiming point in height.

The double-row magazine for 18 rounds with a staggered arrangement does not protrude from the handle. The magazine body has rows of holes that facilitate and allow you to determine the number of cartridges in it. The magazine release button is located behind the trigger on the handle.

Early production samples of the SR-1 did not have a slide stop, but the latest SPS pistols received a slide stop that was automatically turned off when a new magazine was inserted into the pistol. The magazine is released by pressing large and index fingers on the stopper latch located behind the trigger guard. Removing the magazine is facilitated by a feeder spring, which pushes it out of the handle.

All over the world there is a good old weapons tradition of making special gift weapons based on military ones. They didn’t forget it at TsNIITochmash either. Local craftsmen have mastered the art of filigree finishing and a new pistol.

The pistol marking began to contain the manufacturer's trademark, the type of ammunition used on the right and left sides of the pistol grip and the serial number. The production of the pistol was established at TsNIITochmash and at OJSC Kirov Plant Mayak in Kirov. They can be distinguished by the size of the trigger guard (on the Kirov pistol it is slightly larger) and by the manufacturer’s trademark markings on the side surfaces of the handle. The sign of TsNIITochmash is the head of an owl, and the Mayak plant is a stylized mathematical sign - a radical.

For the creation of a pistol complex, the development group was awarded a government prize at the beginning of 1996 Russian Federation. This pistol is distinguished by good accuracy and high penetration.

In August 1997, at the invitation of the Americans, in the USA at the test site Marine Corps A demonstration of a number of samples took place in the state of Florida special weapons, developed at TsNIITochmash. The RG055 pistol was also presented.

Prudent Americans, taking advantage of the opportunity, asked to test their body armor. Imagine the surprise and despair of the FBI representatives after all the bulletproof vests they presented were pierced without any problems with a pistol from the Russian special services. Although it is worth noting here that the shooting was carried out with armor-piercing cartridges, which, however, does not in any way detract from the combat qualities of the pistol.

The pistol has a “sleek” shape. The main advantage of the new pistol is its very high effectiveness against targets protected by body armor or obstacles such as the sides of a car, for which the pistol received a specially created 9x21mm SP-10 cartridge (original designation RG052) with an armor-piercing bullet.

Later, in addition to SP-10, a number of 9x21mm caliber cartridges were developed, including cartridges with expansive (SP-12), low-ricochet (SP-11) and tracer (SP-13) bullets. With the SP-10 cartridge, the pistol is capable of successfully hitting targets wearing class 3 body armor with rigid elements at distances of up to 50-70 meters. It can also pierce the cylinder head block of a car engine. In addition, the SPS pistol has a fairly high magazine capacity and is adapted for operational use. Currently in service with the FSB and FSO forces, it is offered for export.

Special units of the FSB of Russia such as TsSN (Center special purpose as part of Directorates “A”, “B” and “USO”), various ROSNs (Regional Special Purpose Department) are often forced to work very delicately. A terrorist who took civilians hostage, or a bandit who hid in the house after another “case,” or militants of the ISIS group banned in the Russian Federation are sitting in an apartment and preparing “hellish machines” for their atrocities in the name of the pseudo-caliphate... The FSB special forces are not it is especially important who to “take”, but for the successful implementation of an operation plan very often specific, silent methods are required... And here modern models of silent small arms come to the rescue.

Special units of the FSB of Russia today are armed with such complexes as the special assault rifle AS “Val”, the special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez” chambered for 9x39 mm SP-5 and SP-6 cartridges, the PSS “Vul” pistol chambered for the special silent cartridge SP-4 (due to the “locking” of powder gases inside the cartridge case there is no flash and sound of a shot), the SR-3M assault rifle with a removable silencer, the SR-2M “Veresk” submachine gun chambered for a powerful 9x21 mm SP-10/11/12/13 cartridge and a line of modern Kalashnikov assault rifles with the ability to install PBS.

An employee of the TsSN FSB of Russia with a submachine gun SR-2M "Veresk" with a "silencer" / Photo: Konstantin Lazarev
Special automatic machine AS “Val” with an additional handle and collimator sight/ Photo: Konstantin Lazarev Special cartridge SP-4 / wikipedia.org SP-5 and SP-6 cartridges

All these weapons have one thing in common - moral and physical aging. As you already know, on the territory of the Patriot Park in the Moscow region, the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2017” was held in August 2017, which was very rich in new small arms. The Kalashnikov Concern (owner of a separate pavilion) presented newest sample silent machine gun for special units AMB-17 chambered for 9x39 mm cartridge similar to “Val” and “Vintorez”. The FSB became interested in the new product.

Very little is known about the new machine yet. It is certain that it will become small-sized and lightweight, thanks to the widespread use of composite materials. In 2018 new development"Kalashnikov" should enter state tests, and then before combat use near. It’s no secret that the most promising new small arms in our country are being “shot” and tested by employees of “Alpha” and “Vympel”

https://youtu.be/tkYqtVdqdMo

Sources: vk.com, Kalashnikov concern

SIG SG 550 assault rifle

SIG SG 550 assault rifle.

Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle

Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle.

Having adopted the G3 into service in 1958, Germany did not switch to the smaller 5.56 mm caliber ammunition for a long time. Reconfiguring the G3 rifle for the new cartridge did not cause any problems. This was done already in 1968, when the NK 33 model appeared, which was an analogue of the G3, converted from a caliber of 7.62 to 5.56 mm.

