Special unit "Alpha": purpose, history, major operations. Features of the special unit "Alpha Group and FSB special forces"

,
events in Vilnius (1991),
August putsch in Moscow (August 18-21, 1991),
First Chechen war (1994-1996),
terrorist attack in Budennovsk (June 14-19, 1995),
Second Chechen war (1999-2009),
terrorist attack on Dubrovka (October 23-26, 2002),
(September 1-3, 2004),
counter-terrorism actions in the North Caucasus (since 2009).

Directorate “A” of the Special Purpose Center of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (Directorate “A” of the TsSN FSB of Russia) or Group “Alpha” (until 1991 - Group “A” of the Seventh Directorate of the KGB USSR) - a special unit of the Special Purpose Centre of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, formed on July 29, 1974 in the USSR and continuing its activities in modern Russia.

In the world, Directorate “A” is better known under the name “Alpha”, given to it by journalists and which has become a well-known brand.

The special unit is designed to conduct counter-terrorism special operations using special tactics and means.

The main tasks of Directorate “A” are to carry out special power operations to prevent terrorist acts, search for, neutralize or eliminate terrorists, release hostages, etc. In addition, fighters of the Alpha group are also involved in other operations of the Russian FSB of special and increased complexity, and also operate in “hot spots”, including in such Russian republics as Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, etc.

The daily work of Alpha employees is to neutralize terrorists who hijack aircraft, watercraft, ground transport, and hold hostages in buildings.

There are essentially similar special anti-terror units in many countries around the world.

In 2011, at the international championship of special forces in the USA - “Super SWAT International Round-Up 2011” (“Super Special weapons and tactics”) - the team of Directorate “A” of the Special Forces Center of the FSB of Russia won first and second places in two categories and received the title best international team.

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History of creation

By Secret Order No. 0089/OV (OV - “Special importance”) dated July 29, 1974, on the initiative of the Chairman of the KGB of the USSR Yuri Andropov, a special division “A” (from the word “anti-terror”; secretly) was created in the Fifth Directorate of the KGB of the USSR in the KGB this is a division called the “Andropov Group”) to suppress terrorist and sabotage actions.

The decision to create Group “A” was made after the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics in 1972, the victims of which were eleven hostages - members of the Israeli Olympic team. In order to fully meet the upcoming 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, the need arose to form special secret forces capable of countering possible terrorist threats and ensuring security on the territory of the Soviet Union and, if necessary, abroad.

Only KGB officers could be enrolled in group “A”; the competitive selection was extremely severe. What was needed were people who had undergone special physical training, were fit for service in the Airborne Forces, had proven themselves positively, were also honest, devoted to their homeland, psychologically tough and conscientious. The formation of the group was carried out only on a voluntary basis.

The first base of the new squad was located in the wrestling hall on Novoslobodskaya Street in Moscow.

Later, due to the fact that it did not make sense to create a new base for the preparation and training of the detachment’s personnel, group “A” was transferred to the Seventh Directorate of the KGB of the USSR, where there were appropriate conditions for this.

In the summer of 1996, Group “A” became part of the Anti-Terrorism Center of the FSB of Russia.

In June 1997, Directorate "A" was transferred to the subordination of the Department for Combating Terrorism of the FSB of Russia.

Chronology of operations

May 10, 1989 - Saratov.

During the walk, four criminals from detention center No. 1 of the UITU Department of Internal Affairs of the Saratov Regional Executive Committee - V. Ryzhkov, G. Semenyutin, D. Levakhin and G. Zbandut, armed with sharpeners and “grenades” (painted models of bread crumb), attacked the inspectors. They presented an ultimatum: two machine guns, four pistols with ammunition, grenades, 10 thousand rubles and a car. A condition was put forward - to ensure unhindered travel from the prison outside the region. In house number 20 on Zhukovsky Street, terrorists took the Prosvirins and their two-year-old daughter hostage. They set new conditions: a plane to fly abroad, a large sum of money, drugs and vodka. The operation to free the hostages was carried out by group “A” (senior - Hero of the Soviet Union V.F. Karpukhin, deputy - M.V. Golovatov). At 3:25 a.m., the soldiers, using special equipment, descended from the roof and literally flew into the windows of the captured apartment. At the same seconds, the second group broke down the door with a battering ram and burst into the apartment. The bandit, armed with a Makarov pistol, managed to fire two shots. Taking advantage of the factor of surprise, the capture group neutralized the bandits in a matter of seconds. None of the hostages were injured.

January 15, 1990 - Azerbaijan.

-January 13, 1991 - Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR.

On the evening of January 11, 65 officers of group “A”, led by deputy commander of group “A” M.V. Golovatov and squad commander, Lieutenant Colonel E.N. Chudesnov, were sent to the capital of the Lithuanian SSR. In Vilnius, the unit was tasked with taking control of the Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting, a television tower and a radio transmission center. The buildings were surrounded by supporters of the independence of the Lithuanian SSR. Group “A” took control of all three objects and held them until the internal troops arrived. During the storming of the television tower, 13 civilians were killed and at least 140 were injured. During the seizure of the building of the Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting, Lieutenant Viktor Viktorovich Shatskikh died - he received a fatal gunshot wound to the back. After the storming of the Vilnius TV tower, the Lithuanian prosecutor's office opened a criminal case under Art. 88, part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Lithuanian SSR (attempt to commit a coup d'etat).

