When was Alpha Group created by Yuri Andropov?
Yuri Andropov issued a direct order to create Spetsgruppa A on the 28th of July 1974. This unit emerged from the shadow of the Munich massacre that had occurred two years prior.
Questions about Alpha Group
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 involving Alpha Group?
Soviet forces infiltrated Kabul under the pretense of guarding the embassy with twenty-four men from the Thunder detachment of Alpha Group. During a thirty-four-minute storming of Tajbeg Palace they assassinated President Hafizullah Amin along with his mistress and young son.
Who died during the seizure of the Vilnius TV Tower on January 13 1991?
Thirteen unarmed Lithuanian protesters died during the operation alongside one Alpha operative named Lt. Viktor Shatskikh. Shatskikh appeared to have been struck in the back by friendly fire.
How did Alpha Group change after the dissolution of the Soviet Union?
The dissolution of the Soviet Union severely downgraded Alpha Group's status and command structure. After the fall of the USSR both Alpha and Vympel were transferred to the newly formed Main Guard Directorate established on the basis of the KGB Ninth Chief Directorate.
What casualties occurred during the Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis in June 1995?
Only eighty-six out of more than fifteen hundred hostages were freed before rescuers retreated after four hours of fighting. The overall death toll exceeded one hundred twenty people including three Alpha members.