FAMAS F3 assault rifle

FAMAS F3 assault rifle.

For several post-war decades, the French army was armed with MAS 49/56 self-loading rifles chambered in a unique 7.5 mm caliber cartridge, which was not used in any NATO country, although the French MAT 49 submachine guns had the standard NATO caliber - 9 mm.

Valmet/Sako assault rifle

Valmet/Sako assault rifle.

After the end of hostilities, Finland, which had a hard time surviving World War II, did not dare to join NATO, fearing the reaction of the powerful USSR. Relying solely on own strength, the military command introduced universal conscription and a reservist system, which made it possible to quickly deploy a peacetime army into thousands of self-defense troops.

FN SCAR assault rifle

FN SCAR assault rifle.

In 1987, the US Armed Forces formed new structure- US SOCOM (US Special Operations Command - “command special operations USA"). It united special units of the Army, National Guard, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

M4 and Colt Commando assault rifle

M4 and Colt Commando assault rifle.

Colt, a manufacturer of M16 A2 rifles, established in the 1980s. release of a whole family of assault rifles of the 700 series. Most likely, the number 7 in the designation is the number of types of rifles produced in different years Colt company.

M16 assault rifle

M16 assault rifle.

In 1963, a new weapon was adopted into service in the United States to replace the 7.62 mm M14 rifle. This was an epochal event in the history of wars. For the first time, a rifle with a reduced caliber of 5.56 mm was put into service. It had the designation M16 A1.

Beretta AR70 and AR70/90 assault rifles

Beretta AR70 and AR70/90 assault rifles.

The first standard rifle of the army of post-war Italy was the American M1 Garand self-loading rifle. The famous company Pietro Beretta was involved in the licensed production of this weapon. In 1959, the Italian Army adopted new model Beretta VM 59.

CETME assault rifles

CETME assault rifles.

Immediately after the end of World War II, a state enterprise CETME - Centra de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales ("Research Center for Special Technical Materials"), which was engaged in the production of ammunition, gunpowder and explosives.

TAR 21 assault rifle

TAR 21 assault rifle.

For several decades, a number of assault rifles have been in service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). various designs And different manufacturers. These are the American M16 and M4, produced both in the USA and in Israel under license, the American CAR 15 rifles from Armalite, as well as modifications of the Israeli Galil rifle.

Galil assault rifle

Galil assault rifle.

Specialists from the Israeli company IMI (Israel Military Industries) have never denied that the prototype of this weapon was the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifle. From the beginning of its existence, Israel was surrounded by the armies of the Arab League, which were armed with Soviet AK-47 assault rifles.

L85 assault rifle

L85 assault rifle.

The history of the development of this weapon is perhaps the longest in modern practice. Back in the early 1950s. British designer Noel Kent-Lemon presented a completely non-standard EM2 rifle to the British military.

FN F2000 assault rifle

FN F2000 assault rifle.

In the mid-1990s. leading design bureaus Western countries were developing a new universal type of small arms to arm soldiers of the 21st century. The customer was the joint command of NATO countries.

FN FAL and FNC assault rifles

FN FAL and FNC assault rifles.

Europe had just begun to recover from the wounds inflicted by the Second World War, and work was already in full swing in the design bureau of the famous Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale. A group of engineers led by Dieudonne Seve began developing an automatic assault rifle.

Steyr AUG 77 assault rifle

Steyr AUG 77 assault rifle.

After World War II, Austria became one of the founding countries of the NATO bloc. In 1958, the Austrian army adopted the M58 assault rifle, which was a modification of the FN FAL rifle from the Belgian concern Fabrique Nationale.

Russian special forces weapons

Army weapons

Army weapons.

One of the most common types of weapons is military-style weapons. On its basis, hunting versions and self-defense weapons are created, and most often they end up in private hands in their original form.

Army Weapon Review

Review of army weapons.

It is no secret that the basis for such developments was the Czechoslovak Scorpion submachine gun. This sample belongs to the so-called small submachine guns, which are almost no different in size and weight from automatic pistols.

Automatic grenade launcher complex OTs-14 "Groza"

The OTs-14 “Groza” automatic grenade launcher system was developed in the early 1990s. for arming special police forces operating in dense urban areas. At the same time, the designers sought to create a weapon that would ensure reliable destruction of openly positioned manpower, including personal armor protection, light armored vehicles and vehicles, and at the same time give a minimum number of ricochets. We also took into account the fact that installing an under-barrel grenade launcher, necessary for solving these problems, on a weapon of a classical layout design significantly worsens the balance of this weapon. In addition, to facilitate the introduction of the new complex into mass production, it was decided to unify it to the maximum extent with the serial 5.45-mm Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle.

A prototype of the complex was demonstrated in 1994. It included an assault rifle, a VII-25 under-barrel grenade launcher, and special SP cartridges. 5 and SP. 6, fragmentation rounds VOG-25 and VOG-25 P.

The machine gun is designed according to the “bullpup” layout with the automatic mechanisms and magazine placed behind the fire control handle. This made it possible to significantly reduce the length of the weapon, reduce its “bounce” under the influence of recoil force, and, in the presence of an under-barrel grenade launcher, to ensure balance with the location of the weapon’s center of gravity in the area of ​​the fire control handle.

