Editing Spetsnaz (section)

===After the breakup of Soviet Union===
[[File:Spetsnaz troopers during the 1992 Tajik war.jpg|thumb|Russian Spetsnaz troops dismount from an [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]] during the [[Tajikistani Civil War]].]]
[[File:Battalion Vostok 3.jpg|left|thumb|Ethnic [[Chechen people|Chechen]] soldiers of [[Sulim Yamadayev]]'s [[Special Battalions Vostok and Zapad|Special Battalion ''Vostok'']] during the [[2008 Russo-Georgian War]].]]

After the collapse of the USSR, spetsnaz forces of the Soviet Union's newly formed republics took part in many local conflicts such as the [[Tajikistani Civil War]], [[Chechen–Russian conflict|Chechen Wars]], [[Russo-Georgian War]] and the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]]. Spetsnaz forces also have been called upon to resolve several high-profile hostage situations such as the [[Moscow theater hostage crisis|Moscow theatre hostage crisis]] and the [[Beslan school hostage crisis]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/06/special.ops/|title=18 famous and infamous special forces missions|publisher=CNN|date=7 May 2011|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref>

====Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis====
{{main|Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis}}
The [[Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis|crisis]] took place from 14 to 19 June 1995, when a group of 80 to 200 Chechen terrorists led by [[Shamil Basayev]] attacked the southern Russian city of [[Budyonnovsk]], where they stormed the main police station and the city hall. After several hours of fighting and Russian reinforcements imminent, the Chechens retreated to the residential district and regrouped in the city hospital, where they took between 1,500 and 1,800 hostages, most of them civilians (including about 150 children and a number of women with newborn infants).<ref name="timeline">{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.agentura.ru/timeline/1995/basaev/ Буденновск] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006144310/http://www.agentura.ru/timeline/1995/basaev/|date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

After three days of siege, the Russian authorities ordered the security forces to retake the hospital compound. The forces deployed were elite personnel from the [[Federal Security Service]]'s Alpha Group, alongside MVD militsiya and Internal Troops. The strike force attacked the hospital compound at dawn on the fourth day, meeting fierce resistance. After several hours of fighting in which many hostages were killed by crossfire, a local ceasefire was agreed, and 227 hostages were released; 61 others were freed by the Russian forces.

A second Russian attack on the hospital a few hours later also failed and so did a third, resulting in even more casualties. The Russian authorities accused the Chechens of using the hostages as human shields.

According to official figures, 129 civilians were killed and 415 were injured in the entire event (of whom 18 later died of their wounds).<ref name=history>[http://www.gazeta.ru/2002/10/24/HistoryofChe.shtml History of Chechen rebels' hostage taking] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911035328/http://www.gazeta.ru/2002/10/24/HistoryofChe.shtml|date=11 September 2016 }} [[Gazeta.Ru]], 24 October 2002</ref> This includes at least 105 hostage fatalities.<ref name="timeline"/> However, according to an independent estimate 166 hostages were killed and 541 injured in the special forces attack on the hospital.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081010204904/http://www.rferl.org/content/Article/1070937.html Russia: A Timeline Of Terrorism Since 1995], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], 30 August 2006</ref><ref>Adam Dolnik, ''Understanding Terrorist Innovation: Technology, Tactics and Global Trends'', 2007 (p. 105)</ref> At least 11 Russian police officers and 14 soldiers were killed.<ref name="timeline"/> Basayev's force suffered 11 men killed and one missing; most of their bodies were returned to Chechnya in a special freezer truck. In the years following the hostage-taking, more than 40 of the surviving attackers were tracked down and have been assassinated, including [[Aslambek Abdulkhadzhiev]] in 2002 and Shamil Basayev in 2006, and more than 20 were sentenced, by the Stavropol territorial court, to various terms of imprisonment.

====Kizlyar-Pervomayskoye hostage crisis====
{{main|Kizlyar-Pervomayskoye hostage crisis}}
The mass [[Kizlyar-Pervomayskoye hostage crisis|sieges]] which saw people taken in the thousands also involved FSB's Alpha Group and the [[Special Forces of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces|Spetsnaz GRU]] in attempted rescuing of the hostages.

