History and Background

During the 1960's the Soviet Union found that its naval installations on the Black Sea were being infiltrated by teams of NATO divers.  These divers gained intelligence for foreign forces and could be used to sabotage any future Soviet war effort.  The navy decided to train special troops to combat these divers.  The first underwater anti-sabotage team (PDSS) was formed in the Black Sea in the late 1960's.

The naval spetsnaz were to be organized into brigades, with one attached to each fleet.  The largest of these was the Black Sea brigade that operated out of Ocharkov.  Another unit (Brigade 42) operated from an island near Vladivostok.  Other bases included Baku on the Caspian Sea and Severomarsk.  In peacetime these brigades fell under the command of the fleet commander, but if war broke out the brigades would be reassigned as required.

During the massive defense build-up of the Brezhnev years spetsnaz forces grew in size and sophistication, but this was not to last.  The changing defense posture of the late 1980's saw gradual reductions in the size of the naval spetsnaz brigades.  By 1991 only the Black Sea brigade was still maintained at full strength, the others having been reduced to reflect the new Soviet attitude.

The defense reductions of the 1990's did not hit the naval spetsnaz as hard as they did other services.  One new development was the introduction of volunteers into the ranks.  Sailors who met the rigorous qualifications could be accepted into the elite force.  Even with this change the numbers remained small.  In 1995 the Black Sea detachment numbered around only 100 men (9 officers, 30 non-commissioned officers, and some 60 men).

Naval Spetsnaz Training

Originally the men from Spetsnaz were selected by local voenkomats in a manner similar to other conscripts.  They were also subject to other physical standards (weight between 130-180 pounds, and a minimum height between 5 feet 7 inches).  Exceptions could be given to exceptional individuals.  Almost all of those selected had some training from DOSAAF and many had parachuted at least once.  Like all naval conscripts these men serve for at least three years.

About a quarter of the conscripts were also selected to undergo training as non-commissioned officers.  The rest would pass through the Course of the Young Soldier like other conscripts, but their battalion commanders could reject up to 20% of them when they arrived at their unit for any reason.  In the post-Soviet era volunteers can attempt to join the spetsnaz if they meet all of the requirements.

When they arrive at their unit the men are extensively cross trained so that each can do the jobs of the other.  All the troops are also taught how to swim and work in the water with specialized diving gear.  They are also trained in the use of numerous weapons (AK-74, PSS-1, APS, and many explosives).

In wartime the major mission of the naval spetsnaz would be reconnaissance and the destruction of ships at anchor.  They would also attack bridges, docks, and costal installations.  They are also trained to assist the Naval Infantry during amphibious operations.  In this role they would help clear beaches, eliminate sentries, and neutralize key objectives.

Specialized Equipment and Weapons

The men of the naval spetsnaz use a variety of items designed specially for the underwater environment.  The make use of special submarines and powered sleds to move rapidly under the water.  Their underwater breathing gear is designed so that the do not leave the tell tale bubble trail that would give away their position to sentries on the surface.  The spetsnaz also make use of several unique weapons designed to fire underwater.  The first of these was the SPP-1 underwater pistol which entered service in 1971.  An underwater submachine gun known as the APS was also introduced.  The APS could operate at depths of 40 meters or on the surface.

Naval Spetsnaz Deployments

The men of the naval spetsnaz forces were often deployed in the Black Sea in an effort to stop foreign divers from infiltrating their naval facilities.  During the Cold War the naval spetsnaz located and often tampered with NATO listening devices on the ocean floor.

One of the more interesting missions of the naval spetsnaz forces occurred near Malta in November of 1989.  At that time they provided security for a meeting between Premier Gorbachev of the Soviet Union and President George Bush of the United States. During the three day mission a force of sixteen divers (operating in shifts) were ordered to fire upon anyone who came within 200 meters of U.S. or Soviet ships.

Sources Cited

Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have.

• Inside the Soviet Military, by Carey Schofield, published by Abbeville Press, New York, NY, 1991

• Soviet Small Arms and Ammunition, by D. N. Bolotin, published by Vammalan Kirjapaino Oy, Finland, 1995

• Modern Combat Gear, by Mark Lloyd, published by Longmeadow Press, Stamford, CT, 1988