Silent small arms grenade launcher systems "Silence" and "Canary"

In the 1970s, it was adopted by special forces brigades Soviet army and special forces units of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR, the silent rifle-grenade launcher system “Silence”, developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise, began to arrive. The creation of the complex was due to the fact that for solving a number of special tasks (destructing missiles on the march and launch positions, defeating light armored vehicles, helicopters and airplanes on the ground, etc.) the effectiveness of special silent small arms was insufficient.

The “Silence” complex includes: a special silent modification of the 7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle with a folding shoulder rest AKSMB with a silent and flameless firing device PBS-1; 30-mm special silent under-barrel grenade launcher BS-1; special combat cartridge 7.62 x 39 mm US (reduced speed) with subsonic initial speed weighted bullet and a throwing cartridge based on the standard 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge.

A special feature of the complex is that it combines not only two types of projectiles (bullet and grenade), but also two basic principles of reducing the sound level of a shot - expansion of powder gases in a variable-closed volume (gas cutoff) and preliminary expansion and cooling of powder gases before releasing them into the atmosphere.

Sniper rifle SV-99

The SV-99 rifle was developed by designers of the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant. It is intended primarily to arm fighters of special forces assault groups of the police, FSB and internal troops Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, leading fighting in dense urban areas. It can also be used as an individual weapon of the second number in a large-caliber sniper rifle.

This purpose of the rifle determined the choice of ammunition for it - a 5.6 mm rimfire cartridge (.22LR). Although the effective fire range of this cartridge does not exceed 100 m, and the destructive effect of the bullet is relatively small, the cartridge is excellent for creating both precision weapons short range, and for weapons of silent and flameless shooting. When creating the SV-99, the designers used individual technical solutions previously implemented in the biathlon rifle BI-7 -2 (“Biathlon-7 - 2”) and hunting carbine"Sable".

Special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez”

The special forces of the KGB of the USSR and reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Soviet army in 1987 received a very effective silent sniper complex(VSK), developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise P. I. Serdyukov and V. F. Krasnikov in accordance with the tactical and technical requirements approved by GRAU at the end of 1985.

The complex includes a special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez” (GRAU index 6 P29), a 9-mm special cartridge SP. 5 (index GRAU 7 N8), optical or night sight and accessories.

The sniper rifle is the main component of the complex. It is designed according to a classic layout scheme and is equipped with automatic reloading mechanisms that operate using the energy of powder gases discharged through a hole in the barrel into a gas chamber located above the barrel in a plastic fore-end. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, which has six lugs.

The striker-type impact mechanism ensures firing in single shots and bursts. The fire mode selector is located inside the trigger guard behind the trigger. When the translator lever is moved to the right, a single fire is fired (there is one white dot on the right side of the receiver behind the trigger box), and when the lever is moved to the left, a continuous fire is fired (there are three white dots on the left side of the receiver).

Rifle sniper complex VSK-94

The VSK-94 silent rifle sniper complex was developed by the Tula enterprise KPB in 1995. It is intended to arm special police forces and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as reconnaissance groups of army special forces. The complex can be used as an individual weapon of the second crew number of a long-range sniper rifle, while allowing silent shooting in automatic mode significantly increases the capabilities of a sniper pair.

The complex includes the VSK-94 sniper rifle itself and special 9 x 39 mm SP cartridges. 5, SP. 6 or PAB-9, optical sights PSK-07 (day) and PKN-03 M (night), as well as a container-case for carrying the complex.

The rifle was developed on the basis of the 9-mm assault rifle 9 A-91. It has the same automatic reloading mechanisms, which operate by using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel when fired.

Automatic 9 A-91

To arm soldiers of special police units and special forces units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KPB in the early 1990s. developed a small-sized assault rifle 9 A-91. The assault rifle was adopted by the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in 1994. The command of the Russian Army also showed a certain interest in the assault rifle, since it can be armed with military personnel who are not directly involved in hostilities: drivers of transport vehicles, radio station and radar operators, etc. .

The machine gun is designed according to a classic layout using automatic reloading mechanisms operating according to a well-developed scheme using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel bore. Automation gas engine with a long stroke of the gas piston; to give the rod the required length, the gas chamber is extended forward. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, which is equipped with four lugs.

The reloading handle located on the right side is rigidly connected to the bolt frame.

The hammer-type trigger mechanism allows firing single shots and bursts.

Automatic OTs-11 "Tiss"

Due to the aggravation of the criminal situation in the Russian Federation in the early 1990s. under the auspices of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, special rapid response departments (detachments) were created in the republics, territories and regions. There was a strengthening of special purpose police units (OMON), created back in Soviet times, as well as special purpose units, operational brigades and divisions of internal troops. The units of these formations were armed with army small arms, which were unsuitable for combat operations in dense urban areas. Bullets from live 5.45- and 7.62-mm cartridges gave a lot of ricochets and created a danger for passers-by who accidentally found themselves in the special operations zone. At the same time, the stopping effect of these bullets was not enough.

