SPECNAZ

SPECNAZ, or more popularly SPETSNAZ (romanized from СПЕЦНАЗ), short for SPECialnogo NAZnacheniya (romanized from СПЕЦиального НАЗначения) means Special Purpose or Special Operations and is the term used in Russia for special purpose units. No one unit is called SPECNAZ, but many units exist that are described as being SPECNAZ. The term in itself has little meaning it comes to the level of the unit described but it has taken on an almost mythical meaning among less informed people.

The following Ministires and Federal Services have armed special purpose units:

1. Ministry of Defence

2. Ministry of Interior

3. Ministry of Affairs of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief

4. Federal Security Service (FSB)

5. Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN)

6. Federal Protective Service (FSO)

7. Federal Customs Service (FTS)

8. Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN)

9. Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)