June 7, 1991 - Moscow, Vasilievsky Spusk.

A criminal armed with a knife captured 7-year-old Masha Ponomarenko on the Ikarus excursion bus that left the Three Station Square. Deputy Aman Tuleyev took part in the negotiations. As a result of a lightning-fast operation, the terrorist was neutralized. Senior - deputy commander of group “A” V.N. Zaitsev.

August 19-21, 1991 - Moscow.

By order of the KGB chairman, employees of group “A” blocked the dacha in the village of Arkhangelskoye-2 near Moscow, in which the President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin and people from his entourage were located. Subsequently, following the orders of the leadership, they carried out reconnaissance around the White House. On August 20, the commander of group “A”, Hero of the Soviet Union V.F. Karpukhin, was verbally given the task: “Seize the White House, intern the government and leadership of Russia.” For this purpose, he was assigned the Vympel group and the forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was impossible to take the White House without heavy casualties among the civilian population. This was the main reason for the refusal of senior officers of Group A to participate in the assault.

December 5, 1992 - Moscow, Vnukovo airport.

The release of 347 passengers on the Mineralnye Vody - Moscow flight, captured by the lone terrorist Zakharyev.

October 4, 1993 - Moscow, White House.

Employees of Group “A” (commander - Hero of the Soviet Union G.N. Zaitsev), together with the “Vympelovites”, took part in resolving the most acute political crisis, which led to mass acts of disobedience and hostilities in the center of the Russian capital. Refusing to storm the White House, Alpha representatives, on their own initiative, entered into negotiations with the leadership of the Supreme Council and the opposition, which were successful, and then ensured the evacuation of people from the burning building. While rescuing a wounded soldier near the walls of the White House, junior lieutenant Gennady Nikolaevich Sergeev was mortally wounded - he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia.

-December 26, 1993 - Rostov-on-Don - Krasnodar - Mineralnye Vody - Makhachkala.

Four terrorists took hostage a teacher and 15 students of the 9th grade “B” of secondary school No. 25 in Rostov-on-Don. 53 Alpha employees, led by commander Hero of the Soviet Union G.N. Zaitsev, flew to Rostov-on-Don on a Tu-134 plane. By the time they arrived, the bandits, having released three hostages, were already in the Mi-8. In the evening the helicopter landed in Krasnodar. Following them, Alpha landed on the An-12. On the night of December 24, the helicopter took off, heading for the Mineralnye Vody. Following him, a helicopter with special forces took off, while the main part of the Alpha went there by An-12 plane. On the evening of December 25, the criminals released one of the hostages. After handing over the money, they released the teacher and seven schoolgirls. The bandits refused to release the remaining hostages - four schoolchildren, a bus driver and two pilots. On the evening of December 27, the bandits freed three schoolchildren and a bus driver and took off, ordering the pilots to head for Ichkeria. However, pilots V. Padalka and V. Stepanov, risking their lives, directed the car towards Makhachkala. A helicopter carrying criminals landed on the northern outskirts of Makhachkala. The bandits split into pairs and tried to hide in the forest belt. However, the area where they were located was cordoned off by special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan, who soon neutralized all the criminals.

-May 27, 1994 - Makhachkala - Bachi-Yurt.

In the area of the village of Kinzhal, Stavropol Territory, four armed Chechens (leader - Magomet Bitsiev) seized an Ikarus excursion bus with schoolchildren, their parents and teachers. About 36 people were taken hostage - 33 bus passengers and three teenagers who were captured by bandits on the way. On the same day, Group A, led by commander Hero of the Soviet Union G.N. Zaitsev, received an order to urgently fly from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. The same order was given to the Krasnodar branch of Alpha. In the evening, 64 special forces soldiers were flown to Minvody. The general management of the operation was carried out by the commander of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Colonel General A. Kulikov. On May 27, the helicopter took off and headed for Ichkeria. Following him, six helicopters took off, carrying 38 Alpha fighters, 24 employees of the Main Directorate for Operational Operations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 20 special forces servicemen of the Internal Troops. As a result of a lack of fuel, the flight route was changed and a landing was made in the area of the village of Bachi-Yurt. The fighters under the command of Alpha officer Lieutenant Colonel A.E. Starikov began pursuit. Helicopters monitored the forest from the air. An hour later the terrorists were neutralized. Only one bandit managed to escape, taking away two machine guns and $47,400 - a year later he was arrested and convicted.

-1996 - Grozny, Chechnya.

Employees of group “A” took part in the fighting in Grozny, and were recruited for night reinforcement as mobile anti-terrorism groups and additional security for the Government House and the FSB building in the Chechen capital. They also ensured the personal safety of the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation O.I. Lobov, who was in the combat zone, captured armed bandits, and accompanied convoys with ZAS, ammunition and food.