A weapon specially created for use in police special operations was the small-sized OTs-11 “Tiss” assault rifle. It was created in the early 1990s, and in 1993 the first batch of assault rifles of this type entered service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

In order to speed up the development and organization of mass production of new weapons, a standard AKS-74U assault rifle was used as a prototype, which was modified for new ammunition - SP cartridges. 5 and SP. 6.

Special automatic machine AS "Val"

Since the late 1980s. The AS “Val” special assault rifle (GRAU index 6P30) also entered service with special forces units of the KGB and the Soviet Army.

Currently, the AS "Val" is part of the armament of special forces units of many law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. The machine was developed by a group of designers from the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise, led by P. I. Serdyukov. It is part of a silent machine gun complex, which also includes a special machine gun cartridge SP. 6 and affiliation. The complex is designed to defeat the enemy during special operations in conditions requiring silent and flameless shooting.

When developing the AS "Val", the VSS "Vintorez" rifle was used as a base; more than 70% of the parts and assemblies of these weapons were unified. Like a rifle, the machine gun has automatic reloading mechanisms that operate by using the energy of powder gases discharged through a side hole in the barrel. The barrel bore is locked using a rotating bolt, which has 6 lugs, using cutouts in the receiver. The rate of fire is 800 - 900 rounds/min, combat rate of fire is 40 - 60 rounds/min.

Underwater special assault rifle APS

Like the SPP-1 special underwater pistol, the APS special underwater assault rifle is designed to arm scuba divers of the naval special forces of the Navy. Research aimed at creating underwater small arms has been carried out in the USSR since the late 1950s.

In the 1960s they were activated, as underwater saboteur units were created in the fleets of a number of NATO countries.

The result of many years of research and development work was a unique, still unparalleled in the world, APS automatic machine (“underwater special automatic machine”), developed by the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise. Its first versions were designed by an employee of this enterprise, P. A. Tkanev, and subsequently the leading designer was V. V. Simonov. The assault rifle was adopted by the naval special forces of the USSR Navy in 1975. Its production was organized at the Tula Arms Plant.

Although the APS assault rifle is designed for firing underwater, its design, in principle, differs little from conventional land-based models of automatic small arms. It has automatic reloading mechanisms, the operation of which is based on the use of the energy of powder gases removed from the bore of a smooth barrel when fired.

Automatic SR3 "Whirlwind"

Currently, the 9-mm small-sized SR assault rifle is currently being mass-produced and entering service with special forces units of various law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. Z. The machine was developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise A.D. Borisov and V.N. Levchenko. At the development stage, it was designated MA - a small-sized assault rifle; it was adopted into service in 1996 under the designation SR. Z (SR - special development).

Relatively small size and weight of the SR. These make it one of the most compact and convenient small arms for special operations, ensuring the destruction of protected targets at a range of up to 200 m. CP. The Z is designed on the basis of the 9-mm AS Val silent assault rifle, which, in turn, is a variant of the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle.

The main difference between SR. The main benefit of the prototype is the absence of a shot silencer, which made it possible to design the weapon as compact and suitable for concealed carry.

Submachine gun PP-93

Disadvantages of the PP-90, which reduce the effectiveness of its use by special forces units. These disadvantages include, first of all, the comparative long time bringing the PP-90 into combat position, as a result of which special forces soldiers did not always have time to respond with fire in time to a sudden enemy attack.

The insufficient length of the stock and unsatisfactory ergonomics also cause criticism.

Due to the fact that many of the disadvantages of the PP-90 were due to the need to ensure its folding when transferred to the stowed position, it was decided to develop a new submachine gun based on the PP-90, the compactness of which in the stowed position is ensured by the metal butt folding forward and upward. great length.

The Tula enterprise KBP presented a prototype of a new submachine gun under the designation PP-93 for testing in 1993. It is intended for arming special police units and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The PP-93 can be used by crews of armored vehicles and helicopters; due to its compactness, the submachine gun is used for concealed carry by law enforcement officers.

PP-90 submachine gun

After what happened in the West in the late 1970s. kidnappings and murders of famous politicians and businessmen, the American Eugene Stoner (E. Stoner) developed a folding submachine gun FMG (Folding Submachine gun) for the security services, produced by Ares in a small series. In the stowed position, it looked like an inconspicuous metal box the size of a portable radio, which within a few seconds turned into a formidable weapon capable of repelling an attack by armed terrorists.

The USSR became interested in a folding submachine gun. At the end of the 1980s. The Tula enterprise KBP was tasked with developing a similar weapon. A prototype of the Soviet folding submachine gun PP-90 was ready in 1991. After short tests, it was adopted by army and police special forces, and it also entered the units of the Main Directorate of Security and Federal service security of the Russian Federation. The PP-90 is close in design to the IMS submachine gun.

Shooting knife OTs-54 “Kit”

A very effective example of a personal weapon for fighters in special forces units is the OTs-54 “Komplekt” system.

The system includes a shooting knife, a saw with large teeth, an ax, as well as a carrying bag with compartments for an awl and other accessories necessary for long-term operations behind enemy lines.

The shooting knife is the main element of the OTs-54 system. It consists of a handle and a blade. The trigger mechanism of the firing device is mounted in the handle, made of electrically insulating material, and a blade is attached, approximately equal in length to the bayonet-knife of an AKM assault rifle. The firing device is designed in such a way that its 9-mm barrel chambered for the PM cartridge can be replaced with a barrel chambered for a different caliber. Options for a shooting knife chambered for 7.62 x 42 mm SP cartridges have been developed. 2 or SP. 3,5,45 x 18 mm MCP and 9 x 18 mm PM.

