Special Forces of Belarus
| Spetsnaz of Belarus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 2007–present |
| Country |
 Belarus |
| Type |
Special forces |
| Role |
Strategic deterrence |
| Size | 6,000 |
| Part of | Armed Forces of Belarus |
| Motto(s) | Anywhere, anytime, any task |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General Vadim Denisenko |
Like all post-Soviet states, Belarus inherited its special forces (Spetsnaz) units from the remnants of the Soviet armed forces, GRU and KGB units.
Belarus's units conduct joint exercises with the Armed Forces of Russia in which the nation's special forces participate extensively. Belarus's ruling party has been accused of using its special forces to assassinate opposition leaders.[1][2]
Army special operations forces include:[3]
- 38th Guards Air Assault Brigade (Brest)
- 103rd Guards Mobile Brigade (Vitebsk)
- 5th Spetsnaz Brigade (Marina Gorka)
There are units to perform the tasks of particular importance:
- 33rd Guards Spetsnaz Detachment (complete with officers and warrant officers)
- A special purpose detachment of 5th Spetsnaz Brigade (known as "company officer")
- 527th Spetsnaz Company
- 22nd Spetsnaz Company (Western Operational Command)
KGB of Belarus is the Belarusian national intelligence agency. It was formed from the inherited personnel and operators after the break up of the Soviet Union. The agency controls its own Spetsgruppa "A" (Alpha Group), which is the country's primary counter-terrorism unit.
References
- ↑ "Belarus: Special Forces Again Implicated In Opposition Disappearances". Radio Free Europe. 28 Aug 2001.
- ↑ "Pskov paratroopers and Belarus special forces to conduct manoeuvres in April". EN-TAS. 2 Apr 2014.
- ↑ "Special Operations Forces". www.mil.by. Belarus Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 2016-10-20.