Military counterintelligence of the Soviet Army

Military counterintelligence within the Soviet Armed Forces was controlled by the nonmilitary Soviet secret police throughout the history of the USSR (1922 to 1991).

[citation needed][clarification needed] Military counterintelligence departments of the Soviet Armed Forces existed in all larger military formations, each called a Special Department (Russian: Особый отдел (ОсО)) or third department/section.

The staff of the Special Department would usually establish a secret network of informants.

TGU (ТГУ КГБ СССР, 3 ГУ КГБ СССР ('third')) functionaries were responsible for protection of the military units and of important servicemen (e.g. commanding officers) against activities of foreign military attaché offices/diplomats.

Source:[1]

Special Department ID belonging to state security senior Lieutenant from the Moscow Military District