After all, the modern Spetsnaz are really products of the Cold War, (re)created in 1957 within the GRU as battalion-strength units able to range behind NATO lines to locate and, ideally ...

The original Spetsnaz units were part of the Russian Chief Intelligence Office (GRU) and Federal Security Service (FSB).

Of the 88,000 identified soldiers, 6,000 were members of elite Russian forces, including marines, paratroopers, Spetsnaz GRU special forces (foreign military intelligence) and air force pilots.

Of the 88,000 identified soldiers, 6,000 were members of elite Russian forces, including marines, paratroopers, Spetsnaz GRU special forces (foreign military intelligence) and air force pilots.