The Alpha Special Operations Unit (official name — Management "A" of the Special Operations Center of the Federal Security Service of Russia) is one of the most famous and effective anti-terrorism units in the world. Over decades of operation, "Alpha" has conducted hundreds of successful operations for the liberation of hostages, neutralization of terrorists, and ensuring the safety of citizens. The unit was created in response to the growth of international terrorism, especially after the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where eleven members of the Israeli team were killed. History of Creation The Alpha Group was formed on July 29, 1974, based on an order by the Chairman of the KGB of the USSR Yuri Andropov No. 0089/OV ("Special Importance"). Initially, the unit consisted of 30 people and was part of the 7th Department of the KGB. It was staffed exclusively with employees of state security agencies who possessed special moral and volitional qualities, high physical fitness, and the ability to make quick decisions in extreme situations. The first commander of the unit was Hero of the Soviet Union, participant in the battles for Damansky Island Vladimir Bubennik. Unlike many other special operations units, people were never recruited to "Alpha" by order — only volunteers. Today, the desire to serve in this elite unit remains immense, despite the candidates knowing about the risks associated with this work. “Before the employees of Management "A" are tasks: prevention of terrorist acts and other particularly dangerous offenses aimed at seizing foreign diplomatic missions, their employees, particularly important objects, as well as crew members and passengers on transport facilities.” First Operations and Combat Baptism The first special operation carried out by the "Alpha" staff was on March 28, 1979 — the armed terrorist who had penetrated the territory of the US Embassy in Moscow was neutralized. The unit received a serious combat baptism o ... Read more