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 that it takes your breath away. 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 when you just need to convince readers of the impending horror that awaits 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 it. Therefore, it would be more correct to pretend that this is an incomprehensible phenomenon to anyone.
So, the Spanish newspaper ABC.es published another article about the "terrible units" of the armies of the world under the title: "Navy seals" against the Russian "special forces": which of the elite units is the deadliest in the world? For those who want to learn something new about special forces, there is nothing new there, as in this material.
I want to say right away that for Spanish journalists, judging by the text of the article, the topic is "dense", like the South American jungle or the Russian taiga. And the material rather serves as an advertisement for "navy seals" than at least some attempt to compare the training and capabilities of soldiers of different armies. So, in the aspect stated by the authors, it is generally not worth discussing this article.
You should not compare the capabilities of special units of different countries, as well as special forces in general. Any unit has clearly defined tasks for which it is being prepared. Someone doubts the capabilities of the "wolfhounds" from "Alpha"? In their ability to conduct anti-terrorist operations or capture (destroy) RDGs of a 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 the techniques and skills of a particular unit. In general, the differences appear precisely in the last paragraph. In tactical and special training, to be more specific.
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 experience in training. The pinnacle of the "terrible preparation" is, according to the authors, "a week in hell", when the soldiers during the exercises at the base in Coronado work continuously for five days. The usual, in general, a course of survival in the preparation of specialists.
It is doubtful that these same "seals" will be able to get a maroon beret in the special forces unit of the Russian National Guard. In the same way as to be selected for some other special forces of our armed forces. Even in their own secret structure Team 6 (Team 6) it will be quite difficult for them to get into.
By the way, another special unit closed to the public is also mentioned - the Delta Force group. The very 1st Special Operations Detachment to carry out "especially delicate missions."The group is so classified that the fighters, even while at military bases in the United States, do not wear uniforms and appear to be civilians of the United States Army. And the operations of this detachment, which became known in connection with major failures, speak precisely of "delicate" operations, when really specialists are required. Of course, the press is silent about victories.
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. Especially mysterious are the Special Forces of the GRU and the Special Forces of the FSB. Accordingly, those who can organize many problems for the enemy in a special period, and those who can quickly eliminate these problems, organized by similar structures of other armies on our territory.
Beautiful words aside, nothing is known about the Russian special forces. Even though the internet is full of videos of transactions performed. I will give an example of what is exactly known about the Russian special forces, according to the authors of the article. Again, do not expect to find even a grain of new in the material. Horror will only be scary if no one can understand its essence.
So, Russian fighters pay great attention to sambo, a wrestling system that was specially created for the special forces and is very different from sambo wrestling. Further, the fighters are trained using live ammunition and real explosives (which is 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 people), as part of a group (2-3 people) 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 fighters. When not only the fighters of the elite unit were killed, but also a lot of hostages. Total losses - 370 people. By the way, the authors do not talk about other units that would have acted in similar situations and carried out the operation better.
In order to help the ABC authors scare their fellow citizens more with Russian special forces, I will give a quote about the selection to 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: the GRU special forces system"):
The 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, it overcame the plow on its bellies, then followed a throw-march, then again crawling on its bellies, and when red and green circles floated in the scouts' eyes drenched in sweat (it seemed, another meter - and the spirit out), then followed a sharp, like a shot, command: "Stand in one line!"
The scouts lined up facing the commander, carried out the roll call in numerical order, and the number named by the last soldier irrevocably meant the company’s payroll for today. Latecomers and stragglers were expelled immediately. Pokramovich did not accept any explanations …
Will politicians 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 United States, the thesis is openly voiced today that the world has come to the point where 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. This is where the next "scarecrow" comes from. Why Russian special forces? Well, you must admit, scaring 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. Terrible killer monsters, capable of destroying companies and battalions of ordinary infantrymen alone, and taking the capital of the country as part of a company without much difficulty. What could be more convenient 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 often big wars are started by small and not at all aggressive countries. They begin "out of fear of being conquered." Fear building is happening everywhere. And there is less and less faith in our own army, especially in European countries. Draw conclusions …
