Spetsnaz GRU

Spetsnaz GRU, formally known as Special Forces of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, (Russian: Части и подразделения специального назначения Главного управления Генерального штаба Вооружённых сил Российской Федерации) is the special forces (spetsnaz) of the GRU, the foreign military intelligence agency of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Spetsnaz units are operationally commanded by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, and are sourced to the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian Navy, and the Russian Airborne Forces. Spetsnaz troops are used for reconnaissance and sabotage, and are not special operations forces. GRU spetsnaz are separate from the Special Operations Forces Command (KSSO). Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, most Ground Forces-sourced spetsnaz brigades have been assigned to Ministry of Defense groups of forces.