Scout shooting knife NRS/NRS-2

Shooting knives were personal weapons of attack and defense for military personnel of special reconnaissance units of the Soviet Army and the KGB of the USSR. They are also used by unit soldiers Russian special forces. Knives are designed to defeat an enemy in close combat with a blade, when striking or throwing, as well as with a shot without noise and flame at a distance of up to 25 m.

The first example of a shooting knife was the NRS (scout shooting knife), developed in the 1970s. under the leadership of R. D. Khlynin. The knife was assigned the index GRAU 6 P25.

The NRS was created on the basis of a conventional HP reconnaissance knife chambered for a 7.62 mm special SP cartridge. 3, ensuring silent and flameless shooting. It differs from the basic sample in that a disposable firing device is mounted in the rear part of the handle, consisting of a detachable barrel with a locking device and two locking protrusions made on the barrel, a trigger mechanism, a cocking lever, a safety lever and a release lever.

Underwater pistol SPP-1

Work on the creation of an underwater pistol for arming scuba divers of the naval special forces of the Navy began in the USSR in 1966. They ended in 1970 with the adoption by the Navy of an original pistol complex developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise O. P. Kravchenko and P. F. Sazonov . The complex consists of a 4.5 mm special underwater pistol (SPP-1) and an underwater pistol cartridge 4.5 x 39Ya SPS (with a steel bullet). The complex also includes ten cartridge clips, a holster made of artificial leather, a device for loading clips, a waist belt for carrying and three metal cases for loaded clips. Production of the complex was established at the Tula Arms Plant.

The “highlight” of the complex is the SPS underwater cartridge with a high elongation needle-shaped bullet inserted into a special sleeve with a blunt head. The action of the cartridge is based on the use of a physical phenomenon - cavitation (from the Latin savitas - “cavity”, “emptiness”).

PSS "Vul" pistol

In 1983, a unique pistol complex, intended for use as a personal weapon of covert attack and defense, entered service with special forces units of law enforcement ministries and departments of the USSR. Silent shooting and no flash when fired make this complex an almost ideal weapon for special operations. The complex was designed in the early 1980s. designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise Yu. M. Krylov and V. N. Levchenko. It includes the “7.62-mm self-loading special pistol PSS” (index GRAU b P24), a special pistol cartridge SP. 4 and a holster.

The most interesting element of the complex, which ensures silent and flameless firing from a pistol, is the special SP cartridge. 4, which uses a very effective scheme for reducing the sound level of a shot - “cutting off” the powder gases.

Pistol SME "Groza"

In the 1960-1970s. In the USSR, various types of silent small arms were developed for the so-called cartridge with cut-off of powder gases. This weapon belongs to systems with the expansion of powder gases in a variable-closed volume and is intended to hit targets in special operations that require silent and flameless shooting.

One of the first types of weapons chambered for a cartridge with a cut-off of powder gases was created by the designers of the Tula Arms Plant in the late 1960s. It was a pistol with the factory designation T03-37 M. It was adopted into service by the Soviet Army and the KGB of the USSR in 1972 under the designation “7.62 mm small-sized special pistol (SME).” It was also given the name "Thunderstorm".

Pistol PB

The PB pistol (“silent pistol”, index GRAU 6 P9) was developed by the designer of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise A. A. Deryagin. It was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1967. The main purpose of the pistol is to silently defeat the enemy at short distances.

The PB was developed on the basis of the Makarovn PM pistol and is distinguished, first of all, by a modified design of the barrel and bolt, integrated with a silencer. The muffler consists of a casing with an expansion chamber placed on the barrel and a nozzle with a separator screwed to the front of the casing. When fired, the powder gases following the bullet enter the expansion chamber, where they lose energy and speed. For the same purpose, a nozzle with a separator is used, in which powder gases swirl in counter-flows. As a result, powder gases flow out of the hole in the front of the muffler at subsonic speed, without producing the sound of a shot. At the same time, complete muffling of all sound sources is not ensured; the sound is sharp

On July 29, 1974, by order of the Chairman of the KGB of the USSR Yuri Andropov, a secret unit was created in the Seventh Directorate - Group “A”. The decision to create it was made after terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, which killed 11 members of the Israeli team. On the eve of summer Olympic Games In 1980, Moscow needed to ensure security on the territory of the Soviet Union.

The main tasks that the group faced were the fight against terrorists and other extremist entities, as well as the release of captured hostages, vehicles and government facilities on the territory of the USSR and beyond.

Until 1985, Group “A” reported personally Secretary General and the leadership of the KGB. At that time, the special unit consisted of no more than 40 employees.

• The first composition of Group "A"
• alphagroup.ru

Since 1990, Alfa members have been active participants in counter-operations in the North Caucasus. After the collapse of the USSR and the reorganization of the KGB, Group A was transferred to the subordination of the Federal Security Service. The unit's employees received additional tasks to protect senior officials of the state.

In 1995, the anti-terrorism group became part of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia, and from 1998 to this day, Directorate “A” has been part of the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia.

