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

The following is an excerpt from Mark Galeotti's book, "Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine." Most countries' special forces emphasize physical fitness, determination and aggression. Russia's ...

elite units - the "Spetsnaz" - parachuted into the football stadium to deal with a hostage scenario. In a dramatic training video released by Russia's internal security service, the FSB ...