-June 19, 1995 - Budyonnovsk.

Shamil Basayev’s well-armed group burst into the city in two KamAZ trucks. The militants captured a city hospital with medical staff and patients, including women in labor and mothers with infants. On the morning of June 17, in extremely difficult conditions, Alpha employees stormed the hospital. The terrorists, placing hostages at the windows, fired from behind them, which negated the success of the assault. Later, Basayev contacted the 1st Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Viktor Chernomyrdin, by mobile phone. According to the agreement reached, the terrorists were provided with a corridor. The Alpha group fighters, who were fighting in the hospital building, were ordered to retreat. Alpha officer Konstantin Nikitin, a participant in the assault, commented on these events: “Let’s assume that the Ashniks still entered the hospital and went out to the second floor. It is difficult to even imagine how they would carry out the task further, when the space between the terrorists and the fighters of the anti-terrorism group is filled with hostages. From whose bullets would they have suffered more, and what would have started, what kind of panic and confusion in this meat grinder?” Taking 123 hostages with them, the militants boarded buses and headed towards Chechnya in a column. Not far from the mountain village of Zandak, all the hostages were freed. As a result of the action of Chechen militants in Budennovsk, 130 civilians, 18 police officers, 18 military personnel were killed, including three Alpha employees - Major Vladimir Vladimirovich Solovov, lieutenants Dmitry Valerievich Ryabinkin and Dmitry Yuryevich Burdyaev. Over 400 people were injured of varying degrees of severity. About 2 thousand people were held hostage. The eldest is the commander of Alpha, Lieutenant General A.V. Gusev. This operation is still considered the unit's most unsuccessful.

September 20, 1995 - Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan.

Terrorists hijacked a passenger bus heading along the route Makhachkala - Nalchik. Some time later, the terrorists released one woman from the bus, who said that nine men, seven women and two children were on bail. The terrorists holding the hostages were neutralized by members of the Alpha special forces unit. The eldest is the commander of Alpha, Lieutenant General A.V. Gusev.

October 14, 1995 - Moscow, Vasilievsky Spusk.

In the immediate vicinity of the Kremlin, a masked man armed with a PM pistol entered a Mercedes bus with 25 South Korean tourists and declared them hostages. If the conditions were not met, the criminal threatened to blow up the bus. At 20 o'clock, FSB special forces officers took up their starting positions. The eldest is the commander of Alpha, Lieutenant General A.V. Gusev. Lengthy negotiations were held with the criminal, in which Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov participated. At about 10 p.m., the terrorist released all the detained women and three men. At 22:38, at the command of the head of the operation, FSB Director M.I. Barsukov, the assault began. The terrorist opened fire with a pistol and was killed. None of the hostages were injured.

-January 18, 1996 - village of Pervomaiskoye, Republic of Dagestan.

-September 3, 2004 - terrorist attack in Beslan, North Ossetia.

A group of well-armed terrorists under the command of Ruslan Khuchbarov, on the orders of Basayev, took over 1,100 hostages in the building of school No. 1; on the very first day they shot more than 20 hostages. In total, as a result of this monstrous terrorist attack, 334 people died, of which 186 were children, and over 800 people were injured. On September 3 at 13:05 two powerful explosions were heard in the school building. Showing exceptional courage and heroism, TsSN employees carried out a multi-hour operation to free the hostages and destroy the terrorists who offered fierce resistance. During the assault, 28 terrorists were killed (three participants in the siege, including one of the suicide bombers, died between September 1 and 2), one bandit was captured alive. While rescuing the hostages, three Alpha employees died - Major Alexander Valentinovich Perov (Hero of Russia posthumously), Major Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Malyarov, warrant officer Oleg Vyacheslavovich Loskov, as well as seven Vympel fighters.

March 8, 2005 - Tolstoy-Yurt, Chechnya.

Elimination of the President

It is better known in the world under the name “Alpha” given by journalists. The main task of this special unit is force operations to prevent terrorist acts, the release of hostages, etc. In addition, Alpha fighters also participate in other operations of the Russian FSB of special and increased complexity, and also carry out combat missions in “hot spots”, in including in Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, etc. Essentially similar special anti-terror units exist in many countries. Alpha Flight is known as one of the most effective and experienced law enforcement units in the entire world.

History of creation

The special unit was initially founded in the 5th Directorate on the initiative of Yuri Andropov after the Munich events, but then, due to the fact that there was no point in creating a new base for the training and training of its personnel, group “A” was transferred to the 7th Directorate, where there were already appropriate conditions for this.

On July 29, 1974, Chairman of the KGB under the Council of Ministers of the USSR Yu.V. Andropov signed order No. 0089?/?OV (“Of Special Importance”) on changes in the staff of the Seventh Directorate and approval of the Regulations on Group “A”.
This date is the official birthday of the special forces and is celebrated every year.

The first commander of the special forces was Vitaly Bubenin.

