OSNAZ

OSNAZ (Russian: [voiska] osobogo naznacheniya, ОСНАЗ = [войска] особого назначения, "special purpose [detachments]") or ChON (Russian: chasti osobogo naznacheniya, ЧОН= Части особого назначения) were special forces troops within the KGB (its predecessors and its successor, the Federal Security Service) and the MVD. OSNAZ was originally the OMSBON (Otdelnaya Motostrelkovaya Brigada Osobogo Naznacheniya - Independent Special-Purpose Motorized Brigade).

OSNAZ has always been shrouded in a veil of mystery and remains so even to this day. There is no OSNAZ headquarters as the various groups were formed within the various directorates as needed.

During the Second World War the OSNAZ of the NKVD fought on the frontlines against the Nazi Germany as VDV in the form of Airborne regiments/Brigades, with some units achieving "Guards" status at the end of the conflict.

KGB/FSB OSNAZ

The known KGB OSNAZ units were as follows^[1]:

• Alpha Group or Spetsgruppa A - formed in 1974 in the Seventh Chief Directorate
• Vympel or Pennant - formed in August 1981 within the First Chief Directorate as a "sabotage" and covert action unit behind enemy lines. Mission redefined in the late 90s.

MVD OSNAZ

The Ministry for Internal Affairs (MVD) has several OSNAZ units, such as SOBR. Other MVD units such as Vityaz and "Rus" are classed as Spetsnaz units. They act under the aegis of their corresponding GUVD MVD (Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Interior Ministry). They are not secret or classified units, even if their operations may be classified.

Caveat: OMON is not an OSNAZ unit. Regular police forces (militsiya) also have their special purpose units (OMSN). MVD OSNAZ units and MVD Interior operative troops (such as ODON operatives) usually wear green or olive berets, the most skilled servicemen being awarded with a purple beret (краповый берет, krapovy beret) after succeeding in a tough competition held every year. The latter OSNAZ members are commonly called krapoviki.

Internal Troops

Spetnaz MVD (called OSNAZ by the MVD) includes 25 Internal Troops units, which are of good quality and intended for use to combat insurgency, border security and for counter-terrorism purposes. These units usually have a unique name and official OSN number. The following is a partial list of the spetsnaz units:

• 1st PSN (former 6th OSN) VV "Vityaz" – stationed in Moscow;
• 7th OSN VV "Rosich" – Novocherkassk;
• 8Th OSN VV "Rus" – Moscow;
• 12th OSN VV "Ratnik" – Nizhni Tagil;
• 15th OSN VV "Vyatich" – Armavir;
• 16th OSN VV "Skif" – Rostov.

They are very well-trained and equipped, being far superior to the regular Russian infantry. Their missions may include reconnaissance missions and regular combat operations (mostly house-to-house close quarters battle assaults). They (especially "Vityaz") have sometimes served as the back-up team during the counter-terrorist operations by team "Alpha", much like how United States Army Rangers work with 1st SFOD-D (a.k.a. "Delta Force").

Red/Russian Navy

OSNAZ is the name for Russian Navy Special Forces. Formed into 1,000 man brigades, one per Fleet. Each brigade consists of several small battalions.

Notes

1. ^ http://www.spetsnaztraining.com/view/OSNAZ

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Library of Congress Country Studies.

See also

• OMSDON
• Spetsnaz
• Special Forces
• Commando
• OMON
• SVR Strelok