Spetsnaz[note 1] (Russian: Спецназ) are special forces in many post-Soviet states. Historically, this term referred to the Soviet Union's Spetsnaz GRU, special operations units of the Main Intelligence …

Oct 31, 2024 · Spetsnaz, an abbreviation of “special purposes forces” in Russian, is a term that describes the specialized units of the Russian military, law enforcement, and intelligence services.

The Russian acronyms SPETSNAZ (spetsialnogo naznacheniya) and OSNAZ (osobogo naznacheniya), both meaning "special purpose", are general terms used for a variety of special operations forces (or …

Aug 9, 2025 · Spetsnaz refers to elite special purpose forces within Russia, a term that has become widely recognized globally. These units are integral to Russia’s military and security apparatus, …

Russia’s Spetsnaz [Special Designation] forces are light infantry forces that are largely configured for reconnaissance, counterinsurgency, and power-projection missions, more comparable to the U.S. …

Spetsnaz refers to a wide range of Russian special forces units, known for their rigorous training, versatility, and involvement in high-risk military operations and covert missions.

The word Spetsnaz does not require translation: it has entered into many languages to denote the highly effective special forces of modern Russia.