The Regulations read: “Group “A” is a structural subdivision of the 5th Department of the 7th Directorate of the KGB under the Council of Ministers of the USSR and carries out special tasks of the Chairman of the State Security Committee under the Council of Ministers of the USSR or the person replacing him, to suppress terrorist, sabotage and other especially dangerous criminal acts committed by hostile extremist elements from among foreigners and Soviet citizens with the aim of seizing foreign missions, their employees, especially important and other important facilities, as well as crew members and passengers of vehicles at airfields, train stations, sea and river ports on territory of the USSR."

Created to prevent plane hijackings and free hostages, Group A gradually developed into a strong structure to combat terrorism in all its forms. As subsequent events showed, the creation of Alpha was a timely and adequate call of the time.

Only KGB officers were enrolled in the group and only on a voluntary basis. The selection was very tough. The initial composition of "Alpha" was recruited from personnel fit for service in the Airborne Forces. Physical data and achievements in various disciplines were taken into account. Much attention was paid to moral and business qualities and psychological endurance.
Initially, Alpha consisted of thirty people. The place of “registration” is the Security Service of Diplomatic Representatives (DPR) of the Seventh Directorate of the KGB of the USSR.
Since the 1970s, Alpha has been armed with unique types of weapons and special equipment. Silent pistols, rifles and machine guns (including those capable of firing underwater) were created on special orders. The group's fighters use body armor made of titanium and Kevlar, as well as so-called spheres (helmets with a visor and an individual communication device).
Alpha fighters are able to drive all types of armored vehicles and have mountaineering and diving training.
Based on the world's and its own rich experience, Alpha has created and actively used appropriate tactics (for example, the Alarm Plan) that ensure success in the most difficult situations.

Management

Commanders

September 5, 1974 - April 29, 1977 - Bubenin, Vitaly Dmitrievich (retired major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

November 10, 1977 - November 4, 1988 - Zaitsev, Gennady Nikolaevich (retired major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

November 4, 1988 - August 23, 1991 - Karpukhin, Viktor Fedorovich (reserve major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

July 4, 1992 - January 31, 1995 - Zaitsev, Gennady Nikolaevich (retired major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

From March 19, 2014 to present - Kanakin, Valery Vladimirovich (Colonel, Hero of the Russian Federation)

Deputy commanders

Since 1974 - Yvon, Robert Petrovich (retired colonel.)

Tumanov, V. A.

1984-1988 - Karpukhin, Viktor Fedorovich (reserve major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

Golovatov, Mikhail Vasilievich (reserve colonel)

Emyshev, Valery Petrovich (reserve colonel)

Since the late 90s - Gumenny, Leonid Vladimirovich (Colonel)

Chiefs of Staff

The headquarters of Directorate A was founded in the 90s. It was headed by:

Savelyev, Anatoly Nikolaevich, colonel

Compound

Initially - 30 people. Since November 10, 1977 - 52 people. (Order No. 00133/OV) From January 10, 1980 - 122 people (Order No. 017) From December 21, 1981 - 222 people. (Order No. 0637) On June 30, 1984, by order of the Chairman of the KGB No. 0085, the first regional division of Group “A” was founded - the 7th department in Khabarovsk (21 people). On March 3, 1990, by order No. 0031 it was deployed to the 7th group, and the 10th group (Kiev), 11th group (Minsk), 12th group (Alma-Ata), 13th group were created (Krasnodar) and 14th group (Sverdlovsk). The staff of the regional group was 45 people.

After the collapse of the USSR, the 10th, 11th and 12th groups went to Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, respectively, and served as the basis for the formation of national special forces units.

Currently, the structure of Directorate “A” includes:

Headquarters
-5 departments (One department is constantly on a business trip to Chechnya)
-Regional departments and special forces

History of creation

The first commander of the special forces was Vitaly Bubenin.

Management

Commanders

September 5, 1974 - April 29, 1977 - Bubenin, Vitaly Dmitrievich (retired major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

November 10, 1977 - November 4, 1988 - Zaitsev, Gennady Nikolaevich (retired major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

November 4, 1988 - August 23, 1991 - Karpukhin, Viktor Fedorovich (reserve major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

July 4, 1992 - January 31, 1995 - Zaitsev, Gennady Nikolaevich (retired major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

From March 19, 2014 to present - Kanakin, Valery Vladimirovich (Colonel, Hero of the Russian Federation)

Deputy commanders

Since 1974 - Yvon, Robert Petrovich (retired colonel.)

Tumanov, V. A.

1984-1988 - Karpukhin, Viktor Fedorovich (reserve major general, Hero of the Soviet Union)

Golovatov, Mikhail Vasilievich (reserve colonel)

Emyshev, Valery Petrovich (reserve colonel)

Since the late 90s - Gumenny, Leonid Vladimirovich (Colonel)

Chiefs of Staff

The headquarters of Directorate A was founded in the 90s. It was headed by:

Savelyev, Anatoly Nikolaevich, colonel

Compound

After the collapse of the USSR, the 10th, 11th and 12th groups went to Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, respectively, and served as the basis for the formation of national special forces units.

