Sputnik reported that exactly half a century ago, in the summer of 1974, a special unit was established in the State Security Committee of the Soviet Union - Group A (Alpha).
The group's soldiers were given tasks of special importance, many of which seemed impossible.
50 years of maturity
For a long time, the Soviet Union had no specialized anti-terrorism unit. At that time, terrorism was still very rare in the Soviet Union. But time has shown that the terrorist threat must be addressed by short-line experts and this is a national security issue.
The order to establish the anti-terrorism unit was personally issued by then-Stalvia Chairman Yury Andropov.
The special unit was commanded by border officer Vitaly Bubenin, a person with combat experience.
The best KGB staff were selected for Group A - athletes who are outstanding fighters and determined in politics.
The requirements of this group are ideal physical condition, excellent command and use of weapons and close-range techniques, moral qualities, a strong mentality, willingness to sacrifice life to complete tasks, knowing foreign languages is an advantage. Until 1985, Group A was under the mobilization of the Chairman of KGB.
Complete the task in 43 minutes
One of the first activities of Group A took place in Kabul ( Af Af Af Af Khanistan) in December 1979. Alpha Warriors, soldiers of the "Muslim Battalion" (including soldiers from the Central Asian Republics) and parading soldiers conducting the unique campaign "Storm 333" to occupy their residence and remove Afghanistan leader Hafizullah Amin from power.
The task is extremely difficult. Amin's residence is on a high hill with steep slopes covered with forest dust. The approaches are mined, with only one road leading to the building and Amin's security team has many defensive lines.
However, the mission was completed in 43 minutes, although Alpha Group also suffered losses.
After the Storm 333 Campaign, Group A began to be valued. Many types of silent weapons, compact submachine guns, especially sharp weapons and protective equipment were developed for the SS special forces.
A period of strong change
After that, the Alpha Group carried out dozens of missions in its direct responsibility - rescuing hostages.
In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union began to cracked, instability began and hot spots broke out on the territory of the Soviet Union. That is where Alpha special forces are sent.
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the next 15 years with crises and instability caused many difficulties for the new Russia, creating more work for special forces.
In 1992, the Alpha team rescued 347 passengers on a plane that was robbed at Moscow's Vnukovo airport.
Alpha also participated in rescuing students in the Rostov-on-Don hostage kidnapping in December 1993 and rescued a Korean tourist in Moscow who was arrested by a lonely terrorist in 1999.
At the same time, the special forces are also tasked with supporting Russia's counter-offensive operations against Western intelligence agencies.
In particular, we arrested the enemy spies. For example, the traitor Gennady Smetanin - a military intelligence officer who collaborated with the CIA since 1983, We took him in a way that he didn't have time to understand anything and couldn't use a thuoc lax hidden in glass" - Vice President of the International Veterans Association of the Alpha anti-terrorism unit, Colonel Vladimir Zaitsev, recounted.
Alpha continues to ensure security for Russia today. Members of the special forces participated in the special military campaign in Ukraine. They act as gunners, controlling drones and raiding the rear of the opponent's defense.