==== Second Chechen War ====
{{main|Second Chechen War}}
Russian special forces were instrumental in Russia's and the Kremlin backed government's success in the [[Second Chechen War]] after learning lessons from the mishandling of the [[First Chechen War|first war]]. Under joint command of ''Unified Group of Troops (OGV)'' formed on 23 September 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://russiandefpolicy.com/tag/ogvs/|title=Simmering War|publisher=Russian Defense Policy|date=15 September 2018}}</ref> GRU, FSB and MVD spetsnaz operators conducted a myriad of [[counter-insurgency]] and counter-terrorism operations, including [[targeted killing]]s of separatist leadership, in the meantime inflicting heavy casualties among Islamist separatists. Some of these successful missions were directed against separatist leaders such as [[Aslan Maskhadov]], [[Abdul Halim Sadulayev]], [[Dokka Umarov]], [[Akhmadov brothers]], [[Turpal-Ali Atgeriyev]], [[Akhmed Avtorkhanov]], [[Ibn al-Khattab]], [[Abu al-Walid]], [[Abu Hafs al-Urduni]], [[Muhannad (mujahid emir)|Muhannad]], [[Ali Taziev]], [[Supyan Abdullayev]], [[Shamil Basayev]], [[Ruslan Gelayev]], [[Salman Raduyev]], [[Sulim Yamadayev]], [[Rappani Khalilov]], [[Yassir al-Sudani]]. During these missions, many operators received honors for their courage and prowess in combat, including with the title [[Hero of the Russian Federation]]. At least 106 FSB and GRU operators died during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyguy.com/chechen_war_two.html|title=The Second Chechen War|work=The History Guy|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref>

====Moscow theatre hostage crisis====
{{main|Moscow theater hostage crisis}}

The crisis was the seizure of the crowded Dubrovka Theatre on 23 October 2002 by 40 to 50 armed [[Chechen people|Chechens]] who claimed allegiance to the [[Chechen Republic of Ichkeria|Islamist militant separatist movement in Chechnya]].{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} They took 850 hostages and demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya and an end to the [[Second Chechen War]]. The siege was officially led by [[Movsar Barayev]].

Due to the disposition of the theatre, special forces would have had to fight through {{convert|100|ft|m}} of corridor and attack up a well defended staircase, before they could reach the hall in where the hostages were held. The terrorists also had explosive devices. The most powerful of these was in the center of the [[auditorium]]; if detonated, it could have brought down the ceiling and caused casualties in excess of 80% of the auditorium's occupants.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/7y898kOMpAg Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150718014550/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y898kOMpAg Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y898kOMpAg|title=The Moscow Theatre Siege Documentary|work=YouTube|date=22 October 2013 |access-date=15 October 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After a two-and-a-half-day siege and the execution of two hostages, spetsnaz operators from the [[Federal Security Service]] (FSB) [[Alpha Group|Alpha]] and [[Vympel|Vympel a.k.a. Vega Groups]], supported by the [[Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs]] (MVD) [[SOBR]] unit, pumped an [[Moscow hostage crisis chemical agent|undisclosed chemical agent]] into the building's [[Mechanical ventilation|ventilation]] system and raided it.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

During the raid, all of the attackers were killed, with no casualties among spetsnaz, but about 130 hostages, including nine foreigners, died due to poor first aid after falling unconscious from the gas. Most died after being evacuated from the theatre and laid outside on their backs instead of in the approved recovery position and then choking to death. Russian security agencies refused to disclose the gas used in the attack leading to doctors in local hospitals being unable to respond adequately to the influx of casualties.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20067384 Moscow theatre siege: Questions remain unanswered] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104210523/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20067384|date=4 January 2016}} [[BBC]] Retrieved on 16 December 2013</ref> All but two of the hostages who died during the siege were killed by the toxic substance pumped into the theatre to subdue the militants.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2365383.stm|title=Gas "killed Moscow hostages", ibid.}}</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2602945.stm "Moscow court begins siege claims"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2602945.stm|date=5 March 2016}}, [[BBC News]], 24 December 2002</ref> The use of the gas was widely condemned as heavy-handed.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2371691.stm | work=BBC News | title=Moscow siege gas 'not illegal' | date=29 October 2002 | access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref>

Physicians in Moscow condemned the refusal to disclose the identity of the gas that prevented them from saving more lives. Some reports said the drug [[naloxone]] was used to save some hostages.<ref name="nal">{{cite magazine|last=MacKenzie|first=Debora|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2979-mystery-of-russian-gas-deepens.html|title=Mystery of Russian gas deepens|magazine=[[New Scientist]]|date=29 October 2002|access-date=15 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809113949/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2979-mystery-of-russian-gas-deepens.html|archive-date=9 August 2010}}</ref>