Currently, the structure of Directorate “A” includes:

Headquarters
-5 departments (One department is constantly on a business trip to Chechnya)
-Regional departments and special forces

: “Group “A” is a structural subdivision of the 5th Department of the 7th Directorate of the KGB under the Council of Ministers of the USSR and carries out special tasks of the Chairman of the State Security Committee under the Council of Ministers of the USSR or his deputy to suppress terrorist, sabotage and other especially dangerous criminal acts committed by hostile extremist elements from among foreigners and Soviet citizens with the aim of seizing foreign missions, their employees, especially important and other important facilities, as well as crew members and passengers of vehicles at airfields, train stations, sea and river ports on the territory of the USSR" .

Until 1985, the Alpha division was personally subordinate to the General Secretary and the leadership of the KGB. The full name of the unit until August 1991 was Group “A” of the ODP service of the 7th Directorate of the KGB of the USSR.

Initially, the number of employees did not exceed 40 people. It was staffed mainly by USSR KGB officers who had undergone special training and were fit for health reasons to serve in the Airborne Forces.

Subsequently, the number of fighters increased and, taking into account the regional units created in Khabarovsk, Kiev, Minsk, Alma-Ata, Krasnodar and Sverdlovsk, by the summer of 1991 there were more than five hundred people.

Currently, about 250 people serve in Moscow, not counting three regional divisions (Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk).

After the collapse of the USSR, group "A" was part of the Main Directorate of Security (GUO) of the Russian Federation. Among other tasks, "A" until 1993 provided security for the President of the Russian Federation. In August 1995, the Alpha group was transferred from the jurisdiction of the Main Directorate of Defense of the Russian Federation to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.

In the status of Directorate "A", the unit was part of: Anti-Terrorism Center of the FSB of the Russian Federation (1995-1997); Department for the Protection of the Constitutional System and the Fight against Terrorism of the FSB of the Russian Federation (1997-1998).

Since 1998, Directorate “A” has been part of the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of the Russian Federation.

Group A conducted dozens of combat operations. On December 27, 1979, together with fighters from the Zenit group, with the support of paratroopers and fighters of the Muslim battalion, the officers of Group A captured Amin’s well-fortified palace in Afghanistan in forty-three minutes. This combat operation, during which Group A lost only two fighters, has no analogues.

On June 17, 1995, group “A” took part in the storming of the city hospital in the city of Budennovsk (Stavropol Territory), in which terrorists led by Basayev held more than a thousand people. During the storming of the hospital building, three employees of Group A were killed, fifteen Alpha fighters were wounded.

The Alpha fighters have recorded many cases of the release of hostages taken by terrorists, including in Makhachkala (on September 20, 1995, terrorists seized a passenger bus heading along the Makhachkala-Nalchik route); in Mineralnye Vody (July 31, 2001, terrorist Sultan Said Ediev seized the Ikarus bus on the route Nevinnomyssk - Stavropol), at the Dubrovka Theater Center in Moscow (October 23-26, 2002), in Beslan (September 1-3 2004, a group of armed terrorists took over 1,300 hostages in school building No. 1), etc.

Since the fall of 1999, employees of Directorate “A” have been performing operational combat missions on the territory of the Chechen Republic and in some other republics of the North Caucasus. They took part in the assault on Grozny in the winter of 2000. They account for hundreds of killed and captured warlords, foreign mercenaries, active militants and their accomplices, crime bosses and bandits.

Working on a rotational basis as part of the combined operational combat groups of the FSB Special Purpose Center, Alpha employees freed captured federal military personnel and civilian hostages. They repeatedly ensured the personal safety of top officials of the state during their visits to Chechnya.

Leaders of the Alpha group

From 1974 to 1978, the leader of the group was Hero of the Soviet Union, Colonel Vitaly Bubenin.

From 1978 to 1988, the commander of Group A was Major General, Hero of the Soviet Union Gennady Zaitsev.

From 1991 to 1992 - Colonel Mikhail Golovatov.

From 1992 to March 1995 - Major General, Hero of the Soviet Union Gennady Zaitsev.

From March 1995 to 1999, the group was headed by Major General Alexander Gusev.

From 1999 to 2000 - Major General Alexander Miroshnichenko.

Currently - Major General Vladimir Vinokurov.

The material was prepared based on information from open sources

Special forces "Alpha" of the SBU are the most combat-ready special forces of Ukraine.

Group "A" of the Center for Special Operations of the Security Service of Ukraine (full name "Center for Special Operations to Combat Terrorism, Protect Participants in Criminal Proceedings and Law Enforcement Officials") special unit Security services of Ukraine.

History of formation

The history of the special forces of the state security agencies of Ukraine begins with Group “A” - a unit for combating terrorism, later better known as “Alpha”. Group "A" of the KGB of the USSR was created on July 29, 1974 by order No. 0089/OV of the Chairman of the KGB of the USSR Yu. V. Andropov.

