8th Special Forces Detachment

Spetsnaz
Spetsnaz is an umbrella term (used for many different things) for special forces in Russian language and is used in numerous post-Soviet states. Historically, the term meant a special operations units controlled by the main military intelligence service GRU (Spetsnaz GRU). It also describes task forces of other ministries (such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs' ODON and Ministry of Emergency Situations' special rescue unit) in post-Soviet countries.

Best of the Best
By virtue of their flexibility and capacity to be deployed quickly and deeply, the Spetsnaz continue to be the “tip of the spear,” used to reconnoiter and clear the route for their heavier and slower but more-survivable regular comrades. Like any special forces, they can strike hard but are dangerously fragile when unable to rely on their usual assets of speed, stealth, and surprise.

What Are We Known For?
The Spetsnaz often conducted missions to ambush and destroy enemy supply-convoys. The Mujahideen had great respect for the Spetsnaz, seeing them as a much more difficult opponent than the typical Soviet conscript soldier. They said that the Spetsnaz-led air assault operations had changed the complexion of the war.

Official Website[8thsfd.com]