Vympel
|
Spetsgruppa "B" "Vympel" |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1981–present |
| Country |
 Soviet Union (1981–1991) Russian Federation (1991–) |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role |
Counter-terrorism Special operations |
| Size | ≈ 1000 operators |
| Part of |
 FSB (1991–present) |
| Garrison/HQ | Mainly different Moscow districts |
| Colors | Green or Red |
| Mascot(s) | Parachute |
Spetsgruppa "B" (Cyrillic for V), often referred to as Vympel (pennant in Russian, originated from Dutch wimpel, and having the same meaning), but also known as KGB Directorate "B" , Vega Group is a Russian spetsnaz unit, mostly under the command of the FSB, but some teams under GRU.
Vympel is the sister unit of Spetsgruppa "A"(Alpha Group), a KGB/FSB unit, while some soldiers have stayed part of the GRU, specialized in counter-terrorism missions.
The exact lineage of Vympel is not known but the unit was formed in 1981 by the KGB Maj. Gen. Yuri Ivanovich Drozdov within the First Chief Directorate of the KGB, as a dedicated spetsnaz unit specialised in deep penetration, sabotage, universal direct and covert action, protection of Soviet embassies and espionage cell activation in case of war. Most of the Vympel operatives mastered two or three foreign languages since they were intended to act in foreign countries, deep behind enemy lines. Vympel was tasked with assassinating the top leadership of enemy states and destroying strategic infrastructure in the critical "special period," when the outbreak of war between the superpowers would have been unavoidable.
Vympel quickly gained the reputation of being among the best Soviet special forces units, surpassing its GRU and MVD counterparts. However, after the collapse of the USSR, Vympel was decimated by endless re-organisation and re-definition. It passed under the aegis of the Security Ministry before being receded to the GUO (the two institutions were short-lived offspring of the ex-KGB during the Boris Yeltsin era) and finally passed to the MVD (Interior Ministry). However, the militsiya had no use for such a unit. The bulk of the Vympel operatives could not stand the humiliation of being subordinated to the police, and duly resigned: of 278 officers, only 57 chose to remain within the MVD. The unit was renamed "Vega."
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