Today Group "A" is better known as "Alpha" in the world.

Combat chronicle

During the existence of the anti-terrorist unit, its employees conducted more than 30 successful special operations.

The famous seizure of Amin's palace in Kabul on December 27, 1979 is considered the baptism of fire for Group A.

“Alfovtsy”, together with fighters of the “Zenit” group (48 people in total), with the support of the “Muslim battalion” and paratroopers, stormed a well-fortified palace in 43 minutes. Combat operation in Afghanistan still has no analogues in the world. At the same time, Group A suffered its first losses - two soldiers died in the line of duty.

• This is how Alpha fighters saw Amin’s palace before the assault. Photo from 1979
• specnaz.ru

In December 1988, employees of the anti-terrorism unit had to free children taken hostage. In the city of Ordzhonikidze, armed bandits seized a passenger bus with fourth grade students. The criminals set conditions - to provide them with a plane and unhindered travel to any country.

For about seven hours, the commander of Group “A” Gennady Zaitsev conducted negotiations with the bandits on the radio.

“We were given instructions: “Not a single hair should fall from the child’s head. Children must be released,” Zaitsev said in an interview with RT. “The criminals’ demands were wild: to give them weapons and body armor. According to the rules, doing this is strictly prohibited, but sometimes the situation forces you to deviate from the canons. We had to partially satisfy their demands. They gave me a bulletproof vest - for it, a child or two, and I also had to give away one machine gun.”

As a result, all thirty children were released, and the bandits were detained by Group A employees in Israel.

On June 17, 1995, terrorists took more than a thousand people hostage in the Budyonnovsk city hospital. The Alpha unit was involved in the operation to free the people. The soldiers stormed the building. During the special operation, three employees of Group A were killed and 15 were seriously injured.

• Hostages held by the group Chechen militants in the hospital in Budennovsk, during liberation
• RIA Novosti
• Alexander Zemlyanichenko

“This was the first operation of this scale in world practice,” Alexey Filatov, a participant in the counter-operation in Budyonnovsk, vice-president of the international anti-terrorist association “Alpha,” recalls those events in a conversation with RT. — For the first time, there were such a huge number of people hostage and so many terrorists armed to the teeth. They were even better armed than us. None of the old-timers of the group will remember such a density of fire in a battle that lasted more than four hours, it was just a rain of bullets.”

“Alfa members” have participated in the release of hostages more than once. In 2002 - in the Theater Center on Dubrovka, and in 2004, employees of the anti-terrorism unit stormed a school in Beslan, captured by armed terrorists, who on September 1 took more than 1,100 people hostage, most of whom were children.

Also, the fighters of Group “A” participated in operations to detain spy-traitors and repeatedly protected the lives of top officials of the state.

“They guarded Vladimir Putin when he was in Chechnya in 1999. We were ready to take the fight if necessary and give our lives for our president if necessary,” said Alpha unit veteran Colonel Vitaly Demidkin to RT.

Selection criterion

The Alpha unit is considered the elite of Russian special forces. It is very difficult to become one of the Group A employees. Candidates must undergo a strict selection process. RT's interlocutors - veterans of Group "A" - told how they ended up in the ranks of the special forces.

Gennady Zaitsev took over as commander of Group A at the invitation of the head of the Seventh Directorate of the KGB. He said that the first time, after weighing the pros and cons, he refused. And only when the offer came a second time did he agree.

Veteran of the Alpha anti-terrorism group Igor Shevchuk told RT that he purposefully went to serve in the unit.

“It was no accident that I ended up at Alpha. I learned about the group while still a cadet: I read the book “Alpha Didn’t Want to Kill” and wanted to serve in this unit. I graduated from the border school, passed all the exams, but failed to get into the group the first time. In 2003, he finally became an employee of Group A,” says Shevchuk.

Vitaly Demidkin also first became acquainted with the anti-terrorism unit when he was very young. He stated that education and physical training helped him in many ways to become one of the Alpha members.

“I got into Group A in 1979. I learned about the unit while still a cadet. I am a paramedic by training, the commission paid attention to this. But besides this, I passed all the exams perfectly. That’s how they took me,” Demidkin recalls.

All RT's interlocutors - veterans of the Alpha anti-terrorism unit - noted that one of the main selection criteria is very good physical fitness, ideal health and professional suitability.

• Alpha special forces training
• YouTube video screenshot

“The selection is quite tough. After exams and tests, interviews with commanders follow. Then the commission comes to the family for an interview, looks at the situation, how the person lives, warns loved ones what awaits them in the future and what risks this entails,” Shevchuk noted.

A fighter from the Alpha unit must always be ready to go on a mission. “Our officer, for the most part, does not belong to himself, he is always in combat readiness,” emphasized Sergei Goncharov, president of the Association of Veterans of the Alpha anti-terror unit.

In Soviet times, personnel were recruited exclusively from KGB officers who had undergone special training. Today, according to Goncharov, there are military schools in Russia from which future “Alfa members” are selected.

“Those who are capable of serving in Alpha are selected from among the students of military schools. They are trained from the very beginning of their service until they graduate from college, and then they are sent for special training. Out of a dozen who try, one or two succeed,” Goncharov noted.