Group “A” entered world history as a participant in two historical events that influenced the entire course of political development of the USSR:

1. On December 27, 1979, officers of Group “A” (call sign “Thunder”), together with employees of the KUOS KGB of the USSR (special group “Zenith”), captured the well-fortified Taj Beg Palace in Kabul, which belonged to the President of Afghanistan Hafizullah Amin, in 43 minutes. Fire support was provided by a company of paratroopers of the 345th separate Guards Parachute Regiment of the Airborne Forces and soldiers of the separate 154th special forces detachment of the GRU General Staff of the USSR Ministry of Defense, better known as the “Muslim battalion.” This combat operation, during which Group A lost only two personnel, has no analogues in world practice;

2. On August 19, 1991, Group A, by refusing to participate in the storming of the White House in Moscow, prevented the death of thousands of people and the possible outbreak of a civil war in Russia.

In connection with the rampant international terrorism and taking into account the geography of the Soviet Union, in order to more effectively and efficiently suppress terrorist acts, the leadership of the KGB of the USSR decided to create regional special forces to combat terrorism in Kiev, Minsk, Alma-Ata, Krasnodar, Sverdlovsk and Khabarovsk.

In Ukraine, a special unit to combat terrorism was created on March 3, 1990. It was then that by order No. 0031 of the head of the 7th Directorate of the KGB of the USSR, the 10th Group (Kiev) of Group “A” of the ODP Service of the 7th Directorate of the KGB of the USSR was created. The order noted that “the special operational combat unit is intended to localize and suppress terrorist and extremist acts and other particularly dangerous criminal manifestations, including for conducting operations in cooperation with other interested units in the fight against organized crime.”

Candidates for regional special forces were subject to increased requirements: high moral and volitional qualities, good professional and physical training, medical suitability for service in the Airborne Forces, work experience in state security agencies of at least one year, age limit up to 33 years, and many others. Of the 120 KGB employees of the Ukrainian SSR sent for consideration as candidates for the 10th Group (Kiev) of Group “A”, only 15 employees were selected. Pyotr Feliksovich Zakrevsky, now a reserve colonel, Honorary Member of the International Association of Veterans of Anti-Terror Units "Alpha", was appointed head.

After declaring independence in August 1991, Ukraine needed to create a more powerful anti-terrorist unit in the system of state security agencies. New, more ambitious tasks were set by the President of Ukraine to the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine created on March 25, 1992.

On May 31, 1992, by order of the Chairman of the Security Council of Ukraine No. 083, in the structure of the central apparatus of the Security Council of Ukraine, the 10th Group (Kiev) of Group “A” was transformed into Service “C” (Special Service), the head of which, according to the approved Regulations, reported directly to the Chairman , and in his absence - to the First Deputy Chairman. It was a unit with a significant number of employees with important and larger-scale tasks solved by similar units in different countries of the world in the interests of their society and state.

Buivolov Yuri Ivanovich was appointed head of Service “C”.

Employees of Service "C" conducted many combat operations and completed many special tasks in the interests of Ukraine. One of these tasks was the protection and escort of those delivered to Ukraine during 1992-1993. sea and air transport of containers with the new currency of Ukraine, printed in France, Italy and Canada. Huge sums in hryvnias were in the reliable hands of special forces officers for a long time.

In August 1992, under conditions of heightened secrecy, almost the entire circulation of the hryvnia had to be transported from Canada at once. The plan provided for absolute secrecy in the preparation and implementation of the operation. A civilian ship with a regular crew was chosen for transportation, who did not know what cargo would be on board. They also deliberately refused to escort the ship by naval forces. Only the captain was privy to the details of the operation, and the top leadership of the state and the chairman of the SBU also knew about it. The campaign lasted 49 days. The ship traveled more than 11 thousand miles across the Atlantic Ocean, 8 seas and 13 straits, crossed the borders of 10 states, and called at 8 ports. At the same time, emergency situations also occurred when the special group soldiers were preparing to repel a possible attack on the ship, but everything turned out okay. Watches were normal daily work (some of the fighters performed the functions of sailors during the voyage), two-day training in hand-to-hand combat, classes in tactics for protecting the crew and cargo, and drills were conducted. There were four such trips in total.

In 1993-1994 employees of Service "S" made a significant contribution to stabilizing the political situation in the Crimean region.

By that time, for socio-economic reasons, the criminal situation in Ukraine was becoming more complicated, and tension in society was growing. In some regions, criminal groups operated almost openly. Armed conflicts often arose between them with grave consequences. The number of robberies against citizens, officials, and businessmen increased. There was a redistribution of property. Physical violence and murder have become commonplace. The lives of victims, witnesses and other participants in criminal proceedings were often at risk. Ukraine became an attractive destination for international crime - from the point of view of organizing drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and other illegal activities. All this brought the problem of combating crime to the forefront.

