In 1918, the decision was made in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army to create the Main Intelligence Directorate, which should engage in intelligence activities both behind enemy lines and within the country. This activity was necessary to provide the General Staff of the army with information about a potential enemy.
After the war of 1941-1945, after analyzing the experience of hostilities, it was decided to create a special forces unit on the basis of the GRU to conduct sabotage activities behind enemy lines, as well as conduct deep reconnaissance during the hostilities. Also, in peacetime, GRU special forces should be engaged in actions to eliminate terrorists and counterintelligence work. Therefore, the special forces of the Main Intelligence Directorate recruited the best of the best, those who were to perform complex and not always unambiguous tasks. The GRU special forces soldier should not only be physically resilient, but also mentally prepared for any turn of events. Therefore, the training of fighters was carried out in two directions:
- in terms of physical fitness and endurance;
- in psychophysiological moral training.
The selection of fighters
In the GRU special forces, they can choose to serve as a soldier from any military unit, if by indicators he is suitable for service in this unit. To do this, you must have:
- suitability for service in the Airborne Forces;
- a category in military-applied sports (shooting, parachuting, running, hand-to-hand combat).
Training
Like sixty years ago, the first thing that starts training for the future commando is physical endurance. At this stage, during six months of training, the special forces soldier has a minimum duration of sleep (from 3 to 5 hours a day) and a strict daily routine, which takes place in training on:
- shooting;
- running;
- hand-to-hand combat;
- physical and moral-psychological preparation.
The toughest selection occurs during the first month of classes, when most candidates are screened out.
"Empty" training has not been held since 1951, each training task is a quest for conditional survival - to destroy the enemy and at the same time survive by himself. Therefore, classes are held as close as possible to the combat situation. For example, if classes are held in hand-to-hand combat, then the training battle takes place in full contact.