The Alpha phenomenon

However, to become a combat unit of the Alpha division, physical data and great desire are not enough. Excellent analytical skills required high speed thinking. Important feature service in Group “A” is the ability to work in a team and be ready to always, in any situation, come to the aid of a friend.

“An important circumstance for serving in this unit is mutual assistance,” Zaitsev emphasized. “Confidence in each other must be unconditional: if someone takes a bullet, then he is sure that the comrade next to him will definitely cover him and help him.”

“Alpha” has its own spirit and its own traditions, which are important for the formation of a cohesive team.

“It is wrong to consider a special forces soldier as a kind of Rambo who risks his life and acts alone,” Alpha veteran Mikhail Fedotov noted in a conversation with RT. — On the contrary, it is a team of people that can work as a single mechanism. And all this thanks to traditions and many years of experience passed down from generation to generation.”

“The phenomenon of the unit lies in the fact that even if a person is young, he has a family, he is still ready to take risks to save the lives of people he does not know,” Fedotov emphasized. — You need to have a certain psychology in order to understand all this and not retreat in difficult times. People bury their comrades, and the next day they go into battle and make life in our state safer.”

Life after service

The service life of the Alpha unit fighters is on average 10 years - the psychological and physical activity. However, veterans of the special forces told RT that “it is impossible to simply leave Group A.”

According to Zaitsev, he has still not been able to move away from the group regime, although he is preparing to celebrate his 83rd birthday in September.

• Group A commander Gennady Zaitsev
• RIA Novosti
• Ramil Sitdikov

“When I retired, I felt destitute,” said the Alpha veteran. — I had a strict schedule, I got up before 06:00, and was already at the unit at 08:00. My comrades and I created the Alpha-95 Security Agency in 1995. I am now the head of this structure. I also get up at 06:00 and arrive an hour before the start of the working day, probably out of habit. My experience with the military has been more than 60 years.”

After his retirement, Demidkin began to engage in the security business. But nostalgia for his service in Group “A” still haunts him.

“I left Alpha when I was 51 years old. For a long time I could not believe that I was left without service, without work. At first I was depressed. It was as if I got out of the carriage onto the platform to have a smoke, and my train left without me,” Demidkin said.

Currently, more than 500 retired Group A fighters are members of the Association of Veterans of the Alpha anti-terror unit. Combat brotherhood“Alpha people” remain faithful all their lives.

• Association of Veterans of the Anti-Terror Unit "Alpha"
• alphagroup.ru

“This is where real male friendships are made, tested in the most difficult, deadly dangerous situations, this friendship cannot be stronger,” Filatov emphasized.

Pride of Russia

Alpha Squad - elite unit Russian special forces.

“Today’s officers are very well equipped, very physically prepared, they have a lot of modern technology and weapons. In modern conditions of the growing threat of terrorism, these points are extremely important. On at the moment I consider Alpha to be the most prepared unit in the world, Russia should be proud of this,” says Goncharov.

Group A is known throughout the world as one of the most highly qualified, experienced and effective anti-terrorism units.

“The name “Alpha” thundered throughout the world after a series of military operations. The Americans looked at us with their mouths open. They also have a similar division, but everything about them is so “film-like.” We didn’t shout to the whole world, but worked effectively,” Fedotov noted.

Brilliant and well-coordinated work of employees special unit Foreign colleagues also celebrate anti-terrorism.

“Alpha” was not the first to be created. Anti-terrorism units have already operated in Great Britain, Germany, and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also served in such a group, and he once said that he considered Alpha the best unit in the world,” said Zaitsev.

“Alfo members” often take part in competitions of anti-terrorism units in different countries, and foreign colleagues can evaluate their work.

“When I served, the South Korean anti-terrorism unit “White Tigers” admitted: “Yes, we are good specialists, but the best unit is Alpha.” They had reason to say so, because there was an exchange of experience - our guys went to them, and the Koreans went to us,” Shevchuk said.

Alpha veterans are rightfully proud of their combat past and remember their years of service as the best in their lives. “The entire service in the group is one big bright moment, because it is a great honor for every officer to be among the Alpha men,” Shevchuk concluded.

No person in or on the premises modern Russia, who would not be familiar with the legendary Alpha special forces. There are some plausible and not so plausible stories about the fighters of this formation. They say that they dodge bullets, master technology, survive in any conditions, and much more. These are something like superheroes for Russians.

The Alpha special unit is the bright dream of every second boy. We are unlikely to know what special forces actually are, but there is publicly available information that puts together a good picture.

History of creation

At least twice, KGB officers came to power. We all know one thing, and the first was Yu. Andropov. On his order and the initiative of the head of the Seventh Directorate of the KGB, General A. Beschastny, the Alpha group was created on July 29, 1974. The special forces were initially called simply group “A” of the ODP service of the 7th KGB directorate. It is no longer known who came up with the idea for such a euphonious name, but in 1991 the formation began to be called “Alpha”.