Therefore, by Decree of the President of Ukraine dated June 23, 1994 No. 335/94, within the Central Directorate of the Security Council of Ukraine, on the basis of Service “C”, Directorate “A” and corresponding divisions were created in the regional bodies of the Security Council of Ukraine. According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine of July 16, 1996 No. 570/96, Directorate “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine became known as the Department of Combating Terrorism and Protection of Participants in Criminal Proceedings and Law Enforcement Officers of the Security Service of Ukraine.

The Department was assigned two new functions on the basis of the Laws of Ukraine “On ensuring the safety of participants in criminal proceedings” and “On state protection of judges and law enforcement officials.” Its leader was Vasily Vasilyevich Krutov.

This is how the central division “A” arose, and then its regional departments in all regional cities of the republic and in the city of Sevastopol. They had to solve problems of physically suppressing terrorist acts and actions threatening the security of the state, releasing hostages, capturing dangerous crime bosses, protecting participants in criminal proceedings, court and law enforcement officials, and members of their families.

If necessary, ensure the safety of senior state officials, as well as carry out particularly complex and responsible assignments of the country's leadership.

The equipment and equipment of the first Ukrainian “Alfovtsy” were quite meager. The then modern protective helmets of the Swiss company TIG, as well as experienced Russian developments in this area, were only in Kyiv, and then in small quantities. Body armor was purchased from Armocom (Russia). After several trips to the United States for special forces training courses, on the basis of the brought samples of equipment and uniforms, several different types of assault overalls were made to order in Ukraine, and the production of tactical unloading vests was launched.

Selection system

The selection criteria for candidates to serve in Alpha are still strict. Candidates with experience in army special forces, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other security services are welcome. An important advantage is higher education. Particular attention is paid to psychological stability and readiness to work in extreme conditions. After all kinds of special checks, tests and interviews, the candidate takes physical training tests, among which a special place is given to hand-to-hand combat. The candidate must confidently master hand-to-hand combat techniques: blocking enemy blows, defending against a knife, stick, threatening with a firearm, releasing from holds. Each technique must be performed technically, with an element of surprise, and end with a designated blow to the enemy’s painful point, a throw, a choke, or a painful hold. In addition, sparring is carried out with three alternating fighters “A”. It is generally accepted that an employee can become a full-fledged Alpha fighter after no less than three years of service. During the training process, he must master many knowledge and skills, including parachute training, mountaineering, diving training, mine demolition, and, of course, become a first-class shooter.

All candidates for service undergo many tests and checks. Out of ten people pre-selected in the army and other special forces, no more than 1-2 candidates successfully pass the test. The main composition of the unit is officers. The candidate selection system is fully consistent with global practice in staffing such operational-combat structures.

From May 28, 1998, Directorate “A”, and then the Main Directorate “A” of the Security Council of Ukraine, according to Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 546/98 of May 27, 1998, was headed by the late Lieutenant General Birsan Alexander Semenovich, Honorary Member of the Alpha Association , Chairman of the board.

On November 30, 2000, Directorate “A” became the Main Directorate “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine, within which two directorates were organized and carried out combat missions.

On August 20, 2001, by Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 657/2001, the First Deputy Head of State Administration “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine, Sergei Mikhailovich Volkov, was awarded the rank of major general. Currently in stock.

Since February 2003, the special unit was led by the late Major General Viktor Vasilyevich Kozhelyanko.

On June 15, 2003, the 3rd department was created in the Main Directorate “A” with a location in Simferopol, Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

From October 2003 to April 2005, the special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine were headed by Melnikov Mikhail Grigorievich, now a lieutenant general, one of the leaders of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

On January 10, 2004, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, based on studying the experience of member countries of the coalition forces in Iraq, requested the Security Council of Ukraine to send ten employees of the Main Directorate “A” of the Security Council of Ukraine to Iraq for a period of one year to provide internal security for the Ukrainian embassy in the city. Baghdad and the safety of diplomats during their movements in the host country. According to the power of attorney of the President of Ukraine dated February 10 of the same year, the first group of Alpha employees who arrived in Iraq began performing special tasks for the physical protection of personnel and the building of the Ukrainian Embassy, where they continue to serve to this day. In total, over 190 employees of the Central Security Investigations Center “A” of the SBU have already been on a business trip to the Republic of Iraq.

Before departure, the group undergoes special training at the international training center near Koncha-Zaspa. There, situations of various categories of complexity are practiced, practical skills in countering terrorist attacks are polished.

All classes take place in conditions as close as possible to real ones, using ammunition. Shooting towards checkpoints, explosions along the convoy route, hostage-taking, escape routes, evacuation of protected persons - everything is like in Iraqi reality. The training center is a whole complex of structures with a training ground, shooting ranges in which various situations are simulated, a “killer house”, a helipad and many other things necessary for the full training of a special forces soldier.

Taking into account the complexity and specificity of the tasks performed, the Main Directorate has formed groups with a certain specialization. There are specialists with good airborne training, masters of mountain and urban mountaineering, diving, who are capable of going underwater from a ship, plane or helicopter in full combat gear. There are negotiators, dog handlers, engineering specialists, and highly qualified snipers.

