On October 24, 1954, then-Soviet Defense Minister Alexander Vasilevsky issued an order on the formation of 46 special purpose units, tasked in particular with detecting and destroying enemy nuclear weapons and its delivery vehicles.
Today's Spetsnaz, believed to be the world’s best special forces, carries out anti-terrorist operations, searches out and detains especially dangerous and armed criminals, also being involved in hostage release and other perilous missions.
The main thing is that our special forces have “the best armaments in the world to resolve any task in any spot of the world in line with orders by the Russian commander-in-chief," Sergey Goncharov, a military expert and veteran of Russia’s elite Alpha counterterror special forces unit, told Sputnik.
Russia's Spetsnaz is currently equipped with various small arms, such as pistols (among them ones with silencers), shotguns, submachine guns, carbines, machine guns, as well as non-lethal weapons, including stun guns and smoke bombs. Special equipment includes shockproof and ballistic shields, as well as tactical body armor and helmets.
Sniper Rifles
Apart from highly modified versions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, including the AK-12SP, the Russian special forces also have the so-called low-noise weapons, including the AS Val and SR-3M submachine guns as well as the VSS Vintorez and the VSK-94 sniper rifles.
They are fitted with the subsonic SP-5 and SP-6 cartridges of 9x39mm caliber, which can effectively hit an enemy wearing body armor with the maximum degree of protection at a distance of 50 meters.
According to sources, the Spetsnaz also uses such sniper rifles as the 7.62mm SV-98 and the high-precision 7.62mm or 8.6mm Orsis T-5000 weapon.
Unique Underwater Small Arms
Russia remains the only country in the world, which possesses underwater small arms, used by the Spetsnaz.
The APS underwater assault rifle is designed to destroy enemy personnel under water at a range of up to 30 meters and provide self-defense on the ground at a range of up to 100 meters.
The gas-operated APS is fitted with cartridges in the form of steel darts, which have a longer range and more penetrating power than spearguns. The rifle uses a striker-type trigger mechanism that ensures single-shot and full-automatic fire.
The APS rifle is equipped with a 26-round detachable magazine and features a retractable pull-out stock in the barrel chamber. Additionally, this rifle is protected with a special coating designed to withstand exposure to sea water.
Powerful Automatic Assault Carbine
The ASh-12 automatic assault carbine is designed for urban warfare and is renowned for its exceptional short-range stopping power, characteristics that are specifically used by special forces of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
The carbine's 12.7X55 mm cartridge was developed based on the large-caliber VSSK Vykhlop sniper rifle. Just for comparison, while an AK-74 bullet weighs approximately 4 grams, the ASh-12 boasts the lightest bullet weighing 18 grams and the heaviest bullet weighing 33 grams.
The ASh-12 has a bullpup design, which makes it more compact and maneuverable as compared to conventional assault rifles. In a bullpup firearm, its firing grip located in front of the breech of the weapon, instead of behind it.
Separately, one should mention the KS-23 shotgun renowned for its large caliber of cartridge, which amounts to 23 mm. Tthe KS-23 was developed for special services of the Russian Interior Ministry.
Assault Rifle Grenade Launcher System
The OTs-14 Groza is a bullpup assault rifle chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic cartridge.
It is particularly effective in close urban combat and boasts a modular design, enabling servicemen to easily switch between different weapon configurations.
The OTs-14 can be transformed into an assault rifle, a sniper rifle, or a small silent weapon. In addition to a silencer and an optical sight, the weapon can be equipped with a laser target designator, a tactical flashlight and other body kits.
Military expert and member of Rosgvardia's coordinating council Roman Nasonov has, meanwhile, touted the Spetsnaz’s weapons as “multifaceted and multi-quality”, something that he said is “constantly in the stage of improvement.”
“There is constant communication between existing special forces units and scientific production associations, which are happy to provide certain types of weapons for testing and receive professional assessment about the results,” the expert told Sputnik.
According to him, the Russian special forces “have, in fact, everything they need to implement missions in the air, on the ground, underwater, and even underground.”
Nasonov's assessment was echoed by Alexander Chubarov, an intelligence officer for Soviet and Russian forces, retired major general of the GRU special forces unit, who said in an interview with Sputnik that when it comes to the Spetsnaz, it is first and foremost widely known for its top-notch combat training.
“I would call a Russian special force officer a Jack of All Trades,” Chubarov emphasized.
Spetsnaz in Special Op Zone
Separately, the experts praised the Spetsnaz taking part in Russia's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.
Nasonov explained that “all kinds of Russian Special Forces are used in the special operation zone, including airborne special purpose units."
“The list and scope of tasks that Russian Special Forces resolve in the special operation zone are defined by their level of training, purpose, weapons and equipment. First and foremost, these tasks are related to reconnaissance, search-and-sabotage mission, details of which cannot be made public,” the expert said.
The same tone was struck by Goncharov, who said that special purpose units of the FSB, the Interior Ministry and the National Guard take part in the special operation. “They have excellent experience in order to take part in the missions that are now being carried out in the special operation zone,” Goncharov concluded.