SPETSNAZ (Spetsial'noye Naznacheniye): The Soviet Union's Special Operations Forces.
Abstract
Soviet special operations forces or SPETSNAZ (spetsial'noye naznacheniye) are often misidentified, commonly attributed with performing 'super-human' endeavors, and are usually referred to in exaggerated numbers. Many of their political activities, which contribute toward maintaining communist party rule within the Soviet Union and its influence outside the Soviet Union, are often incorrectly compared ('mirror-imaged') with American military special operations. In many situations, SPETSNAZ are often deployed because they are politically reliable, and not because their mission is a special operation. Historical analysis and a literature comparison was the methodology used for investigating the nature of SPETSNAZ. Many authors writing on SPETSNAZ apparently borrowed from other authors, embellishing originally inaccurate information which had to be compared, culled, and verified. Historical inference was also important since information on SPETSNAZ activities before and during the Second World War is more widely available than sparse post-war information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA169710
Entities
People
- Stephen S. Beitler