In addition to employees of group “A” of the SBU, instructors from other special forces of Ukraine, as well as special forces soldiers from GUAM, NATO and Eastern Europe member countries, are trained at the Center. It is well known that only cooperation and exchange of experience with related units help achieve the desired results in combat work, and also contribute to the growth of professionalism and the acquisition of invaluable experience. In this regard, “A” employees travel to various countries around the world to take courses on anti-terrorism. Meetings at international exercises and numerous competitions with colleagues from former Soviet republics and foreign specialists are no less productive. At international sniper tournaments (Czech Republic, Hungary), with enviable consistency, employees of the Ukrainian “Alpha” have taken prizes for many years in a row. International tournaments for CIS prizes are also prestigious for employees of anti-terrorist units, where for many years (St. Petersburg, 2007; Yerevan, 2008) fighters from the Ukrainian “Alpha” have become the first among snipers.

We should pay tribute to the long-awaited changes in providing combat groups with modern weapons, high-quality foreign equipment and uniforms. In addition to weapons produced during the Soviet era, the following pistols are in service: HK USP, 9 mm x 19, Walther P99, 9 mm para (Germany), Fort-14 TP, Fort-17 (Ukraine), as well as various modifications of foreign pistols - machine guns and assault rifles. To the already traditional weapons of snipers - the Blaser R 93 LRS 2,308 Win and SIG-Sauer SSG 3000, 308 Win rifles (Germany) were added: Blaser LRS 2/Tactical, 338 Lapua Mag (Germany), AW and AE, 308 Win (Great Britain), Saco TRG, 308 Win (Finland).

Partial updating of equipment and equipment affected groups specializing in diving and parachute training, specialists in urban and industrial mountaineering. After general testing of various samples of camouflage uniforms, a decision was made to purchase uniforms from the American company Propper in multicam colors. Preferences in choosing shoes fell on the companies 5.11 and Haix. There is also a practice of purchasing the necessary equipment and individual samples of uniforms privately, and here preferences are often given to Russian companies, where price, quality and simplicity are combined into one whole. Body armor of the “Corsair” family and light Kevlar helmets ZShM-2, which are equipped with “A” fighters, are produced in Ukraine. Heavy titanium helmets Us 95 are purchased in Austria.

From April 29, 2005 to June 20, 2006, the head of State Institution “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine was Viktor Pavlovich Varganov, who previously headed the 2nd Directorate of the Main Directorate in Kremenchug, Poltava Region. During this period, after the reorganization of the Security Council of Ukraine, State Administration “A” was again transformed into Directorate “A”.

On June 20, 2006, Sergei Ivanovich Chaly, formerly the deputy chief of staff of the ATC under the SBU, formerly the head of the 2nd service of the 1st directorate of the State Security Service of Ukraine, became the head of Directorate “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine. Later, Directorate “A” was transformed into the Special Operations Center “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine, which included not three, but five directorates. Since September 2009, the Central Security Service “A” of the Security Service of Ukraine has been headed by Andrey Anatolyevich Suprun.

On October 1, 2011, in Odessa, for the first time in history, fighters of the Ukrainian “Alpha” entered into open hostilities with terrorists. The day before, especially dangerous criminals killed two and wounded four policemen. Having been discovered in one of the private hotels, heavily armed bandits barricaded themselves and fought off police special forces for more than four hours. And only when the Odessa department of the Central Social Security Center “A” came into play, a turning point came.

CSO “A” of the SBU has a large number of operational combat activities carried out, the seizure of hundreds of firearms, grenades and explosives, significant amounts in national and foreign currency.

In many regional cities of Ukraine, the forces of the unit have eliminated numerous gangster groups. The general public knows little about the practical affairs of the Ukrainian Alpha. Even if the press reports that SBU officers have detained members of organized criminal groups, they do not always say that this is the work of Alpha. The authority of the special forces does not suffer at all from this.

In the bodyguard market, both former and current Alpha employees are in high demand among employers, since their training in the field of personal security is at one of the highest levels in Ukraine.

An Alpha employee performs an operational technical inspection (OTO) of the vehicle. Ukrainian All-Around Championship among bodyguards, Odessa, May 25, 2013.

Today, actions worked out to the smallest detail allow us to successfully carry out the most complex special events. This is achieved through daily training. SBU special forces fighters have a high degree of mobility. In a matter of hours, the group can reach any point in Ukraine using their vehicles. If necessary, aviation is allocated to the unit.

Courageous, physically and psychologically prepared employees come to this complex and dangerous service. Many of them have experience participating in combat operations in Afghanistan, other hot spots on the planet and the former USSR. Excellent physical training is accompanied by the ability to quickly assess the situation and make the only right decision, because in real circumstances you have to risk not only your own life, but the lives of your colleagues, hostages, and other people located in places of emergency events. The high morale, cohesion, coordination and personal courage of the special forces employees allow us to say with confidence that in Ukraine there is someone to resist terrorism. The motto of the unit was and remains: “Life for the Motherland, honor for no one!”

LIFE IS FOR THE MOTHERLAND,
HONOR TO ANYONE!

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