The main task of the group was the fight against terrorism, the release of hostages, vehicles, buildings, objects on the territory of the USSR and abroad. Initially, there were 40 fighters, but their numbers were constantly growing, and by the collapse of the Alpha Union there were already 500 officers with branches in various cities, such as Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Alma-Ata, Kyiv, Minsk, Krasnodar, Khabarovsk. The units that found themselves abroad became the basis for the formation of national special forces units of the breakaway countries, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

In 1991, during the coup in Moscow, the Alpha special forces became a terror for the defenders of the White House. They were intimidated by the special forces soldiers, they were expected. However, the officers refused to participate in the assault. Unfortunately, V.V. In 1998, Putin issued an order to reorganize the Alpha special forces, not only group A, but also group B - Vympel. Headquarters, directorates and support units were disbanded. The combat groups were brought to the Anti-Terrorist Center. Hearing about this, US representatives came to Russia to offer jobs to highly qualified specialists. According to official sources, none of the officers left - they decided that they would find work in their home country.

At the moment, Directorate “A” includes headquarters, 5 departments, one of which is in Chechnya, as well as regional divisions and services.

Groups "A" and "B"

If the special unit "Alpha" is group "A", then it is logical that there are others. The second most famous special forces unit is Group B, or Vympel. The fates of these two formations were strongly intertwined. There are officers who served in both places. There were joint operations, for example, the storming of Amin’s palace - then it was the Zenit group. It didn't last that long. “Zenith” and “Cascade” were united on August 19, 1981 into group “B” (the official name is the Separate Training Center of the KGB of the USSR).

The main task of the Vympel was to conduct reconnaissance on enemy territory, sabotage activities, and the fight against terrorists. IN peacetime fighters check the security of specially protected objects of their state, carry out conditional sabotage in order not to lose their qualifications and maintain the security of objects in good shape.

The fighters took part in military conflicts in Baku, Yerevan, Karabakh, Abkhazia, Nakhichevan, Chechnya, Transnistria, and Moscow.

Known operations

One of the first operations was the transportation of a Soviet dissident to Switzerland in 1976 and his exchange for Despite the nervous situation, everything was successful.

The most high-profile operation, after which they began to fear the Alpha group, was the storming of Amin’s palace in Afghanistan in December 1979. With the support of a battalion of paratroopers, two groups of special forces broke through under heavy fire and crushed the resistance. Despite the good training of the guards, the advantageous position and the number of 250 people, the Alpha special unit completed its task, losing two people during the operation. They were awarded the Order of the Red Banner posthumously.

In January 1991, troops were brought into Vilnius and captured the television center and television tower. Within 23 hours, in agreement with the government of Lithuania, 67 employees of the Alpha group arrived under the guise of it was necessary to stop broadcasting and take control of the facilities, without allowing civilian casualties. Special forces soldiers fought their way through the crowd using rifle butts; the worst part was in front of the building. The group was well illuminated, and fire was opened on them. Someone from the crowd also started shooting. As a result, one of the employees was shot in the back. The barricades could not stop the special forces. The security was disarmed and civilian activities were stopped.

During the riots in Moscow in 1991, special forces refused to participate in the storming of the White House. The fighters tried not to interfere in such events when forces within the country were fighting for power. Their help was needed only in negotiations. If it is possible to resolve the matter without casualties, you need to go this route. The fighters think the same thing, because this is Alpha!

Special unit. How to get there?

Getting into an elite combat unit is not easy. The selection takes place in several stages. The FSB special forces recruit candidates from officers, warrant officers and military school cadets. First you need to get a recommendation from an employee of Vympel or Alpha, or from a veteran of such units. Preference is given to cadets from universities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and FSB institutes.

Restrictions

For candidates, as well as for assault units, there are height restrictions. The fighter must be taller than 175 cm. This parameter appeared due to the characteristics of the equipment - heavy armored shields are very large and with a shorter height they will drag along the ground. They can make an exception only if the candidate’s merits outweigh his shortcomings. For example, the Alpha special forces may include small, flexible fighters who can crawl into narrow hatches and hard-to-reach places.

The second limitation is age. You must be under 28 years of age, or have combat experience and come from other structures of the TsSN.

Physical testing

This is not the biggest obstacle for a trained fighter or a good athlete. In group “A” the requirements are slightly higher than in “Vympel”. The Alpha special forces of Russia give their candidates less rest and more workload. The exercises are standard: pull-ups, running, abs, push-ups, complex strength exercises and sparring. Hand to hand combat here is not the same as during certification for maroon beret. You need to not only survive, but also show what you are worth.

Passive defense is not encouraged; fresh hand-to-hand combat can give the candidate an opportunity to work. Injuries are possible, but if you are afraid of this, then you should not go to such a unit. Candidates from other formations have additional requirements, such as swimming and shooting.

Special training

After the series psychological tests and the polygraph, a conversation takes place with the candidate’s family. They must also agree to serve. During initiation, the fighter is given a branded knife, which the Alpha group uses in its operations. Special forces conduct training quite harshly.

All fighters, without exception, undergo airborne and mountain training and other special disciplines. As part of the units, a fighter studies for three years. It is also necessary to master specialization in order to be an expert in your field. For insufficient zeal, they are expelled from the unit.

“Alpha” is a special unit of the FSB, and according to an unspoken rule, fighters serve in it for at least five years. This is necessary to train a first-class specialist. Many continue to serve further.

Official losses

Despite their training, Alpha Group officers die in operations. According to official data, during the history of its existence the unit lost 16 fighters. Two died during the storming of Amin’s palace, one in Vilnius was shot in the back from a crowd of civilians, another during riots in Moscow in 1993. Three were immediately lost during the operation in Beslan.