====Beslan school siege====
{{Main|Beslan school siege}}
[[File:Beslan school no 1 victim photos.jpg|thumb|Beslan school victim photos]]
Also referred to as the '''Beslan massacre'''<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4608785.stm Beslan mothers' futile quest for relief] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805203004/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4608785.stm|date=5 August 2016}}, [[BBC News]], 4 June 2005</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://moscow.usembassy.gov/transcript-17.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013013827/http://moscow.usembassy.gov/transcript-17.html | archive-date=13 October 2008 | title=United States Expresses Sympathy on Anniversary of Beslan Attack | publisher=US Department of State | date=31 August 2005 | access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="legacy">{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/putins-legacy-is-a-massacre-say-the-mothers-of-beslan-787280.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/putins-legacy-is-a-massacre-say-the-mothers-of-beslan-787280.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Putin's legacy is a massacre, say the mothers of Beslan | newspaper= [[The Independent]] |date= 26 February 2008 |access-date= 15 October 2014}}</ref> started on 1 September 2004, lasted three days and involved the capture of over 1,100 people as hostages (including 777 children),<ref name=unicef>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/russia/media_4875.html|title=Beslan – Two Years On|date=31 August 2006|publisher=[[UNICEF]]|access-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404112922/http://www.unicef.org/russia/media_4875.html|archive-date=4 April 2009}}</ref> ending with the death of 334 people. The event led to security and political repercussions in Russia; in the aftermath of the crisis, there has been an increase in [[Ingush people|Ingush]]–[[Ossetians|Ossetian]] ethnic hostility, while contributing to a series of federal government reforms consolidating power in the [[Moscow Kremlin|Kremlin]] and strengthening of the powers of the [[President of Russia]].<ref name="shadow">{{cite news|url=http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/1030/42/356028.htm|title=Chechnya Vow Cast a Long Shadow|newspaper=The Moscow Times|date=26 February 2008|access-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813163236/http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/1030/42/356028.htm|archive-date=13 August 2008}}</ref>

The crisis began when a group of armed radical Islamist combatants, mostly Ingush and Chechen, occupied School Number One (SNO) in the town of [[Beslan]], [[North Ossetia–Alania|North Ossetia]] (an [[autonomous republic]] in the [[North Caucasus]] region of the [[Russia|Russian Federation]]) on 1 September 2004. The hostage-takers were the [[Riyadus-Salikhin Reconnaissance and Sabotage Battalion of Chechen Martyrs|Riyadus-Salikhin Battalion]], sent by the Chechen terrorist warlord Shamil Basayev, who demanded recognition of the independence of [[Chechnya]] at the [[United Nations]] and the withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya.

On the third day of the standoff, counter terrorism units stormed the building using heavy weapons after several explosions rocked the building and children started escaping. It was in this chaos most of the officers were killed, trying to protect escaping children from gun fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csr9TPGPoxs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211110/csr9TPGPoxs| archive-date=10 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=Beslan School Massacre, Dramatic Scenes (2004)|work=YouTube| date=24 August 2011|access-date=16 October 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Satter">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/907jbmkm.asp?pg=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211020/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/907jbmkm.asp?pg=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2007|title=The Truth About Beslan. What Putin's government is covering up.|first=David|last=Satter|author-link=David Satter|magazine=[[The Weekly Standard]]|volume=12|issue=9|date=13 November 2006|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> At least 334 hostages were killed as a result of the crisis, including 186 children.<ref name="last_casualty">{{cite news|date=8 December 2006|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2006/12/08/woman_injured_in_2004_russian_siege_dies/|title=Woman injured in 2004 Russian siege dies|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=9 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017001115/http://boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2006/12/08/woman_injured_in_2004_russian_siege_dies/ |archive-date=17 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2 September 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4207112.stm|title=Putin meets angry Beslan mothers|work=BBC News|access-date=28 July 2006}}</ref> Official reports on how many members of Russia's special forces died in the fighting varied from 11, 12, 16 (7 Alpha and 9 Vega) to more than 20<ref name=arguedbefore>{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Peter|author-link1=Peter Baker (author)|author2=Susan B. Glasser|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1256-2004Sep6.html|title=Hostage Takers in Russia Argued Before Explosion|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=7 September 2004|access-date=4 September 2017}}</ref> killed. There are only 10 names on the special forces monument in Beslan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.rin.ru/eng/news/9303/2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018162318/http://news.rin.ru/eng/news/9303/2/|archive-date=18 October 2007|title=Monument to special forces and rescuers unveiled in Beslan|publisher=NEWS.rin.ru|date=2 September 2006|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> The fatalities included all three commanders of the assault group: Colonel Oleg Ilyin, Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Razumovsky of Vega, and Major Alexander Perov of Alpha.<ref>{{cite news | date=18 October 2004 | title=More and more evidence implicates authorities in Beslan disaster. Beslan's tragic end: Spontaneous or planned? | url=http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/8415-17.cfm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041020061807/http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/8415-17.cfm | archive-date=20 October 2004 |access-date=15 October 2014 | publisher=jamestown.org}}</ref> At least 30 commandos suffered serious wounds.<ref name="after">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/international/europe/13russia.html?pagewanted=print&position=&_r=0 | title=After School Siege, Russia Also Mourns Secret Heroes | newspaper=The New York Times | date=13 September 2004 | access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref>