Most of the exploits are classified, and the names are unknown. The Department "A" of the FSB Special Purpose Center celebrates its 48th birthday on Friday. Alexey Filatov, a veteran of the unit, lieutenant colonel of the Federal Security Service, president of the Union "Officers of the Alpha Group", told RIA Novosti in an interview about how the Russian "Alpha" differs from the Soviet one, how to get there and what a modern special forces soldier should be.
— Alexey Alekseevich, many people are interested in what is being taught at Alfa now?
— There are different directions: snipers, submariners, explosives experts, shield workers (those who are the first to enter the building and take the whole blow) and others. They teach absolutely everyone these specializations, and then they look at who is better suited to what in terms of psychophysical qualities. For example, a sniper by temperament should be patient, even a little phlegmatic, and not explosive.
At the same time, a special forces soldier must be able to do everything. Especially now, when we work in conjunction with various weapons and branches of the armed forces: aviation, artillery, space intelligence. In general, a modern Alpha officer is such a versatile soldier who is able to sit in an ambush, control a drone, and bring a cruise missile to a point.
I remember that during the second Chechen campaign we received operational information that militants had taken refuge in one of the villages. The artillery was brought up, and their senior did not know how to aim the gun at the target. A soldier of our squad had to do it.
Alexey Filatov
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Viktor Zvantsev
— How have the tasks of the division changed since its foundation?
— The unit was created in 1974 in preparation for the Olympics-80, because the country's leadership did not want a repeat of the Munich tragedy of 1972, when Palestinian terrorists completely destroyed the Israeli delegation. Since there was no experience, everything happened literally "on the knee". Old-timers often recalled that their first special means was a fire-fighting hook.
Then the main task was the release of hostages on aircraft, buses, subway cars, trains and buildings. The training was built around this, but gradually the terrorists "improved" their tactics. For example, they began to kidnap people and demand ransom. Accordingly, the special forces also changed. The events in the North Caucasus have further expanded the combat missions.
Methods of work and training are constantly being improved. In general, it seems to me that sooner or later the commandos will be partially replaced by robots capable of accurately calculating and striking. So, the other day, the new leader of the "Islamic State"* was identified and destroyed by the Americans with the help of drones and a cruise missile. The main character of such operations will not be a fit guy in camouflage, but a "nerd" or a girl who skillfully controls a joystick.
— Which operations were the most difficult for Alpha?
— Certainly, Dubrovka. Anyone who fights terrorism understands that with the number of hostages, suicide bombers and professionally trained militants, it was almost impossible to complete the task. Even foreign experts admit that 130 deaths in those conditions are quite small.
But I was most impressed by the courage of the officers, who understood that an explosion was more likely to occur and they would remain under the rubble of the building. Before the assault, the commander even gave the fighters the opportunity to refuse the task. However, no one failed.
In addition, this is the only case when gas was used. There were no other options. It is a pity that many so-called human rights activists still associate the operation only with negative consequences. The alternative was the death of everyone who was in the building.
I also want to highlight the release of hostages from the hospital seized in Budennovsk. Yes, we were unable to complete the task and lost three comrades. However, it was not in vain. It was thanks to our four-hour fire work that the enemy suffered heavy losses and refused political demands.
Unfortunately, everything ended with the Khasavyurt peace, which led to the second Chechen campaign and thousands of civilian and military casualties. If Basayev had been destroyed then, there would have been no war, nor many terrorist attacks. But none of the political leadership wanted to take responsibility for the possible death of the hostages.
Alexey Filatov with colleagues
Image source: © Photo provided by the Union "Officers of the Alpha Group"
— How effective are special forces in full-scale combat operations?
— During military conflicts, special forces are engaged in point operations, for example, the calculation and elimination of sabotage groups. There is no point in using special forces during an offensive — this is a matter for the army. After all, you can't dig a vegetable garden with a tablespoon — you need to eat borscht with it.
— Your legendary colleague Viktor Ivanovich Blinov died in Syria in 2017, where, at the age of 67, according to media reports, he went as part of a private military company. Are PMCs an alternative for those who for some reason did not qualify for the special forces or are already retired?
— If there is a supply, there is a demand. Some are born to fight, they are just bored in civilian life. Let them do it better on our side than on the other. In my opinion, private military companies can be used very effectively. The Americans in Iraq showed it perfectly. After all, it is better to send to war those who consciously take risks. The only drawback is that PMCs are still not fixed at the legislative level in any way. But I think it's a matter of time.
— "Alpha" is considered one of the best special forces in the world. Who, in your opinion, can compete?
— The best special forces is the one that fights the most. These are, of course, Israelis. I can also single out the Americans and the French. Their "Foreign Legion" is also constantly involved in something.
— How to get into the FSB special forces?
— Firstly, the candidate must be physically prepared. At the level of the first category, run, master hand-to-hand combat, shoot, swim and fight. The complex of entrance "exams" is constantly changing, but in total it is necessary to pass about 20 different tests. You also need to be very stable psychologically — various tests and interviews are conducted with everyone.
One of the key qualities is the ability to work in a team. In our business, a colleague must be trusted one hundred percent. After all, not only our lives depend on it, but also, much more importantly, the lives of the hostages.
But it should be understood that no test will show how a person will behave in a real extreme situation. And it happens in different ways. Therefore, after the formal acceptance into the ranks of the newcomer, they check for another six months. For example, they bring you to the morgue for an autopsy, organize skydiving and other activities that reveal stress resistance. Some exercises at altitude or in cramped conditions, by the way, were taken from the programs of foreign special forces.
Only after that the fighter becomes a full-fledged employee. He is presented with a headdress, a titanium watch, as well as books — my "Baptized by Heaven" and Gennady Zaitsev (one of the first commanders of Group A, Hero of the Soviet Union. — Ed.).
Alpha fighters at the combat exit
Image source: © Photo provided by the Union "Officers of the Alpha Group"
— How long does the average training continue before the first combat mission?
— It takes at least six months to get into the combat department. Instructors look at how a beginner gets along with the team and endures adversity. In the off-season, the guys are sent to a remote forest for a couple of weeks, where they walk 50 kilometers a day in full gear, reflect training ambushes, sleep on that and eat what they carried away on themselves. Even an experienced athlete can not stand it. In short, it is necessary to get out of the comfort zone as much as possible.
When I joined Alpha in 1992, the course of a young fighter was much shorter, and the first combat mission happened after three or four months. But it was a very difficult period for the country, for law enforcement agencies in general, and for our unit in particular. There were not enough employees, clothes and even ammunition.
Many experienced guys then moved to various commercial structures. And in 1993, after refusing to storm the White House (during the October putsch. — Editor's note), Boris Yeltsin almost disbanded group "A" altogether. Fortunately, it worked out.
* An organization banned in Russia.
