Special forces of Ukraine
The term 'Alpha' is also used by many other post-Soviet states (such as Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan), as these units are based on the Soviet Union's Alpha Group.
Of the initial 120 KGB candidates, only 15 passed the rigorous selection course to establish the first detachment under the leadership of commander Peter Feliksovich Zakrevskii.
[7] Ukraine's Berkut ("eagle"), a special police force, was perhaps the nation's most well known Spetsnaz unit and served under the Ministry of Internal Affairs until its dissolution in 2014.
During the subsequent annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the war in Donbas the new government was hesitant to use these forces as they were seen as symbols of the previous regime.
Ukraine's 3rd Separate Spetsnaz Regiment has been responsible for defending the Donetsk International Airport which has faced nearly daily battles since May 2014.
Troops thought to be SBU Alpha were seen heavily armed and carrying AKM rifles; military jets could also be seen flying over Kyiv.
[21] By 23 February the police presence in Independence Square had dissipated, which was unusual as it was not part of an agreement signed by the new government.
Ukrainian government immediately began a process of mobilization and the creation of reserve forces such as a National Guard.
[28] Despite having lost many members, Ukrainian Spetsnaz was called to service in April 2014 once Russian insurgents began to advance into Ukraine.
On 15 April, Spetsnaz unit Omega stormed the airfield retaking it and capturing an undisclosed number of pro-Russian insurgents in the process.
On 25 April insurgents launched a failed attempt to retake the airfield destroying a Mil Mi-8 helicopter and an An-2 transport.
The Ukrainian military counterattacked and an Omega special forces unit was air lifted unto the scene to help local troops drive back the attackers.
In the ensuing 6 hour battle government troops recaptured all buildings from separatists and hoisted the Ukrainian flag over the city hall.
[36] Spetsnaz forces have also been responsible for locating and neutralizing terrorist cells operating deep inside of Ukraine, clearing cities that had been recaptured from insurgents, as well as searching for potential saboteurs.
The 3rd Separate Spetsnaz Regiment earned the nickname "Cyborgs"[citation needed] and has been involved in the Second Battle of Donetsk Airport.
The airport's garrison has been able to withstand attacks by Russian T-72 tanks, Grad and Uragan rocket artillery, as well as 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortars without any air support.
By September, Russian Spetsnaz forces began to actively aid the rebels in assaulting the airport, however, they only managed to advance 500 meters closer to the complex by the end of the month.
A statement from the prosecutor's office of the Odesa Oblast stated that Spetsnaz forces were used to secure the refinery's assets.
Prosecutors attempted to enter the refinery on 17 October 2014 to enforce a court decision to confiscate the refinery's assets but were stopped by security, therefore the decision to use Spetsnaz forces to secure the premises and carry out the previous court order was made by the prosecutor's office.
[43][44] On 5 December 2016, Ukrainian separatist media claimed a Canadian citizen reportedly serving with the 73rd Special Naval Center, was killed during an operation near Vodyanoye.
