Probably, there is no more "hackneyed" topic in specialized military publications, than the topic of special forces. If desired, in open sources you can find so much interesting and so much invented by journalists, what is breathtaking. The topic periodically arises and just as quickly disappears depending on the next victory or defeat of a special forces unit of any army in the world. Or then, when you just need to convince readers of the impending horror, who is waiting for them literally tomorrow.
Terror on the far fringes of Europe
Now such horror is for some reason necessary on the distant borders of Europe. Although, the author has his own opinion on this "for some reason", he has no facts confirming. Therefore, it would be more correct to pretend, that this phenomenon is incomprehensible to anyone.
so, in the Spanish newspaper ABC.es published another article about the "terrible units" of the armies of the world called: "Navy seals" against Russian "special forces": which of the elite units is the deadliest in the world? For those, who wants to learn something new about special forces, there, as in this material, nothing new.
I want to say right away, what for Spanish journalists, judging by the text of the article, theme "dense", like the South American jungle or the Russian taiga. And the material rather serves as an advertisement for "fur seals", than any attempt to compare the training and capabilities of soldiers of different armies. So that, in the aspect declared by the authors, it is generally not worth discussing this article.
You should not compare the capabilities of special units of different countries, like spetsnaz in general. Any department has clearly defined tasks, for which it is preparing. Someone doubts the capabilities of the "wolfhounds" from "Alpha"? In their ability to conduct anti-terrorist operations or capture (destruction) RDG potential enemy? But the work of this special unit "at zero" or "behind the line" is questionable. Other skills are needed there.
Ultimately, what is the training of specialists? This is just a competent selection of candidates. Further psychophysical training, general physical training and training in techniques and skills of a particular unit. In general, the differences appear precisely in the last paragraph.. In tactical and special training, more specifically.
The Spaniards in their article talk in sufficient detail about the admission to the special forces of the US Navy "Navy Seals". About, what difficulties the selected candidates have in training. The pinnacle of "terrible preparation" is, According to the authors, "Week in hell" , when fighters work continuously for five days during exercises at the Coronado base. Usual, generally, survival course in training specialists.
doubtfully, that these same "seals" will be able to get a maroon beret in the special forces unit of the National Guard of Russia. Similar, how to qualify for some other special forces of our armed forces. Even into its own secret structure Team 6 (Team 6) it will be quite difficult for them to get in.
by the way, another special unit closed to the public is mentioned - the Delta group (Delta Force). The very 1st Special Operations Detachment to carry out "especially delicate missions". The group is so classified, that fighters, even while at military bases in the United States, do not wear uniforms and appear as civilians of the United States Army. And the operations of this detachment, which became known in connection with major failures, talk about "delicate" operations, when really specialists are required. About victories, naturally, the press is silent.
And what about the Russians?
But what about the Russian special forces? Who Should Europeans Fear Today? And here everything is shrouded in mystery. Naturally, for Europeans from Spain. Particularly mysterious are the Special Forces of the GRU and the Special Forces of the FSB. Respectively, they, who can organize many problems for the enemy in a special period, and they, who can these problems, organized by similar structures of other armies on our territory, quickly liquidate.
Armed fighters from Chad, Libya and Sudan have arrived in CAR
Aside from beautiful words, nothing is known about the Russian special forces. Even though, that the Internet is full of videos about the operations performed. I will give an example of, what exactly is known about the special forces of Russia, according to the authors of the article. again, do not expect to find even a grain of new in the material. Only then will horror be scary, if no one can understand its essence.
so, Russian fighters pay great attention to sambo, system of struggle, which is specially created for the special forces and is very different from sambo wrestling. Further, the fighters are trained using live ammunition and real explosives (why it is in the Russian special forces that one of the highest percentages of mortality in the training process in the world). Special forces can operate as part of a unit (8-10 human), as part of a group (2-3 man) and individually.
The events in Beslan are considered the biggest failure of the Russian special forces in the West. This refers to the storming of the school captured by the militants by the "Alpha". When not only the elite units died, but there are also a lot of hostages. Total losses - 370 human. by the way, about other divisions, who would act in similar situations and perform the operation better, the authors do not tell.
In order to help authors from ABC to scare fellow citizens more with Russian special forces, I will give a quote about the selection in the special forces of the GRU of the USSR Ministry of Defense, written by former GRU fighters Anatoly Efimovich Taras and Fyodor Dmitrievich Zarutsky ("Scout training: GRU special forces system »):
Commander of a separate guards reconnaissance company, Hero of the Soviet Union Captain Dmitry Pokramovich decided the selection issue as follows: “After a forty-kilometer march, Pokramovich suddenly turned the company into a chain, on her bellies she overcame plowing, then followed by a march, then again crawling on bellies, and when the scouts had red and green circles in their sweaty eyes (it seemed, another meter - and spirit out), then a sharp, like a shot, team: “Get in one line!»
The scouts lined up facing the commander, carried out the roll call in numerical order and number, named the last fighter, irrevocably meant the payroll of the company for today. Latecomers and stragglers were expelled immediately. Pokramovich did not accept any explanations ...
Politicians will give the answer?
So why is the topic of special forces raised in the Spanish press again?? All the more so clumsy and superficial. Politicians will give us the answer. In almost all European countries, and in Russia, not to mention the USA, today the thesis about, that the world has come to that line, when any, even the smallest regional conflict can easily develop into a world war.
In these conditions, the military began active pressure on the parliaments and governments of their countries in order to increase the budget of the armed forces.. From here, the next "scarecrows". Why Russian special forces? Well agree, frightening the Spaniards with the sudden appearance of Russian tanks or the breakthrough of Russian divisions to Madrid is difficult.
And the unknown and terrible special forces are quite suitable for this. Scary killer monsters, capable of destroying single-handed companies and battalions of ordinary infantrymen, and as part of a company to take the capital of the country without much difficulty. What could be more convenient for, to scare the Hollywood-raised population? Russian special forces, similar to aliens from horror films ...
This could end the material. However, historical experience suggests that, that often big wars start with small and not at all aggressive countries. Beginning "out of fear of being conquered". Fear building happens everywhere. And faith in your own army, especially in European countries, less and less. Draw conclusions ...
Alexander Staver
